Issue - meetings

In the absence of the Lead Member, the Deputy Lead Member of the Living and Working Select Committee, Councillor Perry, presented the Select Committee's in-depth review of Fly-Tipping Services, which had been presented to the Cabinet on 15 February 2011.

The Deputy Lead Member stated that the underlying theme of the 11 recommendations was the need to work together with partners, other local authorities and especially the borough's residents.

He recorded his thanks to Members and officers for the support that they had given to the Select Committee throughout the review.

In responding to Member questions, the Corporate Director of Customer Services advised that:

1.  Rubbish left by fly-tippers costs in excess of £100 per tonne to dispose of;

2.  The Council worked with VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) in stopping commercial vehicles that drive along River Road to ensure that the vehicles were securely sheeted, carrying the correct load, and going to the correct destination;

3.  The Council operated:

(a)  a free bulk waste service, for which residents may have to wait 3-5 weeks; and

(b)  a priority service (3-5 days) costing between £12.50/£17.50

4.  During this current year:

(a)  38 fly-tippers have been prosecuted;

(b)  61 fixed penalty notices have been issued

5.  Due to the high cost of waste disposal, which was paid for via Council Tax, it was important that waste volume is kept in check.  This borough's residents were disposing of more waste than any other London borough, and it was for this reason that wheelie bins were introduced; to give residents the opportunity to compost and recycle. 

The Corporate Director of Customer Services invited Members to meet with him outside this meeting to discuss specific concerns about discarded litter in their Ward areas.

Agreed to adopt the Living and Working Select Committee's recommendations as set out in the report.

The Chair of the Living and Working Select Committee, Councillor Ogungbose, has been invited to the meeting.

The Lead Member of the Living and Working Select Committee, Councillor Ogungbose, presented the Select Committee’s draft final report of its in-depth review of fly-tipping issues within the Borough.

The Select Committee has made 11 recommendations which will be considered for adoption by the Assembly on 30 March 2011.  These include proposals to raise awareness amongst businesses and local residents of the wide-ranging impacts of fly-tipping and how they can help to prevent it, closer cross-borough working and improving the Council’s systems to enable local people to track progress of reported incidents.

The Cabinet very much welcomed the report and commended its adoption by the Assembly.