Agenda item

To provide the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership Annual Report (2022), which gives an overview of the achievements of the partnership over 2022 and the future ambitions.

The Public Protection Manager presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities. The report outlined an update on the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership and their annual report of 2022, which provided an overview of the achievements of the partnership and future ambitions.

The Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership was formed in response to a noticeable rise in fly-tipping incidences across Lincolnshire over spring/summer of 2020, which included a large scale of more than 20 tonnes of fly tipping in South Kesteven.

The aim of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership was to reduce and prevent fly-tipping across Lincolnshire by bringing all relevant agencies together and working in partnership, seeking to find new and innovative methods for closer working.

The partnership met 3-4 times a year and was governed by a term of reference, a key action plan and was formed by the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership in 2020.

It was clarified that 4 fixed penalty notices were issued, rather than 5 as stated in the report.

It was reported that South Kesteven had 1533 reports of fly tipping in 2022.

One Member highlighted the difficulty of collecting evidence and successful prosecutions due to being unable to identify the individual that has fly tipped. It was suggested whether motion activated CCTV could be installed in particular fly tipping ‘hot spots’ to identify individuals or numberplates of vehicles.

It was noted that regular fly-tipping took place from drivers on the A1 Road.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services and Climate Change noted that 2022 fly-tipping figures cost over £60,000 to the Council taxpayers of South Kesteven. The Council had a dedicated 2-person crew who worked 5 days a week, the £60,000 covered wage costs, vehicle costs and costs to wards identification.

It was highlighted that where fly tipping evidence could identify an individual, prosecution would be given. If a householder had used an unlicensed waste carrier, they could face a fine. It was encouraged that householders requested to see a waste carriers license before their waste is collected.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services and Climate Change confirmed that a lane closure would have to be in place in order to clear waste on the side of the A1 Road. National Highways were due to close a section of the A1 Road for drainage works in summer 2023. The Council’s Waste Managers were currently liaising with National Highways in order to coincide the arrangement for operatives to volunteer to attend at night to collect waste from the side of the road.

A query was raised on whether any enforcement action could be taken on unlicensed waste carriers that advertise on social media. It was further queried as to whether advertisements on social media were monitored. 

The Public Protection Manager informed the Committee that if Officers became aware of an unlicensed waste carrier advertising on social media, it would be investigated.

One Member congratulated the team on the improvement of response time to attending fly-tipping reports.

Members highlighted fly-tipping issues within their district wards.

It was queried as to whether the vulnerable land panel identifying high risk areas, included private land that affected residents of South Kesteven.  

Concern was raised over landlord clearance fly-tipping and the cost-of-living crisis affecting residents being unable to pay a fee for removal of their waste.

The Public Protection Manager assured the Committee that the vulnerable land panel was trialing public land and larger areas where fly-tipping was taking place. Fly-tipping issues on private land within the district could be dealt with the Neighborhoods Team and enforcement action could be looked into.

One Member requested that statistics on fly-tipping be included within the next report, which would monitor the success of the partnership.

It was queried as to whether the Council were responsible for litter on the side of the A1 Road or whether National Highways were.

It was confirmed that National Highways were responsible for litter picking on motorways. The litter on the A1(M) was dealt with by National Highways, however, the A1 Road was to be dealt with by District Councils.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services and Climate Change highlighted that the shared prosperity monies may be able to fund CCTV cameras for fly-tipping ‘hotspots’.

That the Committee:

Notes the content of the Annual Report (2022) of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership.