Data obtained under a Freedom of Information (FoI) request shows that during the first year of Liberal Democrat control, Stockport Council didn’t issue a single fine to address littering or unlicensed waste collectors. This follows a similar request earlier this year that showed that the Lib Dem run council only issues two fines for fly-tipping during the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Stockport Labour Group Leader, Cllr David Meller, said: “These figures show we have a council that, under the Liberal Democrats, is completely directionless. The statistics demonstrate we have a Lib Dem-run council that’s failing to get the basics right.
“Due to this government people are paying more in Council Tax but are getting less. By not fining or prosecuting those who are persistently blighting our communities, local residents are picking up the cost. Our council inboxes show we have regular offenders – but it seems the Lib Dems aren’t bothered.
Cllr Meller added: “This focus on getting the basics right is why my group pushed, despite some opposition from Lib Dem councillors, on reviews that consider the council’s most basic services: from how our grids are unblocked and our streets maintained to how we can hold those who provide our social housing to account.”
Under the Environmental Protection Act, all businesses are required to put in place measures to store and dispose of waste generated from their business. They should also ensure that waste is only removed by an authorised person and a transfer note for the waste is obtained and retained for two years.
However, despite numerous reports of illegal activity not one fine has been issued or prosecution made.
Newly elected councillor Helen Hibbert, who is leading for Stockport Labour on the review, said: “We need to start taking this seriously. Getting the basics right is fundamental to our duties as a council.
“Stockport Labour believes it is imperative to focus on improving residents’ home environment, and that starts with a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and littering. When I was young if we couldn’t find a bin, we took our litter home and we need to encourage all residents to look after their communities.”
Cllr Hibbert added: “Time and again residents talk to us about contractors leaving waste behind, not clearing up work sites and the impact this has on our streets. It ends up in our gutters and gulleys and contributes to issues around flooding, not to mention the environmental impact.
“A Stockport Labour administration would make this a priority by improving access to bins, increasing signage, working with businesses to develop a Tidier Stockport pledge and with GMP and council officers to identify hotspots and take action against offenders.”