When I’m out and about in Exeter, one of the issues residents often raise with me is the fly-tipping that blights our countryside. Recently, during one of my weekly door-to-door sessions in Stoke Hill, I heard concerns about illegal dumping in Stoke Woods. As many of you know, Stoke Woods is not only a much-loved local green space but also an ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
To be clear, this isn’t about individuals who decide not to make the trip to the tip. It’s about dodgy cowboy operators posing as legitimate businesses, making money by illegally dumping waste. I recently stood up in Parliament to ask the Government what they are doing to break this cycle and tackle the financial incentives behind this criminal business model.
I’m pleased to say that there has been progress. The Government has increased funding for the Environment Agency, which is the body responsible for enforcing action on waste crime. This year, the budget for waste crime enforcement has risen by 50% to £15.6 million, and a new economic crime unit has been launched to disrupt organised crime groups and other offenders. Local authorities are also being given more powers to clear up the mess and prosecute those responsible.
Commercial fly-tipping is a scourge, and while enforcement is vital, we all have a role to play. Every one of us has a duty to make sure we’re using legitimate waste management companies who dispose of rubbish responsibly. If you’re ever in doubt, you can check a company’s waste carrier registration on the Environment Agency’s website.
Exeter is one of the greenest cities in the UK, with a high density of parks and open spaces. I want to make sure we protect them for everyone to enjoy.
