Council and democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL. View directions

Contact: Jenny Shade, Senior Democratic Services Officer  Email: Direct.Democracy@thurrock.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

17.

Declaration of Interests

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

18.

Thames21- Presentation Only

Minutes:

The Chair announced that Emma Harrington, the Development Manager for Thames21 had been taken ill and would not be presenting her report tonight. The Chair asked that this item be added to the work programme for a future committee.

 

19.

Linford Household Waste & Recycling Centre - Commercial Vehicle Access Policy pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Minutes:

Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, presented the report that following an independent survey undertaken in June 2017 and a separate investigation undertaken by the Fraud Team, it was evident that a significant degree of commercial waste abuse on site was jeopardising the site’s environmental permit, exacerbating capacity issues and had created significant avoidable waste disposal costs.

 

Daniel Helps, Senior Manager, Counter Fraud & Investigations, stated that over an eight day period of investigation and surveillance there had been over 100 visits by vehicles which appeared to be disposing trade waste with some vehicles making multiple visits in one day. This had resulted in penalty notices being issued and in some cases vehicles being seized. It was also evident that vehicles from outside the borough were also using the site to dispose of trade waste.

 

The report further explored the options to reduce the unauthorised disposal and recommended that a van and trailer permit scheme be introduced. The option to introduce a permit system, to limit the potential for commercial waste abuse on-site, where vans and trailers on-site would be required to show a valid permit each time they accessed the site. Julie Rogers stated that initially there may be potential fly-tipping from those vehicles from outside the borough which the cleansing team will monitor and address

 

Councillor Jones thanked the Officers for the report.

 

Councillor Cherry asked why the producing of proof of residency had stopped on the site. Julie Rogers stated that this was due to the observed activity, health and safety of staff and planned action going forward.

 

Councillor Cherry questioned whether any staff members on the site were under suspicion. Daniel Helps stated that an ongoing investigation was in place and he was unable to disclose any information at this time.

 

Councillor Cherry asked if CCTV would be set up on the site. Julie Rogers stated that CCTV was already in place with the camera near the entrance being able to read registration number plates. Daniel Helps stated that CCTV would form part of the redevelopment of the site.

 

Councillor Collins questioned whether vehicles that fly-tipped could be followed and fined. Daniel Helps stated that if this was the case investigations would take place which could include surveillance; he and Julie have already discussed this as a way forward.

 

Councillors Collins questioned whether the 12 visits per year had been written in stone or could this be reviewed.  Julie Rogers stated that 12 visits had been recommended using best practise and experience of other local authorities and that the balance of 12 visits worked well. If permits were lost or stolen a resident could apply for a new one but would only have the balance of time remaining transferred to the new permit.

 

Councillor Cherry questioned whether the permit was designed specifically for one person with one vehicle. Julie Rogers stated the each permit would have its own serial number and would include the vehicle registration number so that it could not be copied or transferred.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.