Flytipping spirals “out of control” in Cheshire West and Chester

Latest statistics released by Cheshire West and Chester Council have revealed – as local Conservative councillors warned in 2024 – that flytipping is “out of control” across the borough.

Conservative councillors first raised concerns in summer 2024 about the spike in incidents and the direction of travel, but their warnings were ignored. Now we are seeing the consequences.

The headline figures make for very grim reading with massive increases across the board; reported incidents are up, the costs for clearing are up and the costs of taking action are up. Regrettably, the number of prosecutions is now at one of the lowest levels in recent years, with just 7 in 2024 compared to 33 in 2020 and 107 in 2018.

After Conservative councillors raised concerns about the worrying trend last year, the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Karen Shore, didn’t think there was a problem.

She was quoted in the press as saying:

“Cheshire West continues to have one of the lowest fly tipping rates in the country. Our residents have not turned into fly-tipping criminals in response to reasonable and cost-price charges for garden waste collections…" (Northwich Guardian, 07 August 2024).

Cllr Simon Eardley (Con, Saughall and Mollington), Shadow Cabinet Member for the Environment and Neighbourhood Pride, responding to the latest statistics, commented:

“The ruling Labour administration were woefully complacent last year when we raised concerns about the worrying spike in flytipping incidents which was evident to anyone who looked then. That trend has continued and effectively spiralled out of control. Those who commit these acts of environmental crime should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, but we need action – a real plan of action – from the council to tackle the problem. We called on them to do this last summer, but they didn’t listen.

“Flytipping appears to be out of control in Cheshire West and Chester. I see it on a weekly basis in the country lanes of the Saughall and Mollington ward. And it is residents who are picking up the bill for an 82% increase in incidents in the calendar year of 2024. The cost to the council in the financial year 2024/25 was a staggering £390,550 – a 105% increase on the previous. Something needs to change – urgently.”

“Labour just don’t get it. In fact, their actions mean we might see the situation deteriorate further. They have imposed a further increase to the ‘green waste collection’ charge this year, are charging to replace damaged or ‘lost’ refuse bins of all types and will soon introduce charges for the depositing of some DIY waste at local ‘tips.’

“Just because they can do these things, doesn’t mean they should. They need to consider the potential implications of their actions – which might mean more waste dumped in our country lanes. If so, it’s on their watch.”

Cllr Martin Loftus (Con, Hartford and Greenbank), Shadow Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, said:

“It is clear to anyone who looks that the Labour administration is asleep at the wheel when it comes to this environmental crime. It is time for them to act and get a grip of this appalling situation. What we need is an urgent response and action plan to address the issue. What is it that Labour aren’t doing? Do we need more officer support? Do we need a more concerted CCTV effort across the borough?

“Whatever is being done now isn’t working; we need sort this problem out quickly and send a clear message that flytipping won’t be tolerated in our area. That message just isn’t there now and it’s costing local taxpayers a fortune!’

A summary of the overall statistics is provided below.

Please note that CWaC produce information on both a ‘calendar year’ and ‘financial year’ basis:

• Total incidents for the 2024 calendar year = 3,728 (up from 2,046 in 2023) – an 82% increase.
• The trend for January to March 2025 is even worse. Same period in 2024 was 978 incidents, where it sits at 1,267 so far this year.
• Annual cost in 2024 for clearing was £200,722 (up from £128,379 the previous year) – a 56% increase.
• Combined annual costs of clearing and ‘dealing with’ (i.e. officer time etc) was £263,408 in 2024 (up from £177,850 in 2023) – a 48% increase.
• Number of prosecutions in 2024 was 7. One of the lowest figures since 2013, in 2020 there were 33 and in 2018 there were 107.
• On a financial year basis, the stats as follows:
  • Cost of clearing in 2024/25 was £333,503 (up from £135,930 in 2023/24)
  • Cost of action in 2024/25 was £57,047 (up from £54,490 in 2023/24)
  • Combined costs in 2024/25 was £390,550 (up from £190,420 in 2023/34) – a 105% increase.