A verbal update on the work of the current Member Working Group on Fly Tipping.
Minutes:
Councillor Judy Welbourn presented the update and advised that the group had held discussions relating to CCTV cameras and mobile observation units with further information required. The group had also discussed the new waste bins and education for households in how to use them. Most homes now had the new bins.
The issue of registered waste carriers fly tipping had also been discussed and the officers were looking further into the problem The work of the ‘wombles’ had been debated and commended, with particular praise on how quickly fly tips were cleared following their initial reporting.
On a personal note Cllr Welbourn voiced support of the earlier suggestion for a joint meeting to discuss the HMO’s and fly tips.
A further member of the group confirmed that it had considered the closure of the LLC recycling centre, questioning if an option would be to have other sites within the Boston area, for people to take their recycling goods to, or even create another permanent site. Furthermore, the Lead Officer on the group was looking at the ongoing problems with bins parked on pavements causing problems. The group had noted that whilst the Government insisted on fewer collections and more recycling. As a town, Boston had more household waste than it had ever had and it was a big issue.
Referencing the suggestion of a joint meeting, a member confirmed that the housing and waste collection teams did work together in respect of houses with large side waste, which is one of the biggest problems in Boston with much of the household waste being recyclable.
There is no recommendation within the update report. However, the following comments were tabled for consideration of the working group.
That a joint scrutiny meeting be convened, or a task and finish review be undertaken, on completion of the member working group, to look at the correlation between fly tipping and HMO’s. Officers’ from both service areas – housing and waste disposal, to be included along with representation of the Landlords Forum with a view to looking to address the ongoing increasing issues of fly tipping / black bags and furniture items, clearly resulting from over-crowded houses. Options to include looking at changes in licensing of HMO’s. It is within the remit of the working group to engage with housing.
That the opening hours and existing policy of the recycling centre be reviewed. To include a view to extending the opening hours and to accommodate trailers and vans which were the preferred vehicle of fly tippers. If the people with these vehicles who collect the waste were able to go and drop it at the recycling centre, it would certainly stop many of the fly tips outside of the town, and maybe some within the town. Whilst the Policy for the recycling centre was restrictive, there had been movement at the site brought about by the pressure of BBC Councillors and changes to the policy had taken place. The more pressure the group and Council was able to put on LCC, the more change of change.