Agenda item

To scrutinise measures to reduce litter and fly tipping.

Cabinet Member Catrin Maby introduced the item. Carl Touhig delivered a presentation and answered the members’ questions with Mark Cleaver and Susan Parkinson:

What is being considered to change public behaviour around littering, alongside enforcement strategies?

The team acknowledged the importance of communication alongside enforcement, aiming for positive messaging to improve behaviour rather than just issuing fines. They confirmed that communication would accompany enforcement to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.

How is the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) being applied, particularly in relation to dog fouling on green spaces and sports pitches?

The officers explained that enforcement officers would cover a wide range of areas, including sports pitches, parks, and town centres, with a focus on prevention and awareness, especially for children’s play areas.

How can the public be better informed about new dog fouling rules before enforcement is applied?

The officers acknowledged the ongoing problem of dog fouling on pitches, described efforts to directly inform dog owners, and mentioned plans for additional public information, especially as sports seasons begin.

Have “clever bins” (smart bins) been installed, and are they effective in managing overflow?

The officer explained that smart bin technology had faced technical issues but was being resolved, with full deployment expected soon and data to be shared once available.

Could enforcement cases, such as roadside camera footage, be used publicly to deter littering?

The officers agreed that enforcement should be used for its deterrent effect, with publicity around enforcement actions to maximize impact and prevent future offenses.

Can general litter bins be used for dog waste, and how can signage be improved to clarify this?

The officer clarified that bagged dog waste can go in general litter bins, but if bins become too full of dog waste, it creates manual handling issues for staff, so using dedicated dog bins or taking waste home is preferred.

What are the funding amounts, durations, and contributors for EPR, Tidy Towns, Pride in Place, and Enforcement initiatives?

The officer explained EPR funding comes from packaging producers to offset public waste collection costs, with over £4 million secured for the current year and future funding to be clarified soon.

Does Tidy Towns and Pride in Place funding extend to rural areas beyond town centres?

Tidy Towns funding covers a wide range of nuisance issues, not just town centres, and Pride in Place focuses on town centres but may also support improvements to access and footpaths.

Can the council recover costs for cleaning mud left on roads by farmers when responsibility is clear?

Enforcement for mud on roads is primarily an education-first approach, with letters sent to farmers; enforcement is a last resort if cooperation fails.

A member stated that enforcement is contentious but necessary due to the high cost of litter collection, especially on trunk roads suggesting that periodic, targeted enforcement could effectively deter littering and dog fouling, drawing a comparison with parking fines, for which penalties discourage repeat offenses. The suggestion was made to work with fast food businesses to address litter from takeaway packaging, as changing lifestyles contribute to roadside litter.

What support can the council offer to help volunteers clean difficult areas like those affected by grass cutting?

Officers explained that verge mowing is done by local farmers, who are supposed to report littered routes, but communication can lag; area supervisors and frontline staff are empowered to respond when notified. They noted that reduced mowing frequency (now only once per year) makes litter more visible after cuts, and collaboration with local members helps address issues.

What can be done to address weekend litter in Caldicot town centre and encourage community involvement?

Officers highlighted that new Tidy Towns teams will provide extra capacity to respond quickly to such issues, including during road closures or after verge mowing.

Could plastic screens be installed on litter bins to prevent rubbish from blowing out, as seen on the Isle of Wight?

Officers addressed bin design, explaining the trade-off between accessibility and preventing windblown or vermin-scattered litter; closures or flaps can deter use due to hygiene concerns, but they are open to targeted solutions where problems are acute. Officers encouraged the Member to contact them about specific bin locations needing improvement and confirmed that new bins are being considered as part of Tidy Towns funding.

Could the Council formally recognise and thank volunteers who regularly pick litter, such as those in Abergavenny?

The Chair and officers agreed with the suggestion, expressing support for a formal recognition event or message to thank volunteers, or for the committee to join in with a litter picking event, and discussed the success of local groups like Keep Abergavenny Tidy. – ACTION. Officers noted similar volunteer groups exist in other towns and encouraged efforts to establish a group in Caldicot, where one does not currently exist, to further improve local cleanliness and collaboration.

Could more blunt signage be used on trunk roads during litter picks to inform drivers and raise awareness about littering?

Officers explained that while the council is responsible for trunk road litter picking, signage would require SWTRA’s approval, but they are open to discussing more direct messaging to raise public awareness. – ACTION: Carl to speak to SWTRA about more blunt signage

Can dash cams be encouraged as a tool for reporting littering incidents?

Officers agreed that dash cam reporting, and school-based education, are valuable ideas and can be explored further.

Can councillors request the new sweeper for their wards, and is it effective on pavements, particularly for weed removal?

Officers clarified that there are three mini sweepers equipped for pavements and weed removal, and a larger sweeper rotates through areas, including villages, but resource limitations affect frequency. They noted that community councils can pay for enhanced services, and requests for sweepers in specific areas can be accommodated where possible.

What alternatives to chemical spraying are available for maintaining weed-free town centres?

The team acknowledged the challenge of weed management without chemicals and stated that they are continually seeking effective operational solutions, with new equipment and funding improving capacity.

Chair’s Summary:

The Chair thanked the team for the presentation and their responses to the committee’s questions. The members all wished to thank the team for its hard work in keeping the county clean, its responsiveness to Members, and thanked the officers, as well as volunteers, for their litter picking efforts.