Memorandum by the Environment Agency (GTS
48)
The Agency welcomes the opportunity to comment
on the views expressed at the inquiry hearing on 29 June 2004
in which it was commented that the Agency ". . . did not
want to know anything about the fly-tipping issues and they passed
it back to the district . . .".
Both the Agency and local authorities have powers
to tackle fly-tipping. The Local Government Association (LGA)
and the Agency have entered into an agreement as to the division
of responsibilities between the Agency and local authorities to
ensure effective working without duplication of effort. The Agency
will in general focus on tackling large-scale illegal dumping
(eg more than a tipper-lorry load of waste), involvement of organised
criminals in waste-crime and the illegal dumping of drums of hazardous
waste. Local authorities should in general focus their efforts
on smaller-scale fly-tipping and littering—such as is the
case at Cottenham.
In the case of the fly-tipping referred to in
evidence to the Committee, this is properly a matter for the local
authority, in this case the District Council, to tackle. The Agency's
local Area office has previously worked with the District Council
and has explained the Agency's position as well as providing advice
on the potential scope for enforcement action in this area. These
discussions with the local authority resulted in agreement being
reached with the District Council as to their lead-role at this
site.
July 2004
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