NEW BID TO END FLYTIPPING MENACE

Covert cameras and crime scene tape recommended by cross-party working group of councillors

Covert cameras, crime scene tape and new waste disposal facilities could all be deployed in the fight against fly-tipping in Peterborough.

A cross-party review carried out by city councillors has suggested a number of new ideas to try and limit the huge amount of dumped waste every year which costs the authority approximately £500,000 annually to tackle.

There were more than 10,000 collections of fly-tips in Peterborough in 2017/18 despite campaigns and initiatives including a trial of free bulky waste collections.

The review was initiated by council leader Cllr John Holdich with a newly-formed working group asked to recommend policy changes which might bring down the amount of fly-tipping.

The group has now published its report which will be considered by members of the council’s Growth, Environment and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday.

The report’s recommendations include:

• Buying six infrared covert cameras at a total cost of £6,000 to place in problem areas

• Making it easier to access obtain permit applications online for the new Household Recycling Centre which is due to open in Fengate in early 2019

• Spending £5,000 on a communications campaign

• Putting up crime scene style barrier tape around flytipping incidents to highlight that action is being taken

• Engaging with the public on social media, with one suggestion including sponsored Facebook messages

•Exami■i■g longer site opening times and improved trailer access at the new recycling centre, and the feasibility of satellite recycling sites in busy times of the year

• Considering alterations to the current pricing policy for bulky waste collections to reduce barriers to those on limited incomes

• Costing a council-supported commercial waste disposal and recycling centre for small businesses working from home, landlords and mobile, small traders

• Examining the introduction of discrete bins for street cleaning or litter picking waste.

The report reveals that the highest volume of fly-tipping collections is in the central area of the city, while fly-tipping at Norwood Lane in Paston Ridings costs the authorities on average £40,000 a year to tackle.

Currently, enforcement of fly-tipping is undertaken by officers in the city’s Prevention and Enforcement Service.

In 2017/18 there were 26 prosecutions for fly-tipping and 123 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) handed out.

From April 2018 onwards there have been no successful prosecutions but 75 FPNs issued.

Fly-tipping at Norwood Lane