Fly-tipping 'name and shame' scheme approved

2 hours ago

Shariqua AhmedPeterborough

Peterborough recorded the highest number of fly-tipping incidents per head in the East of England in 2023-24

Cambridgeshire Constabulary Fly-tipped items left near bushes and nettles. There is lots of cardboard, black rubbish bins, a white duvet and other bags and detritus. — Peterborough recorded the highest number of fly-tipping incidents per head in the East of England in 2023-24

An online scheme to name and shame convicted fly-tippers in Peterborough has been approved.

At a meeting on Wednesday, members of Peterborough City Council backed a motion calling for a webpage highlighting the scale of the problem across the city.

Independent councillor Mark Ormston said fly-tipping continued to be "a severe blight on Peterborough's communities, draining public resources, damaging our environment, and causing immense frustration to our residents".

Ormston said the proposed dashboard would include ward-by-ward data, along with guidance on fly-tipping cases that fall outside the council's responsibility.

A "name and shame" section would publish details of individuals and rogue waste disposal businesses convicted of fly-tipping offences in an effort to deter others.

He added: "I believe that arming residents with information through this centralised hub, complete with transparency around investigations, convictions and naming and shaming, will be a powerful deterrent."

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Matthew Marraner Rubbish including bricks dumped on the side of the road. — Residents have reported truckloads of waste dumped every week around Willow Hall Lane

In 2023-24, Peterborough recorded the highest number of fly-tipping incidents per head of population in the East of England, with 10,128 cases reported.

Independent councillor Kevin Tighe, who seconded the motion, said the webpage would provide reassurance "that we are serious about tackling fly-tipping".

Conservative member Steve Allen described fly-tipping as a "national scandal".

He called on the council to lobby the government to introduce official identification for waste carriers to help tackle fraudulent operators.

Fellow Conservative councillor Wayne Fitzgerald said: "We make it difficult for people to dispose of waste at the household recycling centre, which adds to the problem."

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Labour council leader Shabina Qayyum welcomed the motion.

"I am sorry that it has come to the point that we are having to deal with a motion on it. We have put a lot of resources into education, but something needs to happen that is a bit more robust," she said.

The motion was passed unanimously.

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