William Eichler 11 May 2023

Waste officers call for fly-tipping funding

Waste officers call for fly-tipping funding   image
Image: richardjohnson / Shutterstock.com.

The vast majority of local authority waste officers think their local authority does not have enough resources and capacity to effectively tackle waste crimes such as fly-tipping, a new poll has revealed.

The Government has set a target to eliminate waste crime by 2043 and recently announced an additional £775,000 additional grant funding for a number of councils to tackle fly-tipping.

However, a new poll by LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee) has revealed that 91% of waste officers think their council does not have enough resources and capacity to deal with waste crime effectively.

Carried out in partnership with FCC Environment, the poll of over 100 officers also found that 77% think their local authority will fail to deliver on the Government’s 2043 pledge.

Nearly all (95%) said they think the Environment Agency has insufficient enforcement funding to tackle waste crime and is not taking enough enforcement action.

Cathy Cook, chair of LARAC, added: ‘It is clear that our members are committed to tackling waste crime in their local authority areas, but we know more funding and resources are needed to fully address the issue.

‘Waste crime hampers our environmental objectives and can be a blight on our landscapes. Our members believe this matter is a high priority and we would like to see it treated as such.’

A Defra spokesperson said: 'We have strengthened regulators' powers, are tightening the law and have increased the Environment Agency's budget by £10m per year to make it harder for rogue operators to find work in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Law & Governance

South Kesteven District Council
c. £110k inc.
Effective decision-making in local government leads to better outcomes for communities. Lincolnshire
Recuriter: South Kesteven District Council

Regeneration Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
£65,098 - £71,353
The Major Projects and Regeneration Team, part of our Place, Economy and Environment directorate, is at the heart of delivering this vision. Working with government, private sector partners and our local communities, we are driving forward projects funded One Angel Square 4 Angel Street Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Director of Streetscene

Fareham Borough Council
£92,027 - £105,394 (Director Grade) Pay award pending
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Shared Lives Social Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£37,035 - £43,693
About the Role Your role will be working with Shared Lives Carers and people who use the service to ensure that there is a good outcome for everyone. Assessing people for their suitability to become carers, presenting assessment reports to the Shared Live Abingdon with some agile working/working from home
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Lawyer Employment

Durham County Council
£45,718 to £49,764 p.a. (Grade 13) pay award pending
An opportunity for an Employment Lawyer has become available to work at Durham County Council as part of the Legal and Democratic Services Team. Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner