Barnet’s Labour councillors have again raised the impact widespread fly-tipping in the borough is having and called on the Conservative Council to implement an urgent action plan, including more enforcement.
At this week’s Community Leadership & Libraries Committee (CLLC, 9 March) Labour Communities Spokesperson, Cllr Sara Conway, highlighted that incidences of fly-tipping in her own ward of Burnt Oak appear to have increased dramatically recently (pictures attached). She queried if this was also happening across the borough.
Council officers agreed to review the situation and report back.
A joint fly-tipping taskforce was established by the Council following growing concern and repeated demands by Labour councillors to tackle the problem.
Cllr Sara Conway said: “Fly-tipping appears to have gone off the scale in Burnt Oak recently, and I’m sure it’s not just happening in one ward.
“Residents are in touch very regularly not just to report hotspots but also to say how this dumped rubbish makes them feel that no-one cares about them or their local area. It is damaging to well-being, public health and community safety. While we all welcome the Council’s joint taskforce, it’s clear we need more enforcement action as part of a comprehensive plan to tackle this.
“We should also be piloting different approaches, including more awareness raising campaigns that fly-tipping is illegal and will not be tolerated.
“Labour proposed an additional investment of £300,000 towards tackling fly-tipping in our budget amendment this year, but this was not supported by the Conservatives. It would be good to see them commit more resources to this, or at least run things better to maximise impact.”
Ends.
Notes:
- A link to the Labour budget amendment can be found here: https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/b37328/Labour%20Group%20Alternative%20Budget%202021-22%2002nd-Mar-2021%2019.00%20Council.pdf?T=9
- Photographs of recent fly-tipping in Burnt Oak are attached.