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. Councillor Miles also queried the deep cleaning schedule for main road stretches in high footfall areas of the city, especially in relation to litter and mess connected to the nighttime economy. Finally, it was asked what is done to manage litter picking on immediate side streets away from main zones. 

Councillor Chapman left the meeting and did not return. 

On Councillor Miles’ suggestion, the ODS Head of Environmental Services committed to looking at the feasibility of litter picking boards in conjunction with the Director of Communities and Citizens Services, noting that it had previously been trialled. In relation to litter hotspots in the summer, the Committee heard that members of the public hosting gatherings in the parks are offered gloves and bags to collect their own rubbish; this has some success. In relation to deep cleaning of areas off the main roads, the approach varies dependent on the area; details were provided. The ODS Head of Environmental Services invited Members to notify him of any areas which require additional attention. Finally, the Committee were assured that every road throughout the city centre is swept thoroughly, and residential areas are attended throughout the day.  

The Chair queried why the recycling rate has declined recently. 

Councillor Ottino queried how certain the Council is of where litter is located; examples of litter embedded in hedges were referenced. A suggestion was made for more signage, perhaps designed by children. 

Councillor Miles left the meeting and did not return. 

The Environment Sustainability Business Lead confirmed that garden waste and paper recycling rates have declined in recent years. The Committee heard that this fits with national trends since the pandemic and Members also learned of issues with increasing waste contamination rates.  

The Social Value and Sustainability Lead emphasised the steady decline in garden waste rates since the pandemic and an increase in domestic waste contamination. The Committee were informed that a new stream of work would be focusing on this to improve recycling rates.  

In response to Councillor Ottino, the ODS Head of Environmental Services emphasised his confidence that the relevant teams are aware of the locations of litter requiring collection and clarified that litter in hedges is extracted thoroughly when hedges are trimmed annually.  

Councillor Ottino raised concerns relating to collection from bin stores.  

The Social Value and Sustainability Lead outlined the variable collection methods dependant on the owner of the bin store, including those on council owned land. The Committee understand that a focus on bin store design would be included in the upcoming workstream. The Social Value and Sustainability Lead and the ODS Head of Environmental Services also set out how waste is collected from various bin stores and the logistics of access requirements. 

Community and education initiatives in relation to litter collection were also acknowledged and encouraged for consideration within future workstreams. 

Councillor Ottino queried where responsibility lies for litter collection in ditches and waterways. 

The ODS Head of Environmental Services outlined the responsibilities of ODS and emphasised that staff are not requested to collect litter in a manner which may be deemed unsafe. Furthermore, the shared responsibilities with the Environment Agency were also outlined.  

The Committee understood that matters related to waterways would be discussed as a separate item at the next meeting of the Committee.  

The Chair invited the Committee to consider possible recommendations. 

The Committee resolved to recommend to Cabinet: 

1. To explore the provision of facilities in parks during the summer period to allow “2-minute litter picks” where this would be beneficial. 

2. To review the appropriateness of measures businesses, have in place to ensure that the waste they produce is managed responsibly and that they are encouraging their customers to dispose of litter appropriately.  

3. To audit the use of signage in areas with high levels of fly-tipping and to consider where additional signage could be most effectively implemented. 

4. That Council consider reengaging with education programmes and resources aimed at addressing behaviours and culture relating to litter and fly-tipping. 

5. That future reports include a breakdown of locations with high levels of litter across the city, presented visually on a map where possible. 

The Chair thanked Councillor Chapman, the Director of Communities and Citizens Services, the Environment Sustainability Business Lead, the Social Value and Sustainability Lead, and the ODS Head of Environmental Services.  

Councillor Chapman, the Director of Communities and Citizens Services, the Environment Sustainability Business Lead, the Social Value and Sustainability Lead, and the ODS Head of Environmental Services left the meeting and did not return.