At the meeting of the Council held on 16 October 2017 (minute 68 (2) refers), the attached Notice of Motion, ‘Tougher Action in Fly Tipping’ proposed by Councillor David Burgess-Joyce and seconded by Councillor Bruce Berry was referred by the Civic Mayor to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

In accordance with Standing Order 7 (6), Councillor Burgess-Joyce has been invited to attend the meeting in order for him to be given an opportunity to explain the Motion.

  Councillor B Berry declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of having seconded the motion at the Council meeting held on 16 October 2017.

The Chair reported that at the meeting of the Council held on 16 October 2017 (minute 68 (2) refers) the following Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor David Burgess-Joyce and seconded by Councillor Bruce Berry was referred by the Civic Mayor to this Committee for consideration -

TOUGHER ACTION IN FLY TIPPING

“Council notes that between 2013 and 2016 3,648 tonnes of fly tipped waste was removed costing the Council taxpayer £584,285.85.

Council further notes the damage that fly-tipping causes to Wirral’s natural environment and wildlife and the statement from Keep Britain Tidy imploring that “It’s got to be easy for people to do the right thing otherwise we will see an increase in fly-tipping.”

Therefore the Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Environment considers:

1.  Investing in CCTV and automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) to help police fly tipping hotspots, such as Carr Lane and Lingham Lane in Moreton.

2.  Instructing officers to ensure that all fly tipped waste, whether hazardous or non-hazardous is removed within three working days.”

In accordance with Standing Order 7(6), Councillor David Burgess-Joyce had been invited to attend the meeting in order for him to explain the Motion.

Councillor Burgess-Joyce elaborated on the Motion and suggested that in line with other Local Authorities, heavier measures should be in place such as a ‘naming and shaming’ policy being adopted.  He believed that fines of between £150 and £400 would not be effective for serial offenders and that Wirral would be blighted by fly tipping should it continue.

Members discussed encouraging residents to use the ‘Eric’ service.  Suggestions were made in respect of offering a service to collect waste at a reasonable cost or to hold a register of contractors.

A number of Members raised concerns in respect of fully endorsing the recommendations as they considered more information and facts were required including costs, the effect of removing the brown bin, costs of CCTV and resources.  Members also suggested working together with officers to identify hotspots.

Members also raised concerns around the fact that should CCTV be installed, this could result in the problem being moved elsewhere.

In response to questions from Members, the Team Leader – Environmental Enforcement   confirmed that income is recouped from Fixed Penalty Notices, however if the perpetrator is taken to Court that incomes from fines etc goes to Central Government.

The Strategic Commissioner – Environment advised that the installation of CCTV would have resource implications and advised Members that work was ongoing to educate people in order to develop a complementary approach. 

Members suggested a more detailed report be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee.

Councillor David Burgess-Joyce reiterated his belief that a ‘naming and shaming’ policy should be adopted as he believed this would result in a reduction of the £584,285.85 costs.

On a motion proposed by Councillor S Foulkes, seconded by Councillor A Sykes, it was -

RESOLVED: That 

(1)  the Notice of Motion be noted; and

(2)  the Strategic Commissioner – Environment provide a more detailed report to a future meeting of the Committee.