Hertsmere Labour Party Hertsmere Constituency Labour Party & Hertsmere Borough Council Labour & Co-operative Group

Hertsmere Borough Council has unanimously backed an innovative Community Skips Initiative to tackle the persistent problem of fly-tipping across the borough. The motion, proposed by Labour’s Cllr Linda Smith (Borehamwood, Cowley Hill) and seconded by Liberal Democrat Cllr Marc Amron (Bushey Park) reflects the leadership of the administration in addressing local environmental challenges. Cross-party support, including from the opposition Conservative councillors, underscored the shared commitment to cleaner streets and stronger neighbourhoods.
The initiative aims to explore the feasibility of deploying community skips in strategic locations as part of a trial. This would provide residents with a convenient, legal option for disposing of bulky waste, reducing the incentive for illegal dumping.
Progress Made, but Challenges Persist
In proposing the motion, Cllr Linda Smith highlighted the administration’s recent successes in tackling fly-tipping, including the introduction of a Community Enforcement team, increased use of cameras, and successful court actions. “Since May 2023, we’ve issued 39 fixed penalty notices and collected nearly £6,000 in fines,” she said. “But fly-tipping remains a blight on our neighbourhoods. This initiative is about thinking creatively and working with residents to address the issue.”
Cllr Smith emphasised the accessibility barriers some residents face in using recycling centres or arranging bulky waste collections. “Community skips could make waste disposal simpler and more accessible while fostering a sense of community pride,” she added.
Learning from Success Elsewhere
Seconding the motion, Cllr Marc Amron drew on insights from councils such as Barnet, Watford, and Brent, where similar schemes have proven effective. “This type of initiative has worked well, especially in urban areas and those with higher numbers of HMO properties,” he said. “In Brent, it’s been so successful that they’ve expanded the scheme to include recycling and reuse programmes.”
Cllr Amron also highlighted the benefits of engaging directly with residents during skip events. “This is an opportunity to educate people about other disposal options, such as Hertsmere’s Large Household Item Collection Service or donating to local charities that collect furniture for free,” he explained.
Next Steps
The council’s decision instructs officers to investigate the costs and logistics of a trial, identify suitable locations, and assess the initiative’s financial viability and effectiveness. The findings from the trial will inform any future rollout of the scheme.
The unanimous support for the motion reflects a united commitment to tackling fly-tipping and improving quality of life for Hertsmere residents. As Cllr Smith concluded, “This is a practical step forward in creating a greener, more connected Hertsmere.”
For more information on the council’s efforts to combat fly-tipping or to report an incident, visit the Hertsmere Borough Council website.