Agenda item

To receive a report from the Environment and Enforcement Manager and to consider and recommend to Cabinet the proposed changes.

The Group had before it, a report* from the Environment and Enforcement Manager.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Services explained that this paper outlined the key environment enforcement policies that underpin key activities related to fly tipping, abandoned vehicles, dog fouling, littering, etc. There were no significant changes. The largest change was in the fly tipping policy which included an increase in the maximum fixed penalty to £1,000 with delegated authority being granted to the Environment and Enforcement Manager with regard to the issuing of those fixed penalty notices, and inclusion of greater detail with regard to the household duty of care.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·         The “separation guidance” for recycling boxes, there was a debate around better explanation on the website regarding what to do with batteries or small electrical goods.

·         The number of people against whom there had been enforcement action taken for litter dropping. The PDG were reminded by the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste that Enforcement statistics are taken to the PDG on a quarterly basis.

·         Whether litter dropping had increased since the three weekly bin collection policy had been introduced.

·         Advertising to the voluntary litter collection groups that litter pickers and Hi-Viz vests were available for loan.

·         Reporting those who drop litter and those who drop litter from vehicles.

·         7 year review of the fly tipping policy.

·         The Bin-it 123 and Environment Policies had been successful and seen an increase in recycling rates and a reduction in the Council’s carbon footprint.

·         A press release regarding three weekly collections that would state that the District would be expected to be fully compliant by 26 February 2024.

·         Recycling Advisors were available to offer advice on how waste and recycling  would be collected (and how it should be left out for collection).

·         That too much waste that could be recycled was going into black bins and black bags. There would be a video to help illustrate this point.

·         People across the district needed to understand that fly tipping and litter dropping were not acceptable hence the importance of these environment education policies.

·         There were two employed Street Cleansers in Tiverton, one in Cullompton and one on Crediton High Street.

·         “Make a Difference Days” where employers offer their employees days off to do voluntary work. Those voluntary groups complimented what Mid Devon District Council were able to do by working with “Clean Devon Partnership”.

·         The Environment and Enforcement Manager was looking into a scheme to enable the Council to collect larger items and was seeking funding for this.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that

(a)        That Litter Policy be implemented to reflect Defra guidance on Proportionate, Effective, Targeted, Transparent and Consistent approach to littering offences,

(b)       To amend the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for littering to include a 50% discount for a period of 14 days from the date of the offence

(c)        To review and approve wording simplification:

1.    Stray Dog Policy

2.    Littering from Vehicles

3.    Compulsory Recycling

4.    Fly Tipping minor wording amendment regarding FPN value.

(d)       To approve Abandoned Vehicle policy wording changes.

Proposed by the Chairman

Note: *report previously circulated.