Agenda item

3.1.      Nathan Thompson gave a well received presentation about the role of the Environmental Crime Enforcement Team, showing what types of crimes they respond to, the current approaches they use to do so, and highlighting some of the specific areas in the Brockley ward that are flytipping hot-spots. Please see presentation attached.

3.2.      Attendees had a number of questions for Nathan following his presentation which included the following:

Q - How should residents dispose of or recycle items that are not small electrical items e.g. televisions and microwaves?

A - A number of suggestions were made including:

•           donating working goods to a charity such as the British Heart Foundation (who will collect);

•           using a licensed waste carrier to collect items for a fee;

•           using the council’s Bulky Waste collection service

It was also noted by a resident that there is a recycling point for small electrical goods (such as hairdryers) near the co-op on St Norbert’s Road.

Q – Why doesn’t the Council take DIY waste as other neighbouring boroughs do? It leads to more flytipping of such items as people can’t take them to the recycling centre to dispose of.

A – Nathan said that he had received similar feedback from other sessions recently delivered and would bring it to the attention of senior colleagues. He explained it was currently a policy issue, and Councillors requested details to take back to the appropriate cabinet member.

Q – Are people leaving their bins on the pavement in the jurisdiction of your team and can they be fined?

A – Bins being left out are not in Nathan’s team’s jurisdiction unless there is waste and refuse being left on the pavement from over production – Bins on streets are overseen by the refuse team who allocate bins to properties who have no off street placement making proportionate enforcement difficult if there are no waste issues present (images attached). Leaving bins on the pavement is no longer a criminal offence but the team will send out written advice until the bins that cannot be stored on the pavement are addressed. Attention was also drawn to households that may have limited bin capacity and/or space to store bins in properties with multiple homes which can exacerbate issues. It was confirmed that if unsecured waste is left on the pavement (i.e. waste not in a bin), that can be reported to Nathan’s team, will be removed and is enforceable if the offender can be identified..

Q – There are several vehicles on Harefield Mews possibly associated with the business based there.

A – Nathan requested this was reported to colleagues to check whether enforcement is possible and would need to check the highways register.

Highways map below confirms it is adopted highway (coloured in red)

Q – There is often commercial waste near the top of Upper Brockley Road near the war memorial. As rubbish begets rubbish, some people add to commercial waste that has been left out for collection thinking it’s appropriate – particularly noted in tree pits near Brockley Cross. It would be helpful to have designated areas for commercial waste – perhaps in lockers?

A - Nathan explained that colleagues were looking at a schedule for commercial waste collection which would mean bags would be left out for shorter periods of time meaning they would be less likely to attract pests and be ripped open or damaged. This is known as time banded waste collections where commercial and domestic properties without bins would only be allowed to place bags on the street during certain times. A pilot is being planned by Danielle Emery Head of Environmental Street Services.

Q – Who is responsible for the mess left by pigeons under the railway arches (specifically the bridge approaching Brockley Station)?

A – TFL/Network Rail are responsible for bridges and the roads underneath. Nathan said that there had been numerous reports at some sites (e.g. the bridge at Loampit Vale), but that it had proved difficult to get a response. He did explain some work was undertaken on the bridge on Brownhill Road – Enforcement, Cleaning and Refuse had worked together to clear the space, but said netting is needed to keep birds away and installation of this would need to be carried out by TFL/Network Rail. He suggested that excessive waste could constitute an environmental health issue.

Q – How often are roads swept?

A – Cllr Lahai-Taylor said she would request details of the schedule.

Q – Is graffiti an enforceable crime?

A – Yes it is, as per the ASB Act 2003. If it is witnessed, a penalty notice can be issued. The cleansing team will remove reported graffiti within 7 days, and withing 24 hours if offensive in nature. If it is offensive and on business premises the owner will be asked to address it, if they refuse they can be issued with a legal notice to comply.

Q – What about Flyposting?

A – Nathan explained that notices placed without permission on lampposts can obscure the vision of drivers, and the enforcement team can issue fines to the person who places the advertisement but only compliance notices to the beneficiary – e.g. a music promotor advertising a music event can be served an enforcement notice, instructed to remove notices and prohibited from putting up notices in the future.

.

Q – Councillor Penfold asked if there had been a reduction in flytipping in the last 2 years.

A – Nathan explained that there had been changes in the enforcement team in the last two years. The rate of notices has increased and the team are currently issuing 60-100 Fixed Penalty Notices per month with payment rates of around 60%. They are also making themselves more visible via posters and tape to identify “crime scenes”. Nathan said the team would continue to look for ways to make it easier for residents to dispose of items responsibly, and look at how they might get the message across.

Q – Is street art a type of graffiti and why is there more and more of it, such as the market mural on the side of Lewisham Shopping Centre?

A – Cllr Lahai-Taylor explained that it was not graffiti - the art was often commissioned by local amenity groups and showed the culture of Lewisham residents. Cllr Eiles also added that having something there as opposed to a “blank canvas” may deter graffiti but acknowledged that personal tastes may mean residents may have different feelings about some of the street art.

3.3.      A number of additional suggestions were also made which Nathan agreed to take back to colleagues:

•           As there are a number of people who ‘dump’ excess waste near recycling banks, it may be helpful to have a number on the banks to get comms involved to created signage that gives information on who to contact if they are full (residents can email recycle@lewisham.gov.uk) or strategic waste manager Wendy Nicholas

•           Enhanced educational messaging for residents would be helpful as some people may not know what to do with their waste -additional info/ advice leaflets around bins on streets, leaving uncontained waste on private land have been printed to compliment already existing leaflets on correct waste disposal..

•           A stall could be held at Hilly Fields Fayre in June

3.4.      The following observations were also made:

•           The planters near Geoffrey Road were helping to deter flytipping

•           If a place looks cared for, it can be a deterrent

•           A number of attendees acknowledged the efforts of Nathan and his team and said that the posters in some areas were working well to deter flytipping.

•           Attention was also drawn to the free mattress recycling service

3.5.      Contact details were shared:

To report environmental crime, you can email: envirocrime.enforcement@lewisham.gov.uk

Any questions about recycling should be directed to Recycle@lewisham.gov.uk 

3.6.      The Environmental Crime Enforcement Team are able to erect additional no fly tipping signage to street lampposts and railings where it is needed upon request. You can ask for this through your local ward councillors or by emailing envirocasework@lewisham.gov.uk

3.7.      Thanks were given to Nathan for an engaging presentation and an informative session.