Labour councillor hits out at Trafford Council's changes to environmental enforcement

Cllr Jane Baugh saw the debris in Priory Woods in Sale.

The council’s environmental enforcement team were formerly responsible for targeting littering offences including dog fouling and fly-tipping, prosecuting the more serious offences, but under a new set-up this would be undertaken by park staff and PCSOs.

Priory ward councillor Jane Baugh - who is pictured alongside the dumped rubbish - hit out at the plans to cut staff who deal with fly tipping, dog fouling and similar problems She said "Like most councillors, I get a lot of complaints about dog fouling and fly tipping.

“Unfortunately some people cannot be bothered to take their rubbish to the local tip and just dump it on public land.

“The council's environment and community enforcement team do a vital job and if this Conservative council goes ahead with the proposal to disband this team, there will be no deterrent to this anti social behaviour and no -one to make sure that fly tipped rubbish is cleaned up.

“This is a cut too far and, in the long run will cost us dearly as our environment deteriorates.”

But council chiefs have strongly defended the move.

Cllr Alan Mitchell, executive member for environment, transport and operations, has said that under the changes: “We propose increased partnership working with both police officers and PCSOs, who can issue on the spot fines, and also parks and other council staff, that will provide greater coverage of the borough than before.

“This is about changing behaviours and getting people to wake up to their responsibilities to the community. I am disappointed Labour doesn’t share this view.”

Under the plans, PCSOs will receive training and advice to ensure they engage with people who litter or allow dog fouling.

CCTV will also be made use of and a new role of civil enforcement project manager will be introduced for a 12 month period to help manage the changeover.