Flytipping on the increase
An increase in recorded fly tips is just ‘the tip of the iceberg’ – but district and county councils set out their plans to combat the issue.
Fly-tipping incidents in West Sussex have increased – but the thousands of cases officially recorded could be just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, a group has warned.
Councils recorded 5,731 flytipping incidents between April 2019 and March 2020, up by 7.16 per cent on the previous year, government figures have shown.
But the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents thousands of rural businesses, said the figures did not include the ‘vast majority’ of fly-tips on private land.
CLA president Mark Bridgeman said: “While these figures are alarming, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“Cases of fly-tipping on privately owned land are significantly more than on public land so these government figures do not reflect the true scale of this type of organised crime, which blights our rural communities.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) data showed that Chichester District Council reported 1,011 fly tipping incidents in 2019/20 and Arun District Council reported the highest number of incidents in West Sussex at 1,455 – up 35.73 per cent.
DEFRA also revealed the extent of action taken by councils against fly-tippers.
Taking action
West Sussex authorities took action in 789 cases, according to the figures. This included 379 fixed penalty notices (FPNS) – all issued by Arun – for littering ‘in conjunction with fly-tipping’.
An Arun District Council spokesman said: “We consider fly tipping to consist of a black bin liner, or larger in size, being dumped in one location.
“We have recently been granted powers to issue FPNS of £400 for fly-tipping and have only issued a couple so far. We would rather not be in the position where any action is needed and urge those responsible to dispose of items correctly in the first place.
“It was hard to decipher the data provided but we believe the table shows more than 300 fines issued and it seems that both littering FPNS of £80 and fly-tipping FPNS have been combined.”
Warning letters were sent out in 358 cases, while 32 statutory notices – official warnings that could lead to prosecution if council orders are not followed – were issued and 18 fixed penalty notices ‘specifically for fly-tipping’ were recorded.
Play your part
Chichester District Council asked residents to help prevent fly tipping in the district.
A council spokesman said: “Fly tipping is an offence that we take very seriously. Around £380,000 of taxpayers’ money is spent every year clearing up fly tips in the Chichester district and we have taken a number of steps to tackle this issue, which is both unsightly and poses an environmental risk to our beautiful district.
“Our environmental protection officers investigate fly tips, gathering evidence to try and catch those responsible. Our residents can also play a really important role in helping to prevent fly tipping. When fly tipping occurs, it is often carried out by illegal waste carriers who take away the waste from homes and businesses for a bargain fee, but then illegally dispose of this on roads or land. What’s important to know is if you pay someone to remove your waste and this is then fly tipped, you can be held responsible. This could result in a prosecution and a fine. We’d urge people check the details of any waste carrier they are considering using on the Environment Agency’s website.”
Five-point plan
Mr Bridgeman argued tougher action was needed to stop fly-tipping incidents increasing further.
The CLA has produced a five-point plan calling on councils, the Environment Agency and police forces to commit to stronger action against fly-tipping on private land – together with reforms. Mr Bridgeman said: “Part of the problem is that it’s currently too simple to gain a waste carrying licence that enables firms to transport and dispose of waste – and this needs urgent reform with correct checks put in place.”
No excuse
West Sussex County Council operates tips across the county.
This week, a spokesman said: “Fly-tipping is both criminal and antisocial and there is no excuse for it regardless of the policy at household waste recycling sites (HWRSS).
“Large-scale fly-tipping is perpetrated by rogue traders and other criminals and is, in any case, often outside the scope and scale of household waste permitted at the sites.
“Fly-tipping has been on the increase nationally in recent years regardless of the changes to HWRSS. Those who perpetrate it risk large fines or imprisonment if convicted.
“Householders can avoid unwittingly contributing to fly-tipping by ensuring that if they pay anyone to take waste away, they are a reputable company or local trader with a waste carrier’s licence.
“Changes are currently being implemented at HWRSS to make the experience of visiting sites quicker and easier for West Sussex residents.”
As reported last week, West Sussex County Council said several of its household waste recycling sites had recently experienced queuing traffic, long waiting times and disruption to residents, businesses and the highway network.
Last week, a county council spokesman said: “We have issued social media posts and email bulletins to remind residents that they should currently only visit a HWRS if it is essential and if their waste poses a potential risk of injury or harm to health.
“Where possible, we are asking residents to make full use of their kerbside collections, and store waste that does not pose a risk. We are reviewing the situation on a daily basis, and are considering all options.”