Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hart)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer – Environment & Place

to consider, review and adopt the Fly Tipping Strategy for the district.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1 would be for the authority not to adopt the strategy and accept that the current management of fly tipping in the district is acceptable and palatable in relation to the financial and resource needed to maintain this standard of service to residents. Whilst this would not be consistent with the authority’s ambitions around improving quality public spaces, it is an option none the less given the other ambitions which the Council may choose to focus on, as outlined within the Council Plan 2024-2027.

Option 2 is the strategy as outlined within the body of the report and appendix 1. This is planned within the current operational structures and requires minimal investment in regard to financial or staffing resource. The approach is ambitious and looks to lower fly tipping and increase resident satisfaction over a five year period.

                      The options available to the Council are outlined in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3 of the report and all offer advantages and disadvantages. Any decision moving forward should consider a balanced approach to residents whilst taking into account the national strategy, financial position of the authority and operational efficiency.

                      Option 2 is the officer preferred option – to approve the proposed strategy to move towards a more planned and structured approach to Fly Tipping.  It is felt that this will contribute to a smoother operation and be kinder to the public in knowing what is required on their behalf. 

Councillor Hart proposed, seconded by Councillor Riches:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of amendment, Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed and Councillor Maddocks seconded:- “that the maximum fixed penalty notice be increased to £1K.” 

This was not accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillor Hart.

Following advice from the Monitoring Officer, it was decided the amendment was unsuitable for the current strategy document. The amendment was withdrawn for future consideration.

By way of an amendment to the operational action plan within the strategy Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed ‘that the phrases short term medium term and long term should be replaced by actual specific dates where possible with officers determining which actions became dates and which remained as short term, medium term or long term.”

This was accepted as a friendly amendment.

Councillors then voted on the recommendations, as revised :-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)               That the Fly Tipping Strategy 2026-2031 as attached within appendix 1 to the report be approved and adopted.

(2)               That the operational action plan attached to the report in appendix 2 be revised with the phrases short term, medium term and long term replaced by actual specific dates where possible with officers determining which actions became dates and which remained as short term, medium term or long term.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer - Environment & Place

Reasons for making the decision:

This front facing operational strategy aligns to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Councils corporate enforcement policy.

The strategy will contribute positively to reduced public health and safety and offers a consistent service to all communities regardless of socio-economic status, ethnicity or geographical location and endeavours for all to benefit from a cleaner environment.

Having approved the preferred officer option, Council services will be able to start the implementation work stream as set out in the report and look to articulate the changes to residents.