Agenda item

To consider the WISE Fly Tipping Enforcement Review Report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 23 November 2022.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise and comment on the report and if required to make recommendations or observations as appropriate.

Cabinet members invited to attend for this item: Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place and Councillor Bobbie Dove, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.  The Committee was advised of the work carried out since May 2022 with the Councils Communications Team and Waste Compliance Officers in line with recommendations made to Cabinet, the report summarised some of the learning from other Local Authorities and provided an update on the performance and data of the pilot. In the subsequent discussion a number of points were raised and responded to by the Portfolio Holder and Officers including:

·       The option outlined appeared to be the economically best option for the Council.

·       There was concern regarding the economic viability of the outlined option and whether all other options had been explored. It was confirmed that it was cost neutral to the council, which was why officers were recommending this approach. There was an intention to go out to tender, market testing had been very positive so this would be the next step.

·       Residents leaving things outside their houses for others to collect and consequently receiving fines. It was suggested that there could be schemes to support this kind of community recycling and reusing as there were elsewhere.

·       It was noted that the hours of Household Waste Centres were reduced many years ago to reduce costs and based on usage data. Use of these were also free in most circumstances.

·       The rate of returns in the pilot and fines issued, including the issues for following through with pursuing Fixed Penalty Notices. Concerns were raised regarding the number of fines paid. The payment rates for duty of care inspections were favourable. Prosecutions were costly and time consuming and efforts would be focused on persistent offenders.

·       Concerns around RIPA in terms of activities undertaken in the pilot. It was noted that it was not deemed to require RIPA approval as it was not targeted covert surveillance. The officers were visible in full uniforms and were not targeting anyone.

·       Whether dog fouling was included wasn’t and required a PSPO to b. It wasn’t and would require a PSPO in place in order to enforce this. However, it would be included as litter if within a plastic bag. Concerns were raised that dog waste bins had been removed.

·       Whether litter thrown from cars to roadside verges was covered through the scheme. Litter thrown from cars in car parks would be covered but an evidence base would be needed.

·       Concern was raised regarding enforcement on this issue as it was not always welcomed, including hostility to the use of body cameras before it had been established if there had been an offence committed.

·       Concerns were expressed that the detail on the other options within the report were not as clear as the preferred option.

·       How use of officers’ time would be allocated to different areas within the conurbation, including the district centres.

·       It was noted that fines wouldn’t be issued to under 18s but enforcement officers would seek to engage with them.

The Chairman outlined the recommendations within the Cabinet report and asked the Committee if these were accepted.

RESOLVED: That the Committee accepted the recommendations as outlined within the Cabinet report

Voting: 8 for; 0 against; 2 abstentions.