Fly-tipping is a problem in our communities. Councils devote a significant amount of resources to picking it up and disposing of it.

It has increased during and after lockdown as people had sort-outs of their lofts and garages. People are recycling more material via the doorstep collections, and you will notice that the charity shops are often refusing donations after a certain time of day, as they are full.

Old furniture can be recycled or donated, but to dispose of it will involve booking a bulky waste collection from the council or a charity collection. Unfortunately, sometimes people can’t or won’t pay for collection or arrange for a free collection, and rather than recycle or donate to charity, the stuff gets dumped.

It is very hard to prevent fly-tipping. It is illegal, and the police and council enforcement agencies will seek to fine or prosecute offenders. But it still occurs because it is hard to police everywhere, as councils and police have scarce resources.

What are the solutions? Education about the problems caused for all by fly-tipping, promotion of the free and low-cost services that are available, well-lit and overlooked donation points in convenient locations – all these can help. CCTV is often called for – but again there is much demand for this and not enough units to cover everywhere people would like.

And often if you enhance an area as a community, there is then the desire to keep it tidy. That’s why in Podsmead we are looking at all the areas where fly-tipping occurs, and working on practical solutions to it.

I regularly report fly-tipping that I spot or that residents let me know about. I have also asked a question of the leader of the council on this topic. Your ideas are welcome on how we can do more.