Published: Monday, 1st November 2021
Significant proposals to tackle fly tipping, reduce littering, and improve the environment are being put forward for consideration by the borough council’s cabinet.
The plans would see an investment of around £190k per year to create additional resources for the council to address fly-tipping across west Norfolk through the creation of a single enhanced service. More incidents will be able to be investigated and cleared in a timely and efficient way.
In addition, under the proposals, community-led litter picking initiatives would also benefit from more support in the form of guidance, equipment, and the free collection of bagged waste.
There would also be a focus on communications and campaigns to reinforce messages around fly-tipping and raise awareness of the ways for the public to get involved, including by reporting incidents.
And there would be educational activities for children and young people to help them to make good environmental choices by reinforcing the benefits which reducing waste and recycling brings.
To support these interventions, the borough council would also be increasing its capacity to investigate, fine and prosecute the anti-social perpetrators of fly-tipping.
The proposals show the new service would use electric vehicles to deal with incidents of fly-tipping, saving a potential 12 tonnes of CO2 a year upon conventional transport.
The proposals are designed to tackle the social and environmental impact of fly tipping and littering across the borough. The investment would improve the correct disposal of rubbish and amount of recycling and help through the removal of dumped waste prevent environmental harm.
Cllr Paul Kunes, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “These proposals if adopted would provide the council with greater resources and capacity to tackle fly tipping, which we know can be such a blight on our local landscape.
“We know too that there are some fantastic community groups and individuals who volunteer to make a difference within their local areas by leading litter picks. These should be rightfully celebrated and supported, something these proposals also cater for.
“The cumulative impact of this investment and interventions would be visible across west Norfolk, and it would make a tangible difference to our carbon footprint. Making sure that rubbish is dealt with correctly, with recycling happening wherever possible, plays a role in our work to tackle climate change.”
Cllr Stuart Dark MBE, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “Fly-tipping is both anti-social and illegal. It also has a negative impact on our natural environment, by taking rubbish out of the recycling chain and depositing it to decay or remain where it shouldn’t. These proposed educational activities and enhancements to our services and enforcement would allow us to take greater steps to minimise it across our beautiful district.”