Agenda item

To consider action by the Council and its partners to change behaviour to reduce the amount of waste (including fly tipping) requiring disposal, including the balance between enforcement and encouragement.  

The Panel received a presentation on reducing waste from Tom Hemming, the Waste Strategy Manger in Environment and Community Safety.  It was noted that there were significant costs arising from the collection and disposal of waste, which increased the financial pressures on the Council.   Waste also impacted on the environment, created carbon and used up natural resources. 

Efforts were therefore being made to reduce waste.  This was being done in a number of ways:

·         Reducing the amount of waste that was produced by seeking to change behaviour;

·         ‘Residual squeeze’ ; Maximising recycling by limiting residual waste capacity; and

·         ‘Polluter pays’; Ensuring that people paid for fly tipping and that businesses, landlords and householders were made fully aware of their responsibilities.

Preventative work was undertaken by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) who had a renewable contract with the Council to carry this out.  This work aimed to bring about behaviour change through, for example, encouraging residents to avoid food waste by reducing what they bought and by, where possible, composting. In addition, the Council had implemented a “residual squeeze” through providing weekly recycling collections but fortnightly ones for other waste. 

Work was taking place to address the root causes of fly tipping.  However, there had been changes to the enforcement powers of local authorities to deal with fly tipping as a consequence of de-regulation.  The strategy for addressing fly tipping was currently being reviewed.  Engagement was a key tool to bring about behaviour change as well as, where necessary, enforcement.  A multi agency and cross community response was required to address the issue successfully.

In answer to a question, it was noted that there were considerable pressures on enforcement which was why measures were being taken to join up enforcement teams across the Council. 

David Beadle, the Managing Director of NLWA, stated that waste prevention was dependent on how receptive individuals were to the message.  In reference to communication with Councillors, it had been agreed with representatives of Councils on NLWA that they would act as the conduit for wider communication with Councillors.  However, NLWA were happy to consider alternative ways that this could be done. Social media was heavily used by NLWA as a means of communication. 

Panel Members raised the fact that there had been little preventative work undertaken by NLWA in Northumberland Park ward, which suffered high levels of deprivation and was felt could benefit from engagement work.  It was also suggested that communication with local Councillors could be enhanced by direct e-mail and tweeting.  

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member for Environment, stated that if it was clear who was responsible for fly tipping, the expectation was that enforcement would take place.  It was important that the perception of risk was increased to discourage people.  There were less staff and less money available to address fly tipping.  There was a persistent minority of people who were fly tipping.   Such behaviour needed to be seen as socially unacceptable.  Unfortunately the Council’s efficiency at removing fly tipped waste had inadvertently encouraged it.  The current situation was not financially sustainable.   Enforcement was the sole responsibility of the Council and there was wide support for it being used more widely.  Timed collections would be rolled out this year in main roads and this was also integral to dealing with dumped rubbish.   Food collection had been successfully introduced.   He was reluctant to take food recycling facilities away if there was non compliance.  Landlords needed to hold tenants to account and ensure that they were complying.  If landlords were not fulfilling their responsibilities, this could be taken up with them. Joined up enforcement would increase the capacity to deal with offenders as there would be more staff available to issue fixed penalty notices. 

It was noted Newham had undertaken a programme of collecting detailed data on fly tips and incorporated it into their planning processes.  In addition, they had changed their definition of fly tipping and now only counted tips that had been reported.  Newham had previously had the highest number of tips in London but Haringey was now the highest.  The view had been taken that it was better to be open and transparent in reporting and to bring the issue to the attention of residents.

It was also noted that contamination was a major problem with recycling.  Veolia had undertaken outreach work in order to educate the public regarding this.  Re-use of electrical equipment could be problematic but this was possible in some cases.  In particular, traders could be attracted by re-conditioned equipment.  It was preferable that any equipment went to local use rather than being put up for general sale. 

Panel Members raised the issue of flexibility in refuse collections.  There were some locations within the borough where it was difficult for residents to move their bins to and from where they were required to be placed for collection.  It was noted that it was possible for a sack collection to be undertaken if necessary.  Paul Peters, the Haringey Contract Manager from Veolia, reported that they would be happy to review arrangements for the locations in question and, if possible, exercise flexibility.

In response to a question, the Cabinet Member stated that he would be happy to report in detail on action that was being taken to address fly tipping.  The key issue was addressing its causes.  A number of issues were being looked at including bulk waste collection and people dumping without licences.  He understood that people were angry about fly tipping.  However, another round of budget cuts was to come and there would be less staff at the same time that fly tipping was getting worse.  A properly joined up enforcement team would help address the issue.  He was happy to support bespoke solutions where there were difficulties to moving bins. 

AGREED:

That NLWA be requested to consider;

·         How local Councillors could be better informed about local preventative activities by NLWA; and

·         Undertaking appropriate preventative activities in Northumberland Park ward.