Scrutiny Report – Fly Tipping
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 June 2024
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 20 June 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 20 JUNE 2024 SCRUTINY REPORT – FLY TIPPING 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Audit and Scrutiny Committee, through their work plan, have carried out a piece of work relating to fly tipping. The report from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee can be viewed here at item 7: Agenda for Audit and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 14 March 2024, 10:30 am - Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk) 1.2 The purpose of this report is to provide members of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee with an update on the Audit and Scrutiny report regarding fly tipping. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee notes the detail in the scrutiny review and that the further observations, conclusions and recommendations have been taken on board by the service and work continues to reduce duplication. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The objectives of the scrutiny review into fly-tipping were to:- • ensure the Council’s systems record sufficient information to provide an indication of the extent of fly-tipping across the four administrative areas • ensure the Council’s duty to investigate, clear and take appropriate enforcement action in relation to fly-tipping on public land is appropriately managed • ensure there is good collaborative working arrangements in place • ensure that the Council’s charging structure is fair and proportionate across all businesses 3.2 The review initially covered data gathered in 2019/20 and 2020/21, detailing the fly- tipping reports received by the Council and also the hours the Environment Wardens spent on dealing with fly-tipping reports. 3.3 A breakdown of the hours spent on fly-tipping during this period are as follows:
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19/20 20/21 Helensburgh and Lomond 223.5 450.25 Bute and Cowal 304.5 208.25 Mid-Argyll 29.5 76.5 Oban and Lorn 344.75 302.5 3.4 The review also highlighted that many reports of fly-tipping to the Council were duplicated through different areas of contact with the Council and also that a number of these reports did not apply to Council owned land. 3.5 The report also highlighted that the Council has good collaborative working arrangements with external organisations. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 Works are ongoing to have more accurate reporting fields around land ownership and Council owned land and also to reduce the number of reporting duplications through different available contacts to the Council. 4.2 The Operations Manager recently attended a Zero Waste Scotland/SEPA meeting regarding fly-tipping across Scotland and has requested that a national register be set up to monitor offenders, locations, and other relevant details for all agencies to have access to. This will allow for greater control and improved collaborative working in controlling this issue. This type of register already exists in relation to dog control notices. 4.3 The Operations Manager also made a recommendation for the recently increased fine to be increased further as a deterrent. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – None known. 5.2 Financial – A cost to clear fly-tipping areas and dispose of the waste. 5.3 Legal – None known. 5.4 HR – None known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None known. 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None known. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty: Improving the appearance of Council owned areas. Improving the experience for residents and visitors. 5.5.3 Islands – None known. 5.6 Climate Change – None known. 5.7 Risk – With future landfill ban looming, fly-tipping becomes a greater issue. 5.8 Customer Service – Improve public perception of Argyll and Bute.
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5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None known. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour May 2024 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Road and Infrastructure Services jim.smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tom Murphy, Operations Manager tom.murphy@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Scrutiny Report