Fly-tippers costing Oldham's council tax payers over £4m a year

Oldham's council taxpayers are having to shell out more than £4.2m a year to clean up dumped sofas, discarded bags of household rubbish and litter.

That figure has been released by the council, who have stated that 'a small minority of lazy and irresponsible people still think it is ok for the council to clean up after them and for their neighbours, and fellow residents, to pay'.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Keeping the borough clean is a priority for the council and just one of the many services Council tax pays for.

“The more it costs to keep our streets, roads and public spaces rubbish-free means we have less money to spend on other things – such as protecting the old and vulnerable.

“No one should leave their waste in alleyways or at the side of the road and think it’ll get taken away.

“Your household waste is your responsibility. Get rid of it properly by putting it in the right bin, taking it to the tip or getting in touch with us and arranging a collection from Bulky Bob’s.

“There are no excuses.

“Ten years ago, it was costing more than £4m just to get rid of litter, which includes waste like dumped black bags full of rubbish.

"Add on what was being spent to clean up fly-tipping and the spend was a lot higher.

“This goes to show Don’t Trash Oldham has worked and has had a really positive impact in our communities.

“Even so, these new figures are staggering – especially when money is tight for everyone at the minute.

“The work our teams and residents have done in the last two years has improved our communities.

"I hate to think what the borough would look like if we hadn’t stepped up and taken action.

“Work with us to clean up our town – the money we spend cleaning up litter and rubbish could be used on other services that benefit communities.”

To put the figures into perspective, £4.2m is equivalent to:

The annual salaries of 113 new social workers

84 brand new fully equipped play areas

168,000 potholes repairs

The planting of 11,000 standard trees or the creation of 1,500 hectares of new woodland

Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Fly-tipping and littering are problems across the country. We aren’t naïve, we know the issues won’t go away.

“But through Don’t Trash Oldham we are doing something about it.

“We’ve got engagement teams out in our neighbourhoods talking to residents and making sure they have all the information they need when it comes to waste and recycling.

“Our enforcement staff are also continuing to take action against those who fly tip their waste.

“We are all paying more for things than we did a few years ago and the same goes for waste disposal

“If you see someone dumping waste report it to us.

"We’ll investigate and if there is evidence, we will take action.

"Since we started Don’t Trash Oldham more than 600 people have been handed fines for environmental crimes.”

If you have any unwanted bulky or large household items that you want picking up, then collections can be booked via Bulky Bob’s on 0161 770 6644.

Charges apply.

By using this service your furniture could be donated to a family in need.

If you use another waste carrier, check they are licensed – or you could up in trouble if you waste is found dumped.

Check licences at: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index

Waste and recycling can also be disposed at Arkwright Street Household Waste and Recycling Centre seven days a week.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.