Extra resources have been allocated to address fly-tipping and overflowing waste sites in Allerdale.
Allerdale Borough Council member for Christchurch in Cockermouth, Andy Semple, gave a speech at a meeting of the full council last month, raising concerns about the scene at his local waste site over Christmas.
Councillor Semple said that packaging and waste is being fly-tipped at bring sites and the facilities at Sullart Street are of a particular concern.
Leader of the Allerdale Independent Group Paul Scott also spoke at the January meeting to express concerns about the “well below standard” appearance in areas of Workington town centre.
Allerdale council’s leader Mike Johnson made an announcement at the most recent full council meeting on Wednesday, informing councillors that additional resource has been put in place to address the issues.
Cllr Johnson said: “As members will recall at the last council meeting, members raised concerns about the bring sites at Sullart Street and expressed a desire for more enforcement action to deal with these issues of fly-tipping.
“The chief executive and chief officers have delivered a new structure that focuses on the importance of delivering business as usual activity, implementing key projects and a council strategy delivery plan, enabling a smooth transition to the new unitary authority.
“The new structure includes an education and enforcement manager in addition to a new community cohesion officer.”
Cllr Johnson said: “The latter is working with the travelling community amongst others which in turn gives the enforcement team additional capacity to work on live issues of fly-tipping and dog fouling.”
The leader said that all positions have been filled and positive results are being seen.
“In relation to the fly-tipping at Sullart Street, Cockermouth, the new education enforcement manager has implemented attendance at the bring sites on most days and adapting previous working patterns, engagement with members of the public on site.”
Spot checks have been carried out with businesses on their compliance and waste management.
The council has also engaged with businesses, 10 of which are still to provide a valid waste contract and duty of care. They have been given a time frame to meet the requirement before action is taken.
Cllr Johnson said that four people have been identified after investigation of waste fly-tipped at Sullart Street and they have all been issued with fixed penalty notices.
Plans are also being carried out for improved partnership working between Tivoli – the council’s street cleaning partner and AWS.
