A bitter political row has erupted over fly-tipping after a Labour MP accused a Conservative-run council of taking a “not me, guv” approach to catching offenders.
Ben Goldsborough claims South Norfolk Council is “washing its hands” of the problem by refusing to install temporary CCTV at known dumping hotspots.
In a Facebook post, Mr Goldsborough urged the council to work with landowners to catch offenders in the act.
It read: "Instead, the Conservative-run council has decided it won’t even approach local landowners to explore what might be possible. That is simply not good enough."
Mr Goldsborough says that rather than acting on the issue, the authority told him it would provide guidance to landowners on clearing waste and gathering evidence.
He added: "There's a really simple solution: the council should do what they are already telling residents they are doing and work with landowners to deliver CCTV prevention measures.
"Instead, at the first sign of scrutiny, Conservative-run South Norfolk Council wriggle, squirm and point fingers.
"This 'not me guv' attitude won't wash, residents see through the council's nonsense, and I will continue giving voice to residents' frustrations no matter how hard the Conservative council try to save their own skin."
The Labour MP said the issue is especially problematic around Little Melton, near Hethersett, and believes people living in the village "deserved better" and the council "should be doing everything possible to catch fly-tippers".
But the comments by the Labour MP have sparked a furious backlash from Daniel Elmer, Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council.
He pointed to the council’s low fly-tipping rate of 3.8 incidents per 1,000 people, compared with a national average of 21.5.
Mr Elmer, who has been leader since 2024, says the council already carries out covert surveillance on private land, which requires special approval from the courts.
"He [Ben Goldsborough] has been invited to come and discuss enforcement issues with us on more than one occasion, but I understand has not yet found the time in his schedule," Mr Elmer continued.
"I would suggest if our MP wants to help protect our local environment he should go to Westminster, and see how surveillance permissions can be expedited.
"Whilst there he may also consider opposing the East Pye Solar Scheme, and asking the government to reverse the housing targets that will see ever more green land in South Norfolk taken over."
DEFRA figures show the council recorded 567 fly-tipping cases in 2024/25, the latest available data.
Most of the incidents - 384 in total - were recorded on highway land. A further 56 incidents were recorded on council land and 49 on bridleways and footpaths.
Most items collected by officers were classed as household or commercial waste. White goods, including fridges and washing machines, were dumped in 29 incidents. The data records 58 incidents involving dumped tyres across the district.
South Norfolk has the second lowest fly-tipping rates per 1,000 people in Norfolk.
North Norfolk had the lowest rate, at 3.7 incidents per 1,000 people, while Great Yarmouth had the highest rate at 76.8 incidents per 1,000 people.
Mr Goldsborough accused the council of complacency and boasting about its low fly-tipping figures, while Mr Elmer added: “It is regrettable that issues on which we should be working together become unnecessarily politicised. Our MP should be working with us, not against us.”
Share