Dartford Labour Councillors Call For Tougher Action on Fly Tipping

14th November, 2024

PRESS RELEASE – Latest

Dartford Labour Councillors call for more CCTV cameras and bigger fines after it was revealed fly tipping was on the rise in Dartford.

A report to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week ⁽¹⁾ revealed the failure of the Conservative administration to tackle fly tipping. The report, which revealed that fly tipping incidents were increasing across the Borough. There were 476 incidents in the second quarter of 2024– at 21% increase on the first quarter ^(2). The report revealed significant failings in the Conservatives soft touch approach.

The Conservative Council is choosing not to levy the maximum possible fines for fly-tipping. Local Authorities have been able to fine individuals a maximum of £1000 for fly tipping since August 2023 ^(3), Many Councils, including our neighbours in Gravesham and Sevenoaks, are now using the higher deterrent. Leader of Dartford Council Jeremy Kite and the responsible Cabinet Member Richard Wells have not acted. The maximum fine in Dartford is £500
80% of fines issued the last 12 months remain unpaid. Of 240 fines issued between 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024, only 44 have been paid.
The Conservatives have failed to employ cameras at fly tipping hotspots. 97% of fly tips in the last 12 months were at locations where fly tipping had previously occurred. Leonard Avenue in Swanscombe was the scene of 26 separate fly tips in the last 12 months – but there are no CCTV cameras to deter fly tippers

Leader of opposition Cllr Jonathon Hawkes said;

“There is no excuse for people to fly tip in our community. It’s a crime and it makes people’s lives a misery. That’s why its extraordinary that the Conservatives are making Dartford a soft touch for fly tippers by not using the maximum possible penalties available. They aren’t delivering a strong enough deterrent and by failing to match the fines in Gravesham and Sevenoaks the Conservatives are creating an incentive for fly tippers to visit Dartford and blight our community. A Labour Council would take a different approach and come down much harder on fly tippers by increasing fines and introducing more CCTV.

Labour Councillor Victoria Akintomide-Akinwamide said;

“Residents in Swanscombe are frustrated that we see fly tipping repeatedly in our community and nothing is done about it.. Leonard Avenue has been fly tipped twice a month, every month for a year and the Council haven’t taken action. As a resident of Swanscombe, I believe that is unacceptable and the Council must rectify it”

Labour Councillors Emma Ben Moussa and Claire Pearce said;

“We will be lobbying the Conservative run Council to install CCTV in this location so we have a proper deterrent and offenders can be caught.”

ENDS

Notes