Reading officials are addressing fly-tipping issues with new enforcement strategies and penalties
Reading: Fly-tipping has become a big problem at bottle banks in Kensington Park. Photos show heaps of waste dumped there.
It’s not just Kensington Park. A bottle bank in Erleigh Road was closed last year due to ongoing fly-tipping issues.
Opposition parties on the Reading Borough Council want the Labour administration to take action. They’re pushing for better enforcement against waste dumping.
At a recent council meeting, Councillor James Moore from the Liberal Democrats raised the issue. He pointed out that other councils have had success tackling fly-tipping.
Cllr Moore mentioned that local residents are worried about fly-tipping and the cleanup costs. He suggested looking at successful strategies from other areas.
For example, Manchester City Council uses movable cameras in fly-tipping hotspots. This has worked well for them.
Winchester City Council also saw a 40% drop in fly-tipping by focusing on prosecutions instead of just fines.
He asked how much it costs to clear dumped waste and use CCTV for enforcement.
In response, Karen Rowland, the lead councillor for environmental services, said she couldn’t provide specific costs. They don’t keep track of those numbers.
She mentioned a new partnership aimed at increasing enforcement resources. If they catch someone dumping waste, they can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
For serious or repeat offenders, they might skip the FPN and go straight to court.
Cllr Rowland also noted that they are reviewing FPN charges. They plan to increase these fees starting April 1.
She hopes that higher fees will deter people from fly-tipping while still being fair for those who pay early.
Additionally, the council will announce a new approach to bulky waste collections. This will focus on areas most affected by dumping.
Cllr Rowland believes these changes will help address littering and fly-tipping in Reading.
This discussion took place at the full council meeting on January 28.
