As part of an ongoing ‘Tackle The Tippers’ campaign and a commitment to address fly tipping and anti-social behaviour, teams from across the Council, together with other Partnership agencies, worked together on the 27th September 2023 to show a high profile presence in the Shobnall Ward Area.
The initiative was attended by officers from the Enforcement Team, the Community and Civil Enforcement Team, the Mobile CCTV Enforcement Officer, Selective Licensing team, Staffordshire Police, AB Harmony (Victim Support), as well as Officers from Trent and Dove who supported us with their Coffee Hut.
This resulted in;
- 24 duty of care inspections on premises within the area to ensure any waste was disposed of correctly, of those, 20 were identified resulting in follow on action.
- 5 premises were identified by Trading Standards officers to be selling non-compliant vapes.
- 1 commercial premises reported to Fire and Rescue for possible fire risks.
- 6 properties identified with follow on actions.
- 12 key streets were visited which resulted in 24 properties being visited, of those, 12 incidents identified required further action.
Fly tipping can consist of anything from carrier bags of waste to soft furnishings being left outside of properties.
Fly tipping is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Officers will be issuing fixed penalty notices of up to £1000 where an offender can be identified and for prosecution cases, the Courts have various powers available to them to deal with fly tipping, including imprisonment, unlimited fines and an order to deprive rights to a vehicle used to commit the offence.
Cllr Simon Slater, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, said: “It is important that residents are aware of what exactly constitutes fly-tipping, as this is the best way to avoid unwanted fines. If you are hiring someone to dispose of your waste, please make sure to ask to see their waste carrier’s license to ensure your waste is disposed of in an appropriate manner. If ever you are in doubt, please visit the Council’s website for further guidance.”
We would ask anyone in the Borough with waste to dispose of to adhere to the following;
- Do not fly tip waste and ensure it is disposed of correctly, this includes not leaving any items on the pavement or on Council land, this also includes mattresses, fridge freezers or other items left out for ‘scrap collectors’. This is classed as fly tipping and can also be a hazard to anyone passing by.
- Ensure that anyone employed to take your waste away is reputable and licensed. Ask to see a copy of their waste carriers licence and also ask for a receipt, this is often also called a tipping note. A legitimate waste carrier will not mind waiting whilst you make your enquiries. If the waste is later found fly tipped and traced back, action can be taken against you. You can receive up to a £1000 fixed penalty notice or be prosecuted.
- You can make checks by contacting the Environment Agency on (03708) 506 506, Monday to Friday 0800hrs - 1800hrs or by accessing the public register list on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information
- The Council also offers a bulky waste collection to collect and dispose of larger items. This can be arranged either via the East Staffordshire Borough Council website or by calling 0800 269098.
As part of our continued crackdown on perpetrators, anyone wishing to report any incidents of fly tipping can contact the teams on 01283 508506 or report via the East Staffordshire Borough Council website.