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RESOLVED: Cabinet:
a)   
Approved the new Policy for adoption by West
Northamptonshire Council
b)   
Endorsed the proposed communications campaign to
promote the introduction of the policy
c)   
Agreed delegated authority to Executive Director of
Place, Economy, and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio
Holder for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services
to:

     
i.       
make amendments to the policy as required,
and

   
ii.       
extend the area(s) covered by the policy where this
would be beneficial.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
1.   
The policy will allow the Council to exercise
appropriate control over the presentation of waste in the centre of
Northampton. This aligns clearly with the Live Your Best Life
Ambition of a cleaner and greener environment.
2.   
The proposed policy will increase the positive
impact of the investment and regeneration works in the work centre,
improving the town centre environment for the benefit of residents,
visitors, and businesses.
3.   
The proposed policy will require enforcement for it
to be effective. Therefore, funding is required to enable
additional warden resources for an initial 12-month period, prior
to enforcement either becoming part of business as usual, or being
incorporated in the new Environment Enforcement
contract.
4.   
The policy is in line with the Council’s
Enforcement Policy and the Council’s Littering and Fly
tipping Charters.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
1.   
To do nothing and let the current situation
continue, which is likely to detract from the investment in the
town centre and continue to cause a nuisance in terms of visual
amenity, attract additional litter and fly tipping and obstructions
on the highway.
2.   
For the Council to provide waste collection services
for all business and household properties in the Town Centre.
Commercial organisations can select their preferred waste
collection service provider, and they may do this based on several
factors, including price, convenience and whether their waste
contract is through their head office. Therefore, this was not
considered to be a viable solution, because it was unlikely to
result in all businesses using the Council’s
services.
3.   
To provide designated storage areas for waste within
the town centre. If implemented, there is a risk that this option
may exacerbate the waste issues, because the designated areas will
in effect become ‘dumping zones’ and may attract
additional waste. Advice from other authorities who have introduced
policies was that this would not be a recommended
solution.
4.   
To implement the policy as proposed. Note that in
developing and consulting on the policy a few options were
proposed, including the acceptable times to set out waste, the
location(s) the policy should be focused on, and other control
measures related to the containers used for waste.