Bolton is battling a fly-tipping ‘epidemic’ with more than 200 cases a month reported since a ‘zero tolerance’ crackdown on those dumping waste was announced last year.
However, less than five per cent of those cases have resulted in a fine or court summons. Councillors heard that sine February, 2021, 3,722 cases of fly-tipping have been recorded by Bolton Council.
However, fixed penalty fines have been issued to culprits just 144 times in that period, with another 22 alleged fly-tippers being summoned to attend magistrates court after prosecution. The figures were revealed at a meeting of the full council during which calls were made for an urgent review of enforcement and education practices around fly-tipping.
Coun Emily Mort said: “Volunteers across Bolton are tirelessly giving up their time every day to help keep our streets clean. Yet there seems to be an epidemic of fly-tipping across the whole borough. Certain areas see multiple occurrences at the same location.
“In my ward of Crompton last month one of our amazing teams of volunteers collected 70 bags of waste on one stretch of road only to return a week later to find even more rubbish.
“Allowing these actions to occur is simply not acceptable. The failure of enforcement and the failure of the Tory council to get a grip on fly-tipping is not surprising.
“There are an increase in complaints about missed waste collections, some bins pile up for weeks. There were 15 streets reporting missed multiple waste collections in Crompton ward over the last two weeks.
“The sight of full and overflowing bins left on our streets awaiting delayed and missed collections will only encourage fly-tipping as the environment already looks dirty and untidy.”
In February, 2021 increased fines and a crackdown on fly-tipping was announced by the council.
Responding to the question, deputy leader fo the council, Hilary Fairclough, said: “Since February 2021 when we were able to resume more fully after Covid the council has recorded 3,722 incidents of fly-tipping.
“They vary in size and quantity. Where reports give enough information enforcement action has happened in 144 cases.
“That is a small number but as a council we have to do things perfectly legally and we can’t hand out penalty notice because we think someone has done fly-tipping we have to have full proof that would stand up in court. We look for evidence after all reports of fly-tipping.
“The council operates a zero tolerance approach and anyone who is suspected of the illegal disposal of waste is automatically challenged and investigated. Bolton has set all fines to the maximum limit.”
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