Agenda item

The Wentlooge representative reported that there have been a lot of litter picking groups now after lockdown which raised lots of questions and the Wentlooge representatives requested for an officer to come to the next meeting to clarify some points.

It was discussed how with the bag collections it was reported that there was a refusal to collect in certain areas and the biggest point was that with the rubbish that was taken out of a ditch which was alongside the road the current understanding was that it was not a Newport Council issue but the landowner’s issue. 

The Wentlooge representative asked that in relation to the ditch on the highway was this Newport Council’s and is the rubbish there collectable or not.

The Chair confirmed that the Governance Support officer was recording the questions asked and advice from City Services would be sought in relation to who was responsible.

The Wentlooge representative stated that what was hoped for was a system of support and more support for local groups as they were cleaning a lot of areas up and it was felt that the help of the local authority was required. There are now two groups in the Wentlooge level. It was explained that over the last year a local waste company removed 300-400 bags of litter which was helping the authority by doing this as it would cost thousands, but the local groups needed support.

The Marshfield representative stated that she totally supported what the Wentlooge representatives had stated and explained that she was part of Marshfield Magpies group and over lockdown they have had a tremendous amount of litter and fly tipping. On their boundary field is a middle of a ditch and in this were 200 tyres and one lot was removed but the landowner should have removed it. Litter was removed after it was reported by using the app. The community was working really hard to solve this by reporting fly tipping, but it was felt that there was a real battle with Newport City Council and with certain officers as it was felt that they were a nuisance and that they shouldn’t be litter picking as it’s an inconvenience and causing more work.

The Chair stated that  he was surprised by these comments as litter picks are encouraged by Newport City Council, but it was not for them to reply. It may be beneficial for Christine Thomas (Trade and Enforcement Manager) or Silvia Gonzalez Lopez (Service Manager Waste and Cleansing) to attend a future Community Councils Liaison meeting to discuss litter picking.

Councillor Yvonne Forsey stated that they had spoken to a Keep Wales Tidy representative today and more provision had been made for swifter pickups on the weekend have been arranged. But there was also talk about the need to coordinate litter picks in the city.

The Chair agreed that this needed to be coordinated.

Agreed:

For Christine Thomas (Trade and Enforcement Manager) or Silvia Gonzalez Lopez (Service Manager Waste and Cleansing) to be requested to attend a future Community Councils Liaison meeting to discuss litter picking. Keep Wales Tidy representative Matthew Selwood to also be contacted to attend.