To respond to the motion passed by full Council on 13 October 2017 which resolved that the Executive is asked to write on behalf of Herefordshire Council to government making the following points:

1.           The cuts in local authority funding have impacted our ability to deliver non statutory services.  The rural sparsity of Herefordshire presents a particular challenge to our street cleaning programme and verge litter clearing, which are non-statutory services.

2.           The increasing volume of litter being dropped in the county on our streets and both major and minor roads is unsightly and dangerous.  We recognise the tremendous efforts made by local people who go on litter picks or who just pick up litter when they see it.  However, it is neither practical nor safe to rely on local volunteers to litter pick on busy highways.

3.           Therefore, we raise this issue with the suggestion that sufficient finances be made available to local authorities to attend to the problem.  Such money should be raised from a tax on fast food (take away) outlets, confectionary and crisp manufacturers, alcohol and soft drink companies and tobacco companies since these are the main contributors to the problem.  It will not be a pasty tax but a litter tax (although some benefit to health may accrue).

4.           Defra should also be encouraged to run a campaign to stop the careless disposal of but encourage the recycling of silage wrappers, fertiliser bags, seed bags, feed sacks, baling twine and mineral buckets.

5.           Furthermore, the Executive is asked to consider whether further steps can be taken to support parish councils, local community groups and individuals who wish to deal with this problem in their area.   The Executive is also asked to look into what can be done to encourage local business to engage with this challenge to reduce waste and litter in our lovely county.

This report details the Executive’s response to this motion.

That:

(a)   the continued efforts of the council teams, their service provider Balfour Beatty Living Places and the community, working together are recognised; and

(b)   the Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services writes to the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the Environment, and the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, as drafted in appendix 1 to this report.

(c)   As part of the development of the public realm services in the 2018/19 Annual Plan, the council teams and Balfour Beatty Living Places consider whether further steps can be taken through the lengthsman scheme and community commissioning model to support parish councils, local community groups and individuals who wish to deal with this problem in their area. 

(d)   teams continue to encourage local business to engage with this challenge to reduce litter and waste in our lovely county.

The continued works of all are recognised; and no letter is sent to the MP or the responsible government department. This is not recommended because by not writing we will not be capitalising on this opportunity to raise funding that can be used to keep our county clean. Further that the approach service remains set as is, this is not recommended. This as such approaches are contrary to the outcome focus established for services through the public realm services contract. Such an approach would stifle continuous improvement.