Down in the dumps over fly-tippers Reports of rats have rocketed
There have been a few movies throughout the years called Things That Go Bump In The Night.
But there may well be a new cinematic masterpiece hitting our screens called Things That Go DUMP In The Night.
Discussions have been taking place recently about the council installing CCTV cameras at wellknown spots like the Gleniffer Braes and other quiet rural roads that some selfish people regularly use for fly-tipping.
And, when the illegal dumpers turn up thinking that no one can see them, they could be caught on camera and appear in their own version of a Hollywood blockbuster crime thriller.
Although it’s the fly-tippers who’ll be getting busted for committing a crime and could be handed a £200 Fixed Penalty Fine, or, if taken to court, face a fine of up to £40,000.
The amount of fly-tipping going on in Renfrewshire has been increasing in recent months.
It seems both rogue traders and individuals have taken to this indiscriminate dumping of everything from building site and gardening waste to mattresses, old fridges and furniture.
Not only is it a blight on our countryside, it costs the council taxpayer - that’s you and me, by the way - tens of thousands of pounds for council staff to uplift and properly dispose of whatever has been dumped.
There’s no need for fly-tipping as Renfrewshire Council’s recycling centres are open, or you can request a special uplift by council staff by phoning 0300 300 0300.
Everyone can do their bit to stamp out the fly-tipping blight on our environment.
If you see anyone fly-tipping or that rubbish has been illegally dumped somewhere, you can report it online at www. zerowastescotland.org.uk/ DumbDumpers or by calling 0300 300 0300 or 0300 777 2292.
If we all do our bit, we can go a long way to dumping the dumpers.
Still on a movie theme, Arnold Schwarzenegger is famous for his
“I’ll be back” catchphrase.
Well, much could be the same for the coronavirus, if we aren’t careful.
I was more than a bit concerned to hear that there were relatively high rates of Covid-19 in the Glenburn and Foxbar areas of Paisley.
Thankfully, the health authorities have moved quickly to make sure the virus doesn’t get out of hand and have set up a mobile testing unit at Glenburn Community Centre.
I’d encourage everyone from Glenburn and Foxbar to book a covid test before the testing unit moves on after Sunday, May 30.
The tests are being carried out between 9.30am and 6pm every day this week.
Even if you have been vaccinated, or you don’t have any symptoms, it’s worth getting tested in case you are carrying the virus without knowing it.
Better spending a few minutes getting the test than unknowingly spreading Covid to people who may not be as able as you to withstand the virus.
I don’t like saying‘I told you so’, but on this occasion I’ll make an exception because of the seriousness of the situation.
I had raised the issue of rat infestations all over Renfrewshire at a recent full council meeting, but the SNP administration told everyone that there wasn’t a particularly serious problem.
Thankfully, fellow councillors backed my motion to suspend the council’s £60 pest control call-out fees to encourage people to come forward and report rodent sightings in the area.
And guess what’s happened? Reports of rat infestations have rocketed since my motion was passed.
When you’re a politician running a local authority, you shouldn’t just listen to yourself or what you want to hear.
Listen to the people you’re supposed to represent and, if lots of folks say there’s a problem - well, there’s a problem.
I’m sure our expert environmental health staff are on the case and will soon be running Roland Rat and all his pals out of town.
The Pied Piper will have nothing on these guys once they get to work on these rodents.