Increase in fly-tipping blamed on council policy
REPORTS of increased fly-tipping in Charnwood since October 2019, is down to a change of policy by the borough council, says Loughborough councillor Mary Draycott.
Coun Draycott says fly tipping issue has been a particular problem in the east of Loughborough and in the Hasting Ward she represents.
She told the Echo that she had received a number of complaints: “Mainly from blocks of flats about communal areas being used for dumping of goods i.e. 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.
“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 Covid19 emergency.
“In agreeing to start charging it
was anticipated that in the first six months £30k would be raised.
The actual income raised in the
five months was £52,353.
“However the report also stated that 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 5000 tons collected
and it is down to 2000, where are all those other items?”
She added: “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 bins 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.
“My view is that 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 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
said: “
A spokesperson for Charnwood
Borough Council said: “A total of 383 fly-tipping incidents reported
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 which are 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. Applications for the scheme are assessed on a case by case basis.
“We take fly-tipping very seriously are on low spokesperson for Borough council and investigate all reported fly-tips. If we have evidence we can prosecute people in court with a potential of an unlimited
fine and up to five years in prison or issue fixed penalty notices. Last
year we installed CCTV cameras in various fly-tipping hot spots across the borough
“It’s worth reminding people that it is the individual’s responsibility to ensure their 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.
“If anyone spots fly-tipping, we would encourage them to report it to us either online fly-tipping at www.charnwood.gov.uk/fly_tipping or by calling 01509 634564.”