Lib Dems call for Zero Tolerance on Flytipping

Flytipping in the borough is set to rise from 446 incidents in 2010-11 to a projected 600 incidents in 2011-12. It's an unacceptable increase say the Lib Dems, who want the council to adopt a zero tolerance policy and prosecute offenders.

In the majority of cases there is nothing in the dumped material to identify the perpetrators, but only between 10 and 20 investigations are carried out each year. The Lib Dems have called for the council to adopt a zero tolerance policy, to investigate every case thoroughly, but most importantly to embark on a publicity campaign to raise awareness of the problem and engage local residents in being vigilant and reporting any suspicions they have.

Lib Dem councillors say that such a policy does not necessarily have to use precious council finances. They point out that regular press releases cost nothing and raising awareness through an article in the council's publication "Insight" would alert the public to the problem. Cllr Alison Kelly, Town ward, said "The more the council is seen to be hot on cases of flytipping, the more this will discourage flytippers. It's not a problem which has a readymade solution, but at the moment the council is just sitting back while the statistics get worse."