Major bin changes in Derby: New clampdown on bins left on Derby streets to start as warning of fines issued

Fines could be issued to Derby households if they keep waste bins on the streets.

Labour-led Derby City Council is set to introduce enforcement measures across the city to tackle “bins on streets” with a phased rollout starting at selected streets next week where the issue is known to be a problem.

Leaving wheelie bins on the pavement after a collection can cause obstruction to pedestrians. This has been a serious issue in the Mackworth ward for some time, according to councillors in the area.

Labour councillor and cabinet member for Streetpride Ndukwe Onuoha  – also a Mackworth and New Zealand councillor – said on his Facebook page that “a phased rollout of Section 46 enforcement will begin across Derby”.

It is reported that under section 46a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 councils may issue fixed penalties when people leave wheelie bins on the pavement.

Fines or a level of enforcement could be issued if the bin causes an obstruction such as forcing people with wheelchairs or pushchairs to go on the road or if left for several days.

Action may also be taken if the bins and/or bin bags left out are likely to attract vermin or if they are overturned or damaged and it looks unsightly.

But councils can’t issue fixed penalties for minor issues such as leaving bins out for a few hours before collection.

Councillor Onuoha, Derby City Council cabinet member for Streetpride, said the enforcement programme will start next week. He said: We’re listening and responding to residents’ concerns about the problems caused by bins left out on pavements.

“These bins cause an obstruction to pedestrians, including people with mobility issues and those with pushchairs. We’ve received many complaints about pavement access being blocked. The bins can also become overturned, which looks unsightly and can attract vermin.

“In response to these issues, we are piloting education and enforcement action on selected streets in the city. In the first instance, we’re aiming to tackle the issue by engaging with residents, to explain why bins should be returned to properties after waste collections.

“This will begin on Monday, March 3, which will coincide with an educational video about waste and recycling. If residents do not comply, we will follow through with enforcement under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to ensure that our streets remain tidy. This involves warning letters, followed by Notices of Intent for Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) if non-compliance persists. Residents will have 28 days to appeal before an FPN is issued.

“We hope this pilot scheme will create safer, cleaner streets by reducing the number of bins left on pavements.”

The enforcement action was welcomed with the issue being the most complained about in the Mackworth and New Zealand areas.

Conservative councillor Gaurav Pandey said: “I welcome this step. I have been calling for enforcement on this issue for some time. Around the Morley and New Zealand ward you often see bins on the streets – it doesn’t look good.

“It’s quite bad and is one of the most complained about things I get when I go to meetings or am knocking on doors. Some block the pavement making life difficult for pedestrians.”

Residents on Facebook also welcomed the change but said the bigger priority for the council was to make sure bin collections was on time.

This comes after recent reports of hundreds of streets in Derby experiencing missed bins collections. In response the council said the missed bins were due to the heavier Christmas rounds and a number of vehicle breakdowns. Staff problems have also been given on previous occasions.

One person commented on Councillor Onuoha’s Facebook page: “With respect, more priority should be made to collecting the bins on time so we know when to put them out and take them in.”

And another said: “If the council empty them when supposed too, (they) wouldn’t be left out.”