Councillors in Sefton’s Ford ward have welcomed the authority’s latest efforts to crack down on fly-tipping in their area.

Investigation

After a pile of rubbish was spotted on Kirkstone Road North by the area’s Neighbourhoods Officer and reported to Ford Ward councillors, further investigation found evidence connecting it to a nearby address.

Following a visit to that address during which council staff spoke with them, the occupant has now been invited for an interview under caution as part of the legal action Sefton Council will take over fly-tipping. The resident could face a fine of up to £400.

Never acceptable

Ford ward councillor Liz Dowd said: “My councillor ward colleagues and I are pleased to hear that once again our council staff are following up on evidence gathered from an incident of fly-tipping, which is never an acceptable way of disposing of rubbish.

“We have worked closely with One Vision Housing to improve waste storage, and working in partnership installed new static bins in the car park at the back of the flats over the shops.  This has stopped the black bin sacks that used to litter the front of the shops in Kirkstone Road North and has made a real improvement to the area.  There is no excuse to leave rubbish on the street.

“Fly-tipping is anti-social, potentially dangerous and results in a cost for the Council or our partners for clearing it up. That is money that could be much better spent on services for our local communities and the protection of vulnerable people.

“Sometimes the only way to deter some people from doing it is to impose a fine, as could happen in this case."

WFT?

Last year, Sefton Council ran a pilot campaign to prevent fly-tipping. Focused on the Borough’s Derby ward where properties have shared rear entries, the campaign asked asking residents WFT? Why Fly Tip?

Evaluation of the campaign showed that it was received positively by local residents.  It resulted in a cleaner neighbourhood during the campaign and a significant reduction in the average monthly reports of fly tipping in the following months.

More fixed penalty fines

Councillor Peter Harvey, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene said: “As well as resulting in less fly-tipping, our WFT? campaign also saw council staff issuing more fixed penalty fines and opening an increased number of prosecution cases.

“This case on Kirkstone Road North shows we are prepared to pursue the culprits of fly-tipping wherever it takes place and take legal action where we can establish the proof required.”

If the resident being interview under caution is found to be responsible for the fly-tipping on Kirkstone Road North, they could be facing the £400 Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution soon.

People can find out more about disposing of rubbish at www.sefton.gov.uk/bins

You can use this link to find details of last year's WFT? campaign.