At the Scrutiny Committee meeting on 1 July 2025, the Committee requested an update on the Council’s work to mitigate fly-tipping and the work on little management.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies, Helen Bishop, Director of Communities and Citizens Services and Tina Mould, Environment Sustainability Business Lead will be in attendance to present the report and answer questions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

The report will be published in a supplement ahead of the meeting.

At the Scrutiny Committee meeting on 1 July 2025, the Committee requested an update on the Council’s work to mitigate fly-tipping and the work on little management. 

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies, Helen Bishop, Director of Communities and Citizens Services, Tina Mould, Environment Sustainability Business Lead, Maria Warner, Social Value and Sustainability Lead, and Bruce Thompson, ODS Head of Environmental Services, were present to respond to questions. 

Councillor Chapman provided a comprehensive introduction, noting that the report had been specifically requested by the Committee.  

The Chair invited questions from the Committee.  

Councillor Ottino queried how effective the signage around the city is, why there are not more, and why signs are not automatically placed in fly tipping hotspots. More data regarding fly tipping locations and hotspots was requested. Councillor Ottino also asked what is being done to encourage communities to not fly tip and to be more proactive in keeping their areas free of rubbish.  

 
Councillor Qayyum left the meeting and did not return.  

Councillor Chapman noted that whilst fly tipping signage is not always useful and therefore is not always installed, it is generally a positive feature. Any installation delays are not related to budget matters but likely due to organisation of resources.  

The ODS Head of Environmental Services noted that fly tipping hotspots are largely seasonal in nature and heavily linked to students occupying accommodation in term times. Issues with landlord responsibilities being upheld and poor bin store designs were also noted.  

Councillor Chapman and the ODS Head of Environmental Services explained the collection rates of bulky waste in relation to fly tipping trends. It was noted that fly tipping predominantly occurs to the east of the city and the centre; reference was made to morning collections following events within the nighttime economy.  

Councillor Jarvis queried the strategy for addressing fly tipping of smaller items around bins and asked what capacity there is for effectively dealing with litter in the parks. Councillor Jarvis also asked whether anything more could be done to handle the waste from licensed premises. 

The ODS Head of Environmental Services outlined the identification of bins which are and are not used and expressed caution in removing bins as a method of deterring fly tipping. The Committee also heard that ODS usually responds positively to requests for additional bins and Members were assured that litter collection in parks is adapted around weather to ensure a responsive service is delivered. In parks, it was also noted that bins are placed at exits to discourage dropping of litter around the wider park area and to ensure vehicles can easily reach the collection points.  

The Director of Communities and Citizens Services informed the Committee that ODS are currently reviewing their approach to litter collection across the street scene. Suggestions of anti-fly tipping campaigns were also acknowledged for exploration. 

Councillor Miles outlined a two-minute litter pick scheme which had been successful in Cutteslowe Park and suggested this be placed in additional settings.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113