Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Tackling Fly-Tipping, Waste Crime and Litter in Oldham

To be Moved by Councillor Taylor

To be Seconded by Councillor Nazrul Islam

 

This Council notes:

·       That fly-tipping is more than an environmental inconvenience. It is a form of organised crime that blights communities, overwhelms overstretched local authorities, and allows unscrupulous operators to profit at the expense of the public. Across England, 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents were recorded in 2023 to 2024, and the total cost of waste crime to the UK economy is estimated at around £1 billion per year.

·       That tackling environmental crime is an Oldham-wide priority, embedded in the borough's Corporate Plan 2024 to 2027. That plan sets out an explicit ambition for neighbourhoods where people are proud to live and commits this Council to working with residents to keep our streets clean and green.

·       That the problem is not evenly distributed. Fly-tipping and persistent littering disproportionately affect the most deprived neighbourhoods in our borough, where residents live alongside illegal dumping, often on their own doorsteps, while rural areas experience repeat offending in fly-tipping hotspots Environmental crime is not a trivial matter: it is an injustice forced upon communities that can least afford it.

·       This administration continues to place a high priority on maintaining clean neighbourhoods and tackling fly?tipping across the borough. We are taking firm enforcement action against those responsible whenever sufficient evidence is available. Central to this effort is the newly established Rapid Action Team, which provides a dedicated, fast?response capability to identify and remove fly?tipping before it blights our communities. This work is in addition to Labour’s ongoing Don’t Trash Oldham campaign which enables the Council to target areas requiring focused intervention, while working closely with residents and voluntary community groups to deliver a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment for the long term.

 

This Council further notes:

·       That where evidence is found, first-time offenders are currently given the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty notice, with the maximum fine for fly-tipping currently set at £1,000.

·       That evidence collated by the Local Government Association shows that when cases do reach court, the fines issued are frequently lower than the fixed penalty powers councils already hold. The current enforcement framework does not provide a sufficient deterrent, and that the financial penalties available do not cover the true cost of clean-up.

·       That steps have been taken nationally to strengthen enforcement. New government guidance now enables councils to search, seize and destroy vehicles used in fly-tipping, and updated statutory litter guidance published in March 2026 introduces fixed penalty notices of up to £500 for littering, with unpaid fines doubling after 28 days and vehicle owners liable where litter is thrown from a vehicle and the culprit cannot be identified. Waste carriers, brokers and dealers are now subject to full environmental permitting regime,  welcome progress in tackling the rogue operators who profit most from this trade.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.    Lobby the Labour Government to strengthen national enforcement powers. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for: an increase in the maximum fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping and littering to reflect the true cost of clean-up operations; the introduction of a national licensing scheme for all waste carriers, with mandatory identification and real-time verification available to residents; the power for councils to issue civil penalties to commercial fly-tippers; the right for councils to recover the full cost of clearing fly-tipped waste from those responsible; the establishment of a national fly-tipping enforcement fund to support councils with high levels of environmental crime; the introduction of driving licence penalty points for fly-tipping offences; and strengthened oversight of private enforcement companies.

2.    Continue and strengthen local enforcement in Oldham. By continuing to prioritise cleansing services and fly-tip removal across the borough; expanding high-visibility enforcement patrols in known fly-tipping and littering hotspots; increasing intelligence-led joint operations with Greater Manchester Police, the Environment Agency, and neighbouring Greater Manchester authorities; reviewing Oldham's fixed penalty policy to ensure full alignment with new national statutory standards; and continuing to invest in the Don't Trash Oldham campaign, community environmental education, and support for volunteer litter-picking groups, including reviewing locations of on street litter bins.

3.    Support the Local Government Associations’ call for a review of sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping and environmental crime, to ensure that the courts are equipped to issue fines and sanctions that genuinely deter offenders and reflect the harm caused to communities.

4.    Work across Greater Manchester and with Oldham's MPs. To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to ensure that new powers such as vehicle seizure are coordinated across Greater Manchester and to Oldham's Members of Parliament, calling on them to support these legislative reforms in Parliament.

 

Motion 2: Tackling the anti-social use of Fireworks

To be Moved by Councillor Goodwin

To be Seconded by Councillor Davis

 

It has now been three years since this Council passed a motion calling for stronger action on the misuse of fireworks. Sadly, nothing has changed. The previous Government failed to act, and our communities continue to suffer from the same problems we highlighted back then.

 

Many of us are still receiving complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and in the early hours of the morning. This is not a new issue, but it remains persistent and disruptive, affecting our sleep, triggering anxiety or sensory overload in people who are neurodiverse, upsetting our children and pets, and potentially triggering PTSD in our veterans. 

 

Fireworks are now used throughout the year for all kinds of celebrations. When used safely, sensibly and considerately, they can bring joy and excitement. However, a small minority continue to abuse this goodwill, letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We appeal to all our communities to help raise awareness and prevent this behaviour, and we will continue working with the Police and Fire Service to address these issues.

The law currently sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits times and places they can be used, and restricts purchase dates for private use. Yet these laws are clearly failing. Online sales make fireworks available all year round, often without credible checks on age or intended use. The ongoing complaints from residents prove that the current system is not working.

 

When fireworks are used responsibly and organised properly, they can be enjoyed by all. But we need stronger measures to tackle anti-social use and ensure safety. This motion seeks to renew our call for action and add further steps to protect our communities.

 

Yasmin Qureshi, a Greater Manchester MP, called for more regulation on fireworks in her Ten Minute Rule Motion on Fireworks (Noise Control etc) on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. The bill was sponsored by both Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams, in clear recognition of the issue fireworks cause in this borough. 

 

This Council notes:

• There has been no meaningful progress since our previous motion in 2022 due to the inaction of the previous Government.
• Misuse of fireworks continues, including the use of large launchers and easy online availability, encouraging illegal use during anti-social hours.
• The short-lived nature of firework noise makes enforcement difficult for police and council officers.
• The RSPCA continues to warn that current laws fail to prevent distress, injury or anxiety to people, and harm to animals.
• A review of licensing for public firework displays is needed, ensuring better public notification and consideration of noise impacts.
• Both Debbie Abrahams and Jim McMahon recently sponsored a Ten Minute Rule Bill to both limit the noise levels on commercially available fireworks and provide Local Authorities legal powers to stop anti-social use of fireworks.

This Council resolves to:

1.     Write to the three MPs representing our borough, asking them to continue supporting Yasmin Qureshi MP’s Bill on Fireworks which would introduce a maximum decibel level of 90dB

2. Write to the Chief Executive requesting that they write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging the introduction of legislation giving councils’ powers to regulate and enforce firework usage.
3. Renew our call for Government to introduce legislation to:

a.    Limit the maximum noise level of fireworks sold for private use to 90dB.

b.    Review current laws on sale and use, including requiring purchasers to state when, how and where fireworks will be used.

c.     Strengthen restrictions on how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, including online sales and transaction volumes.

d.    Restrict sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks from temporary ‘pop-up’ sellers.

This Council further resolves to:

4.     Write to all local event venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring registration/licensing for firework use.

5. Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.
6. Require all public firework displays within the borough to be advertised in advance, allowing residents to take precautions for animals and vulnerable people.

Motion 1: Tackling Fly-Tipping, Waste Crime and Litter in Oldham

Councillor Taylor MOVED and Councillor Islam SECONDED the following Motion:

 

This Council notes:

·                that fly-tipping is more than an environmental inconvenience. It is a form of organised crime that blights communities, overwhelms overstretched local authorities, and allows unscrupulous operators to profit at the expense of the public. Across England, 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents were recorded in 2023 to 2024, and the total cost of waste crime to the UK economy is estimated at around £1 billion per year.

·                That tackling environmental crime is an Oldham-wide priority, embedded in the borough's Corporate Plan 2024 to 2027. That plan sets out an explicit ambition for neighbourhoods where people are proud to live and commits this Council to working with residents to keep our streets clean and green.

·                That the problem is not evenly distributed. Fly-tipping and persistent littering disproportionately affect the most deprived neighbourhoods in our borough, where residents live alongside illegal dumping, often on their own doorsteps, while rural areas experience repeat offending in fly-tipping hotspots Environmental crime is not a trivial matter: it is an injustice forced upon communities that can least afford it.

·                This administration continues to place a high priority on maintaining clean neighbourhoods and tackling fly?tipping across the borough. We are taking firm enforcement action against those responsible whenever sufficient evidence is available. Central to this effort is the newly established Rapid Action Team, which provides a dedicated, fast?response capability to identify and remove fly?tipping before it blights our communities. This work is in addition to Labour’s ongoing Don’t Trash Oldham campaign which enables the Council to target areas requiring focused intervention, while working closely with residents and voluntary community groups to deliver a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment for the long term.

 

This Council further notes:

·                that where evidence is found, first-time offenders are currently given the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty notice, with the maximum fine for fly-tipping currently set at £1,000.

·                That evidence collated by the Local Government Association shows that when cases do reach court, the fines issued are frequently lower than the fixed penalty powers councils already hold. The current enforcement framework does not provide a sufficient deterrent, and that the financial penalties available do not cover the true cost of clean-up.

·                That steps have been taken nationally to strengthen enforcement. New government guidance now enables councils to search, seize and destroy vehicles used in fly-tipping, and updated statutory litter guidance published in March 2026 introduces fixed penalty notices of up to £500 for littering, with unpaid fines doubling after 28 days and vehicle owners liable where litter is thrown from a vehicle and the culprit cannot be identified. Waste carriers, brokers and dealers are now subject to full environmental permitting regime, welcome progress in tackling the rogue operators who profit most from this trade.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.             Lobby the Labour Government to strengthen national enforcement powers. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for: an increase in the maximum fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping and littering to reflect the true cost of clean-up operations; the introduction of a national licensing scheme for all waste carriers, with mandatory identification and real-time verification available to residents; the power for councils to issue civil penalties to commercial fly-tippers; the right for councils to recover the full cost of clearing fly-tipped waste from those responsible; the establishment of a national fly-tipping enforcement fund to support councils with high levels of environmental crime; the introduction of driving licence penalty points for fly-tipping offences; and strengthened oversight of private enforcement companies.

2.             Continue and strengthen local enforcement in Oldham. By continuing to prioritise cleansing services and fly-tip removal across the borough; expanding high-visibility enforcement patrols in known fly-tipping and littering hotspots; increasing intelligence-led joint operations with Greater Manchester Police, the Environment Agency, and neighbouring Greater Manchester authorities; reviewing Oldham's fixed penalty policy to ensure full alignment with new national statutory standards; and continuing to invest in the Don't Trash Oldham campaign, community environmental education, and support for volunteer litter-picking groups, including reviewing locations of on street litter bins.

3.             Support the Local Government Associations’ call for a review of sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping and environmental crime, to ensure that the courts are equipped to issue fines and sanctions that genuinely deter offenders and reflect the harm caused to communities.

4.             Work across Greater Manchester and with Oldham's MPs. To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to ensure that new powers such as vehicle seizure are coordinated across Greater Manchester and to Oldham's Members of Parliament, calling on them to support these legislative reforms in Parliament.

 

AMENDMENT 1

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Kenyon SECONDED AMENDMENT 1, as follows:

 

 In "This Council notes," bullet point four, 

 

Delete "Labour" and insert "Oldham Council's".

 

To read: "This work is in addition to Oldham Council's ongoing Don’t Trash Oldham campaign which enables the Council to target areas requiring focused intervention, while working closely with residents and voluntary community groups to deliver a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment for the long term."

On being put to the vote, AMENDMENT 1 was LOST.

 

AMENDMENT 2

Councillor Wahid MOVED and Councillor Kouser SECONDED AMENDMENT 2, as follows:

After resolution 4, add the following new resolutions 5 to 8:

 

5.    “To publish quarterly ward-by-ward performance data on fly-tipping and litter enforcement, including reported incidents, average clearance times, fixed penalty notices issued, fixed penalty notices paid, prosecutions commenced, prosecutions concluded, and identified repeat hotspot locations.

6.    To introduce and publish a service standard for the removal of dangerous, obstructive or hazardous fly-tipped waste within 24 hours of report wherever reasonably practicable.

7.    To report annually to Full Council on the total cost of fly-tipping and litter-related clean-up operations and the amount recovered from offenders through fixed penalty notices, court orders or other enforcement action.

8.    To prepare targeted hotspot action plans for repeat fly-tipping locations, including enforcement, CCTV review where appropriate, joint working with landowners and partners, and engagement with ward members and local residents.”

 

On being put to the vote AMENDMENT 2 was LOST.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION was CARRIED. 

 

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council lobby the Labour Government to strengthen national enforcement powers. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for: an increase in the maximum fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping and littering to reflect the true cost of clean-up operations; the introduction of a national licensing scheme for all waste carriers, with mandatory identification and real-time verification available to residents; the power for councils to issue civil penalties to commercial fly-tippers; the right for councils to recover the full cost of clearing fly-tipped waste from those responsible; the establishment of a national fly-tipping enforcement fund to support councils with high levels of environmental crime; the introduction of driving licence penalty points for fly-tipping offences; and strengthened oversight of private enforcement companies.

2.    That the Council continue and strengthen local enforcement in Oldham. By continuing to prioritise cleansing services and fly-tip removal across the borough; expanding high-visibility enforcement patrols in known fly-tipping and littering hotspots; increasing intelligence-led joint operations with Greater Manchester Police, the Environment Agency, and neighbouring Greater Manchester authorities; reviewing Oldham's fixed penalty policy to ensure full alignment with new national statutory standards; and continuing to invest in the Don't Trash Oldham campaign, community environmental education, and support for volunteer litter-picking groups, including reviewing locations of on street litter bins.

3.    That the Council support the Local Government Associations’ call for a review of sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping and environmental crime, to ensure that the courts are equipped to issue fines and sanctions that genuinely deter offenders and reflect the harm caused to communities.

4.    That the Council work across Greater Manchester and with Oldham's MPs. To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to ensure that new powers such as vehicle seizure are coordinated across Greater Manchester and to Oldham's Members of Parliament, calling on them to support these legislative reforms in Parliament.

 

Motion 2: Tackling the Anti?Social Use of Fireworks

Councillor Goodwin MOVED and Councillor Davis SECONDED the following Motion:

 

It has now been three years since this Council passed a motion calling for stronger action on the misuse of fireworks. Sadly, nothing has changed. The previous Government failed to act, and our communities continue to suffer from the same problems we highlighted back then.

 

Many of us are still receiving complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and in the early hours of the morning. This is not a new issue, but it remains persistent and disruptive, affecting our sleep, triggering anxiety or sensory overload in people who are neurodiverse, upsetting our children and pets, and potentially triggering PTSD in our veterans. 

 

Fireworks are now used throughout the year for all kinds of celebrations. When used safely, sensibly and considerately, they can bring joy and excitement. However, a small minority continue to abuse this goodwill, letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We appeal to all our communities to help raise awareness and prevent this behaviour, and we will continue working with the Police and Fire Service to address these issues.

The law currently sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits times and places they can be used, and restricts purchase dates for private use. Yet these laws are clearly failing. Online sales make fireworks available all year round, often without credible checks on age or intended use. The ongoing complaints from residents prove that the current system is not working.

 

When fireworks are used responsibly and organised properly, they can be enjoyed by all. But we need stronger measures to tackle anti-social use and ensure safety. This motion seeks to renew our call for action and add further steps to protect our communities.

 

Yasmin Qureshi, a Greater Manchester MP, called for more regulation on fireworks in her Ten-Minute Rule Motion on Fireworks (Noise Control etc) on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. The bill was sponsored by both Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams, in clear recognition of the issue fireworks cause in this borough. 

 

This Council notes:

·                There has been no meaningful progress since our previous motion in 2022 due to the inaction of the previous Government.

·                Misuse of fireworks continues, including the use of large launchers and easy online availability, encouraging illegal use during anti-social hours.

·                The short-lived nature of firework noise makes enforcement difficult for police and council officers.

·                The RSPCA continues to warn that current laws fail to prevent distress, injury or anxiety to people, and harm to animals.

·                A review of licensing for public firework displays is needed, ensuring better public notification and consideration of noise impacts.

·                Both Debbie Abrahams and Jim McMahon recently sponsored a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to both limit the noise levels on commercially available fireworks and provide Local Authorities legal powers to stop anti-social use of fireworks.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.              Write to the three MPs representing our borough, asking them to continue supporting Yasmin Qureshi MP’s Bill on Fireworks which would introduce a maximum decibel level of 90dB.

2.              Write to the Chief Executive requesting that they write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging the introduction of legislation giving councils’ powers to regulate and enforce firework usage.

3.              Renew our call for Government to introduce legislation to:

a.     Limit the maximum noise level of fireworks sold for private use to 90dB.

b.     Review current laws on sale and use, including requiring purchasers to state when, how and where fireworks will be used.

c.     Strengthen restrictions on how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, including online sales and transaction volumes.

d.     Restrict sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks from temporary ‘pop-up’ sellers.

This Council further resolves to:

4.     Write to all local event venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring registration/licensing for firework use.

5.     Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.

6.     Require all public firework displays within the borough to be advertised in advance, allowing residents to take precautions for animals and vulnerable people.

 

AMENDMENT

Councillor Wahid MOVED and Councillor Zaheer Ali SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

After the existing final resolution (6), add the following new resolutions 7 - 10:

 

7.     “To develop and publish, ahead of key fireworks periods each year, a multi-agency local action plan with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, community safety teams and relevant council services, covering enforcement, communications, hotspot monitoring and public reporting routes.

8.     to support a concerted year-round programme of public education, community engagement and targeted communications making clear that the anti-social use of fireworks is not acceptable at any time of year, including in connection with weddings, parties and private celebrations, and to work with partners and community leaders to promote lawful, considerate and responsible behaviour.

9.     To report annually to members on complaints relating to anti-social fireworks use across the full calendar year, including trends outside traditional fireworks periods, hotspot areas identified, and enforcement action taken, so that local education and enforcement can be better targeted.

10.  To work proactively with local retailers, venue operators and relevant partners to promote responsible sales, compliance with age restrictions, lawful use periods, and advance awareness of the impact that anti-social fireworks use can have on children, neurodiverse residents, older people, pets and veterans.”

 

On being put to the vote the AMENDMENT was LOST.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION was CARRIED. 

 

RESOLVED

1.    To request that the Chief Executive write to the three MPs representing the Borough of Oldham, asking them to continue supporting Yasmin Qureshi MP’s Bill on Fireworks which would introduce a maximum decibel level of 90dB.

2.             To request that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging the introduction of legislation giving councils’ powers to regulate and enforce firework usage.

3.             Renew our call for Government to introduce legislation to:

a.    Limit the maximum noise level of fireworks sold for private use to 90dB.

b.    Review current laws on sale and use, including requiring purchasers to state when, how and where fireworks will be used.

c.     Strengthen restrictions on how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, including online sales and transaction volumes.

d.    Restrict sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks from temporary ‘pop-up’ sellers.

4.    Write to all local event venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring registration/licensing for firework use.

5.    Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.

6.    Require all public firework displays within the borough to be advertised in advance, allowing residents to take precautions for animals and vulnerable people.