Purpose

To consider the Cabinet response to the requests made in the Motion passed by Council.

Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1. 1)           asked the Operations Scrutiny Committee to examine the efficacy of different levels of fixed penalty notices and other measures to reduce the incidence of flytipping; and
2. 2)           Acknowledged the increased size of the enforcement and cleansing capacity introduced at the February budget meeting (pre-empting the Motion to Council). 

Reasons for decision

Information on fly-tipping nationally is collated from each local authority on the waste data flow platform overseen by DEFRA. It is also reported through our County-wide Fly Tipping Group. This could be shared with Members. However, given the level of misinformation on this topic, and the fact that both the Policy Review and Operations Review Committee had also suggested scrutiny reviews of this area, officers recommend that the Operations Scrutiny Committee receive a fuller briefing from officers and carry out a review of the efficacy of different FPN levels and other matters in reducing fly-tipping. This would enable a fuller understanding of the Hertsmere context and current actions, rather than general angst over national headlines. The scope of such scrutiny would be to:

 • Receive a briefing on the Hertsmere context as outlined in this report

• Consider the level of fixed penalty notices and

• Consider the potential for a fly-tipping “wall of shame” and any other matters that might reduce the level of fly-tipping further.

Alternative Options Considered

Do nothing. This had been discounted as it was important that Members have accurate information to inform their decision making.

Agree to the requests in the Motion or discount the requests in the Motion. This had been discounted as it is apparent there was a need for wider Member understanding of the Hertsmere context for fly-tipping in terms of current volume, tactics and efficacy of new solutions.