Councillors call for technology in fight against fly-tipping in Fife

Tay Bridgehead councillors Jonny Tepp and Tim Brett are frustrated by fly-tipping in the Kingdom and hope that progress can be made making use of mapping software and new cheaper CCTV technology.

The councillors say this technology, which could be used to show where problems have been reported and what action is being taken, is fully operational in some other councils in the UK but not in Fife.

The pair repeatedly request information on the available statistics for reported incidents, warnings, and fines and on actions being taken to deal with the problem.

The Fife Council Safer Communities team report on fly-tipping based on the number of reports they receive, and currently they are unable to map the reports to provide a more accurate assessment of the number of fly-tipping incidents they are dealing with.

Cllr Tepp said: “We have been frustrated by the fly-tipping problem for a long time.

“We receive regular reports but they do not help us to understand where fly-tipping is happening or how it is being dealt with. Some other councils provide this sort of information on their websites for the whole world to see. We can’t help feeling there are potential savings to be made here.

“Better intelligence would also enable quick decisions to be made around the deployment of CCTV.”

Cllr Brett added: “We are still concerned that we do not know the number of dumping incidents – just the number of reports received.

“Mapping of reports would provide a clearer picture to councillors, the safer community team, and members of the public.

“We would like to know where the incidents reported are happening so that CCTV can be put in place where it is needed to protect the environment. Some other councils use mapping data and software that allows everyone to see where problems are being reports, what actions have been taken, and to be kept informed of progress.”