Lib Dems Fight To Tackle Flytipping
York’s Lib Dem councillors are calling on the council’s Labour administration to change course and back efforts to tackle flytipping.
As part of their alternative council budget for 2026/27, the Lib Dems proposed a £52,000 investment in community skips in areas most affected by flytipping. The aim would be to make it easier for people to dispose of unwanted household items.
Since taking control of the council, Labour has increased the cost of bulky waste collections, reduced the opening hours of council tips and introduced a charge for garden waste collection. The upshot has been a year-on-year increase in the number of reported flytipping incidents. In the first three quarters of 2025/26 there have been 2,807 reported incidents, almost as many as in the whole of 2024/25 (2,954) with three months of the year remaining.
Speaking at the council budget meeting on 12th February, Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson Cllr Paula Widdowson said “For many residents, particularly those without cars, older residents, or people on low incomes, getting rid of waste has become much more difficult and when legal routes are blocked off, fly-tipping goes up."
“Community skips are a targeted response. Put them in the places that are worst affected, give people a legal, accessible way to dispose of waste, and you reduce fly-tipping, clean up neighbourhoods, and save money in the long run.”
Westfield Ward Councillor Andrew Waller has called on the Labour-run council to think again and back the Lib Dems’ plans to clean up neighbourhoods. He said “Under the previous Lib Dem administration, community ‘tidy-up vans’ were used in Westfield ward to help residents get rid of unwanted items. These initiatives are particularly beneficial for areas with low car ownership. The funding for community skips would have supported the reinstatement of this initiative, so it’s disappointing that Labour voted it down."
“Lib Dem councillors are on the side of residents who want to take a pride in their neighbourhood and we will continue to support their efforts.”
