Anger as fly-tipping rate soars
800 incidents reported in 12 months – up 45 per cent ... but only ONE warning letter is sent out
THE Valley MP has claimed the council is ‘ turning a blind eye’ to fly-tippers following record numbers of reported incidents.
Rossendale had exactly 800 reports of fly-tipping in 2015/16, according to government figures released this week. That represents a sharp rise from 553 the year before and is the highest figure in at least the last five years.
But, despite the 45pc increase, Rossendale council took action LESS often, sending out only one warning letter and carrying out 185 ‘actions’ on fly-tipping – nearly half the previous year.
It comes after we revealed in January the council had not used onthe-spot fine powers introduced last May.
MP Jake Berry said: “I’m concerned that these figures appear to show that our local authority is turning a blind eye to fly tipping across the Valley.
“Rossendale council should be actively pursuing, prosecuting and fining those who are dump- ing illegally. The government have put in place new regulations to give local councils more effective tools to use in investigating and prosecuting waste crimes.”
Tory councillor Peter Steen said the figures were “disappointing”, adding: “Our officers need to do a better job than they currently are doing. Obviously we need to up our game if we’ve only sent out one letter. It requires vigilance from members of the public.”
But Rossendale council denied they were turning “a blind eye to environmental crime”.
Their spokesperson said: “We aim to prosecute where possible. However, new powers have not been matched by any additional funding.
“Fly-tipping is often an activity carried out at all times of day and night, in out of the way locations and often on private land by organised crime gangs with resources far outstretching those of many local councils.
“Most reports we receive are after the event has occurred and finding sufficient evidence of perpetrators, to take cases to law, is often difficult meaning the public purse is further stretched by this criminal act.
“The Environment Agency and the police also have powers to act.”
In 2015/16, the council launched 169 ‘investigative actions’ and 15 statutory notices against fly tipping. But this was dwarfed by fellow east Lancashire councils. The next lowest figure for actions was Ribble Valley with 754.
The spokesperson added: “Some councils will classify ‘ side waste’ [rubbish left next to bins] as fly-tipping, which we don’t. We react quickly to inspect reports and remove material quickly.
“Where we have any information as to persons responsible we always follow up to see if there is sufficient evidence for us to take a case to law.
“We see the blight of flytipping as an issue where the community can assist.
“As a small authority with fewer resources than larger councils it’s difficult for us to witness fly-tipping events.”