We know that fly-tipping is a big concern for Hampshire residents and appreciate that it is
an issue that is being linked to the County Council’s current Future Services Consultation.

The consultation sets out 13 cost reduction proposals which could help towards closing a
£132m budget shortfall we expect by April 2025.

Like many councils nationally, Hampshire County Council is also facing huge budget pressures in future as costs go up and more people need local services - particularly social care to protect children at risk of harm or abuse, supporting more older people and children and adults with disabilities and additional needs.

Our consultation sets out a range of savings options from the Household Waste Recycling
Centre (HWRC) budget.

No final decisions have been made, and it’s important that we now hear as many views as possible on these options, which could include the closure of the smallest, most expensive-to-run HWRCs. We’ve considered evidence on fly-tipping when developing these proposals and it’s the case that most of this illegally discarded waste is left by unscrupulous traders undertaking unlicensed house clearances.

Whilst the total number of reported incidents of fly-tipping – a criminal act - on public land
across Hampshire has disappointingly risen, this has been by less than 1%; and it’s important to note that the amount of fly-tipped material has reduced by almost 400 tonnes – which is a drop of around 12.5%.

Plus, the data shows that some of these fly-tips will also have been reported multiple times – counting towards the total incident figures.

There has been no evidence of increased fly-tipping in other parts of the country that have
closed household waste disposal sites and made other service changes, suggesting that
the law-abiding majority of residents is continuing to do the right thing for the environment,
even if this means making some adjustments.

We must make some tough decisions on what we can continue to deliver from April 2025.
To ensure we can provide HWRCs that continue to meet people’s needs and make the
most of public money, please have your say and take part in the public consultation which
is open until March 31, 2024. Visit www.hants.gov.uk/future-services-consultation.

Cllr Rob Humby

Leader of Hampshire County Council

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