Public clean-up teams after council cuts hit

after West Lothian Council slashed the size of its neighbourhood environment enforcement teams in the face of budget cuts, it has faced an upsurge in fly tipping, dog fouling and abandoned cars.

but communities are fighting back, with local groups leading clear-ups and setting up initiatives to help keep their communities clean.

the scouts/Cubs in East Calder are using two-litre milk bottles as dog bag dispensers.

officers supplied the labels and bags and the group has put up the dispensers around the local area.

the latest round of figures came from local committees in the east and west.

in Whitburn, the number of fly-tipping incidents reported increased from 34 last year to 52 in the May to august time frame this year.

abandoned cars went up from six to 15.

the news was not much better in East Livingston and East Calder. there fly-tipping reports rose to 84 from 61 over the same period last year while the number of abandoned cars rose from six to 14.

Councillor Carl John said he regularly saw teams clearing local football pitches of dog mess before matches started and said that he had also witnessed “a massive increase ”in the dumping of garden refuse at recycling centres since hours had changed.

David Lees ,from nets, told the East Calder LaC meeting that the Enforcement Community action team consists of one senior enforcement officer and three education/engagement officers.

His report to committee said the Cleaner Communities Environmental team have dealt with enquiries relating to enforcement, education and engagement.

a West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Council officers continue to investigate all incidences of fly tipping on council ground where there is evidence found and if there is sufficient evidence a Fixed penalty notice will be issued.”