Recently, something has changed in Rye. A new group of visitors has arrived but local shops and businesses are so far very unimpressed with this new presence in town. Who are they? They are litter wardens introduced by Rother District Council whose role is to police the streets of Rye looking for fly tippers and for businesses dumping or disposing of waste and rubbish illegally.
The Head of Environmental Health for RDC says: "NES Ltd have a one year concessionary agreement with the Council to enforce all environmental offences, including dog fouling, littering and unauthorised disposal of waste. This is on the basis that there is no cost to the Council. NES Ltd are solely responsible for their operations and deal with all appeals against fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued. If a FPN is paid then a prosecution is prohibited. If the FPN is not paid then the alleged offence is referred to the Council for a decision whether to prosecute."
Several incidents have come to light and where local businesses have turned to the Rye Chamber of Commerce for advice and assistance - this is a typical example:
“I’ve just been given a £400 fine for having fly tipped cardboard outside of my shop, Simply Rye in Market Road… the individual who issued the fine works as an environmental officer for Rother. I am absolutely shocked and appalled at what has happened today. What is happening to our town that now has litter wardens and parking enforcement officers out in force on a miserable, wet Thursday in January?. These people swarming our streets giving out fines to local businesses and visitors can only result in the demise of the town. We pay our landlord to rent a shop with outside private space. When we get a delivery of stock we should be fully entitled to empty the boxes on the private land and leave it there for an hour without being confronted by a rude, arrogant litter warden who was not even interested in Ian showing him the evidential paperwork showing how we dispose of our cardboard. At a quiet time of year when profits will be minimal but we continue to trade 6 days a week to help keep the town open and alive, this is a very bitter pill to swallow. To be classed as offenders of 'fly tipping' on private land outside our trading address during trading hours is just taking it all a step too far. I for one am absolutely furious. Fran”
As a business, Simply Rye, along with all Chamber members, benefit from a professional cardboard recycling scheme as a free perk of membership for which the regulatory paperwork is provided. Cardboard is collected on a regular basis which is then recycled and made into ‘new’ cardboard for boxes and packaging. Using the example above this clearly doesn’t stop the wardens issuing fines, and their seemingly 'gung-ho' approach and rudeness exacerbates the situation.
Having seen this comment by Fran and Ian Huxley, the owners of Simply Rye, I interviewed them on Tuesday when they described the day they were labelled and fined as fly tippers. The photograph below shows what is typically outside their shop. The cardboard was there whilst the delivery was put away and shop customers dealt with. The cardboard is then stored in the storage area in the shop until it is later collected and transported under licence to the Chamber Cardboard container. Any cardboard or waste is never left outside for long as its visual impact is not good for business. The warden who gave them the fine was told that the area outside the shop forms part of the land rented within the lease, it is not on public land. The shop owners feel this fine is not only unjustified but had the warden discussed the situation with Fran and Ian any unpleasantness could have been avoided. They intend to appeal the fine.
Rye Chamber of Commerce has written to the CEO of RDC voicing their concerns and have also met with RDC representatives and as a result they have been successful in reversing some of these fines. The Chamber will continue to fight the corner for its members as this "guilty until proven innocent" approach by the NES wardens is not acceptable.
Jane Brook, Chair of Rye Chamber of Commerce who brought this issue to the attention of Rye News says: “We all want a clean town, we just need common sense and guidance to make it work fairly for all.“
On Tuesday's BBC South Today, you may have seen the item on fly tipping. It focused on issues in the Battle area and the problems faced by traders who have also encountered the litter wardens.
It's fully accepted that these wardens have a job to do. Our streets need to be kept clean but the traders in Rye just want a little understanding and better communication. It's hard enough for shops to make a living in this climate without feeling persecuted, so let's hope that once both sides have met and discussed the issue, normal service can be resumed.
If your business has been affected by the litter warden fines you can email info@ryechamber.org and to receive support and up to date information. Why not join the Chamber .
