September 21, 2022 1.55 pm This story is over 18 months old

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (South Holland District Council, East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council)

Litter, dog-fouling and fly-tipping and other enviro-crime offences which blight communities are to be tackled with enforcement across the whole of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership geographical area.

A tendering process which invites businesses to carry out enforcement across the three councils has been launched for the first time. By opening up procurement to work across South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey is a key milestone for the Partnership while also being able to address enviro-crime head on across each authority.

Following the completion of the process, the successful bidder will provide foot patrols and overt CCTV surveillance across the Partnership to tackle littering, dog fouling and fly tipping. Officers will also be able to enforce offences in areas under Public Space Protection Orders.

CCTV surveillance has already proved successful in Boston at fly-tipping hotspots with incidents on a downward trend. Enviro-crime enforcement officers have also recently started in East Lindsey and now the scheme aims to share that best practice by introducing the measures across the Partnership.

The launch of the procurement process is a significant milestone for the Communities Directorate as set out in the Annual Delivery Plan.

Cllr Deborah Evans, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services at Boston Borough Council said: “While I have been frustrated by the length of time it has taken to get the tender out, I can see the huge benefits of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership coming together to make our councils attractive to potential enforcement companies and better value for money for our residents.

“Giving us a wider choice will deliver the best possible outcome and service for the people of Boston.”

Cllr Martin Foster, Portfolio Holder for Operational Services at East Lindsey District Council said: “I am very happy that Partnership working has led to this opportunity to help deliver a wider-approach to tackling enviro-crime across each authority.

“By working across the Partnership, the successful bidder will also help deliver our key education messages to all our residents no matter where they live over such things as fly-tipping and litter.”

Cllr Anthony Casson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, at South Holland District Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for enforcement companies to operate across three councils and make a difference to enviro-crime issues which impact so many villages and towns.

“I am sure residents will be supportive to bring this enforcement to South Holland and being able to deliver a cost-effective way to tackle the problem collectively for all our residents is a positive step forward.”

September 6, 2022 4.08 pm This story is over 18 months old

Five South Holland fly-tippers came away with fixed penalty notices (FPNs) totalling £1,000 between July 4 and August 4, as the District Council continued to crack down on offenders.

£200 FPNs were issued on each occasion for a variety of different types of fly-tip across the District. Reports were received from Lincolnshire Police and the public.

These helped the Council identify those responsible; interviews were carried out and notices were issued for the offence.

The fly-tips involved were:

  • A tyre on Browntoft Lane in Donington
  • 10 bags of garden waste on Acklam Avenue in Spalding
  • General waste in a layby on the A17 near Holbeach
  • General waste on Severn Road in Spalding
  • Bagged waste on Burlies Gate in Long Sutton.

Fixed penalty notices provide a quick and effective way of dealing with smaller environmental and community protection offences, are generally used with first-time offenders, minor offences and ‘one-off’ incidents.

The notices are part of a series of recent successful investigations by the Council, including back in June when a man was ordered to pay total costs of over £3,000 after being found guilty of fly-tipping by Boston Magistrates Court.

The fly-tipping at Aklam Avenue, Spalding. | Photo: South Holland District Council

Councillor Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and facilities said “It has been a busy month for our community safety team, and it is great to see their hard work pay off, with fast and decisive action taken against these offenders.

“Fly-tipping is a blight on our towns, villages, waterways and countryside, and we will always look to bring those responsible to justice and help to keep South Holland clean and safe.

“I would like to thank the Council team, Lincolnshire Police and the local residents who helped to identify these individuals. Working together we will always have the best possible chance of being able to find the culprits and take strong, positive action against them.”

More fly-tipping at the A17 lay-by near Holbeach. | Photo: South Holland District Council

Fly-tip at Burlies Gate Long Sutton. | Photo: South Holland District Council

Fly-tipping can be reported through South Holland District Council’s website, along with other environmental and anti-social behaviour issues, by visiting www.sholland.gov.uk/reportit.

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