Regrettably it appears to me that small scale fly tipping and litter are both on the increase in the Borough of Weymouth and Portland.

By small scale fly tipping I mean waste that ought to be in household waste or recycling bins,but which is left in carrier bags next to litter bins.

This could be due to teething problems with the new collection arrangements, or it could be that some residents are reluctant to submit themselves to the discipline of separating the waste into appropriate categories.

One instance that has been reported in the Echo is on the Rodwell Trail; another is a litter bin very close to where I live. This is in fact in Icen Lane though described by Cllr Brookes as being in Victoria Road.

Cllr Brookes got this bin emptied once recently, and associated bags removed, but the same problem has quickly recurred. Landfill must be reduced and so it is important that somehow residents be persuaded to co-operate, but in the meantime better collection arrangements are needed.

I have suggested to Dorset Waste Partnership that this bin is emptied once a fortnight along with the grey bin collection. This idea seemed to be favourably received, and may be applicable elsewhere in the Borough.

I had previously also pointed out that we had received complaints from elsewhere in the Borough about litter such as fast food wrapping/packaging, drink cans etc. and lack of litter bins. The response was that the council lacks the money to buy more bins and pay for the extra collection involved.

I have now suggested that residents may be prepared to pick up some of this litter if they had a bit more encouragement, such as advice and the provision of extra grey bins. This suggestion was also favourably received and I look forward to seeing some action.

David Smith, West and South Dorset Green Party.

Upwey Weymouth