Every tool at Calderdale's disposal will be used to tackle flytippers blighting our communities

Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Committee were discussing fly-tipping and littering in the borough, with the former still causing concern.

They are notoriously difficult to catch in the act but with new ways of using information, coupled with new technology and a three-strand strategy of education, engagement and enforcement put into play, council officers believe incidents can be reduced.

Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods, Andrew Pitts, outlined policy which includes developing use of the most suitable available technology through to prosecuting in every case possible including “naming and shaming” if there is no other option in order to make a difference.

Mr Pitts told members 2019 had seen a 13 per cent increase in fly-tipping on the previous year, mirroring national and regional experiences – for example the last four years had seen a 93 per cent increase in fly-tipping incidents in Leeds over that period, Bradford had seen a 37 per cent increase over the same period, Kirklees a 25 per cent increase in the past two years and Wakefield a smaller six per cent increase over a four-year period.

Earlier this year Calderdale approved an enforcement policy stepping up how it dealt with many forms of anti-social behaviour having been seen as something of a soft touch, said Mr Pitts.

Using data analysis to identify repeat locations and fly-tipping hot spots would lead to “target hardening” and potentially surveillance using cameras and, on occasions when staff were involved, body cams, he added.

Alongside this the council would talk to people involved in issues and make clear their responsibilities, providing help where necessary.

Coun Audrey Smith (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) was concerned care needed to be taken where people did not have means of taking material to recycling stations – for example, if they did not have a car – and had reservations about issuing penalty notices to some of the borough’s less well-off citizens.

Mr Pitts said both help and advice would be given where it could.

“But I have to say if after all the support, and everything done to help assist, if people persist in anti-social behaviour that doesn’t take into account their fellow citizens, that’s when we have to take action,” he said.

The council responses would be firm, fair and proportionate, said Mr Pitts.

“We don’t want to get into silly situations but we have got to be willing to say there is probably a limit,” he added.

Coun Dave Young (Lab, Calder) asked about cross-border incidents, for example at Calderdale’s moorland border with Burnley.

Community Safety Partnership Officer Derek Benn said there were arrangements with neighbouring authorities with similar issues at the Bradford border.

Sharing information and using intelligence, including that supplied by the public, with streamlined forms being made available for the public to report incidents, more effectively was important, the board heard.