‘Council to blame for increase in fly-tipping’
‘DRACONIAN POLICY’ OF CHARGING FOR BULK COLLECTONS BLASTED
A SURGE in fly-tipping across Charnwood since October 2019 is down to a change of policy by the borough council, a councillor claims.
Loughborough councillor Mary Draycott says the fly-tipping issue has been a particular problem in the east of Loughborough and in the Hasting ward she represents.
She told sister paper the Loughborough Echo she had received a number of complaints “mainly from blocks of flats about communal areas being used for dumping of goods, ie, furniture and white goods.
“In addition, unwanted items are being left on waste grounds and on pavements.”
Coun Draycott believes the increase is due to the “draconian policy” introduced by the Charnwood Conservative cabinet members in July 2019.
She said: “They agreed to change the policy of free bulk collections to one of charging £20 for up to three items each time for the service starting October 2019.
“In a report to Cabinet on June 4, a review of the first six months was considered. The report was over a period of five months due to the Covid-19 emergency.
“In agreeing to start charging, it was anticipated in the first six months £30,000 would be raised. The actual income raised in the five months was £52,353.
“However, the report also stated for the same period the equivalent tonnage collected dropped by 40 per cent from 5,000 to 2,000. It is also stated there had been an overall increase of 10 per cent in fly-tipping incidents.
“I am convinced the introduction of this policy is the reason for the increased fly-tipping across Loughborough and Charnwood. You have to ask yourself if normally there is 5,000 tons collected and it is down to 2,000, where are all those other items?”
“I and Labour colleagues challenged this introduction and the very reasons we gave for doing so have sadly been proved correct. In addition, in the ward I represent there are a large number of flats, where there are bin areas on the ground floor and various items are being left in there. They are becoming a source of anti-social behaviour and crime but, as importantly, a fire hazard.
“The increased income the council has received by introducing this charge plus more is now needed to pay to remove this extra fly-tipping and dumping that has taken place across the borough.
“The council’s cabinet members did not accept that to introduce a charge would be prohibitive for some who are on low incomes.
“During lockdown since March, there is much more unemployment and a lot of people are struggling to pay even the basic bills. It’s proved a disaster and a rethink by the council is needed urgently if Loughborough and surrounding areas are to look their best.”
In reply, a Charnwood Borough Council spokesman said: “A total of 383 fly-tipping incidents were reported between October 2019 and February 2020. This is an overall 10 per cent increase on the same five months in the previous year before charges for bulky waste collections were introduced.
“Whilst there has been an increase in incidents, the fly-tipping of items typically collected through the bulky waste service, such as white goods and electrical items, slightly reduced from 31 to 29 over the same period. We recognise some residents experience financial hardship and eligible residents can apply for the bulky waste charge to be waived through the exceptional hardship scheme.
“It’s worth reminding people it is the individual’s responsibility to ensure waste is disposed of correctly, even if someone clears the rubbish on their behalf and then dumps it illegally.
“If the rubbish can be traced back to the original owner, it will be them who could end up with a fine or in court.”
Report fly-tipping on 01509 634564 or at: