Ribble Valley councillors slam fly-tipping 'scourge' as toxic waste piles up

Ribble Valley councillors have blasted the ‘scourge’ of fly-tipping, as they debated the best ways to tackle offenders through fines or court action.

‘Toxic’ and dangerous materials, such as chemicals and asbestos, are being illegally dumped, along with household clearance items in skips, councillors have said. Councils, private land-owners and farmers are all bearing the clean-up costs, which are often higher than fines imposed on offenders, councillors said.

Fines and court prosecutions are two options available to Ribble Valley Council. These were discussed at its Health & Housing Committee, where councillors considered next year’s fees and charges, linked to services and enforcement including dealing with fly-tipping and litter.

The maximum proposed fine for fly-tipping will remain at £1,000 and a minimum of £750. For littering, the maximum fine will stay at £150 or £113 for early payment. Different fines cover incidents including abandoned cars or household, industrial or commercial premises waste problems.

Green Councillor Malcolm Peplow said: “Some fees cannot be raised higher by the council because they are set nationally by the government. But fly-tipping is an absolute scourge and all councillors know it’s on the increase. So it’s a shame and greatly frustrating that we have such a centralised government system which puts limits on fines or charges.

“Councils face great costs in dealing with some of the disgusting stuff that’s dumped. Materials include asbestos and chemicals. It’s toxic. Then there’s work in dealing with littering incidents.

“There are significant costs in all this work, including pursuing the people responsible. But it’s regrettable that we don’t have a bigger deterrent and are unable to recover the costs.”

Conservative Councillor Steve Farmer said: “There was a big pile of asbestos sheets dumped on the A59, on a lay-by at Pendle Road near Clitheroe.

“It was run-over by vehicles and had shattered, so was a risk to health and was dangerous. The cost in dealing with that was far more than a £1,000 fine. It really is a scourge.”

Environmental health officer Andrew Dent said: “Yes, some fees or fines are capped. But some charges may go up, under new legislation.

“If we have a case of significant fly-tipping, the council can go straight to prosecution. To be frank, we do see some significant fly-tipping. So these go to prosecution and are in the hands of magistrates courts.”

Conservative Councillor Tony Austin said there were problems at Whalley Old Road in the Lango and Billington area.

He said: “There’s fly-tipping but someone who owns some land there is burning rubbish. I understand the Environment Agency is looking at it. I think things have generally improved, compared with the past, but there are still issues and still gaps in our powers, from what I can see.”

He added: “In the past, I was a member of the Lancashire Waste Partnership. It complained to the national Sentencing Council that fines were not heavy enough.

“A petition was signed by between 50 and 100 officers and complaints were also well-made by councillors.

“But I don’t know what can be done to progress things? That was under a Conservative government and we now have a new government. ”

Malcolm Peplow added: “If fly-tipping happens on a road or pavement, it’s up to the council to move it. But it also happens on private land. Farmers and landowners are facing huge bills to clear it up.”

Councillor Mark Hindle, the Health & Housing Committee chairman said: “Another problem is people paying for skips but then the waste is just dumped elsewhere illegally. That can happen with situations like house clearances. It’s a concern. Who knows what materials are inside some of those skips?”

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