This is in response to:
https://media.reading.gov.uk/news/further-crack-down-sees-fines-for-fly-tippers-up-more-than-tenfold
I think it is rather hypocritical and I am actively against any further spending into third party enforcement officers. As per the article, "Council[s] commitment to keep Reading tidy", I will explain out how ineffective they are.
- These contractors only operate on Broad Street & Oxford Road, whereas most of the litter and fly-tipping is actually on residential streets like Great Knollys and Russell Street. When did you last fine kids littering outside the Academy?
- Fining elderly, disabled, or blind people for accidental littering is unethical
- My bins haven't been collected at least twice every year, regardless of location, having lived here 18 consecutive years. Should I be asking for a refund for my council tax for those months?
- Some residents in the town centre like when I lived on Kings Road have zero recycling collection, it's all just general waste, with no limit on black bags.
- The plastic red/grey bins that aren't big enough even for recycling, I often have to stockpile recycling until there is enough space again. I think recycling collection should be every week.
- Uncollected street bins like on Russell Street and Baker Street. Bins are typically overflowing after 3 days since they've been emptied.
- I would rather you make it easier to volunteer e.g. Victoria Park local group's efforts in street cleaning, or incentives like paying volunteers to collect plastic bottles - this is already popular at other festivals like Latitude and in European countries like Malta.
- Multiple drains blocked on Broad Street that still remain unfixed including up to St Mary's Butts roundabout, and multiple wonky tiles on Broad Street that cause tripping - which could lead to accidental littering
- If people just pick up their litter and either take it away with them or bin it, then there is no crime.
It is a waste of resources putting more money into enforcement officers and I will not stand for my council tax being spent on this when it is clear that litter collection is not being done, incorrectly, and not where it is needed the most.
