MEQ- Southgate Allotments Waste Management

Response details:

Dear Cllr Stephanos Ioannou,

Thank you for passing on the concerns raised by the resident regarding the path through Southgate Allotments

None of this footpath is actually public highway, so while Street Cleansing have sometimes litterpicked the path, emptied the bin and cleared flytipping, it is not their responsibility to actually maintain this land.
The responsibility lays with the Leisure Department, which is where both Parks and Allotment team sit
I have arranged for the bin to be emptied and all waste on the floor cleared, I have also arranged for the dog bin to be removed

The reason for this is that no one will take responsibility for emptying it, or maintaining it
Most local authorities have reverted to allowing dog waste to be put into general purpose litter bins as dog waste is no longer classified as hazardous, this will reduce local authority collection and disposal costs.

This is not just a local decision at LB Enfield but is nationwide, as the legislation regarding the disposal of dog waste was changed by the Government in 2008
This change was championed and supported by groups such as Keep Britain Tidy and WRAP, sections from their websites are shown below

If Parks, or Allotments wish to replace this dog bin with a litter bin they can do so, but that would have to be at their cost The Parks team have stated that the relevant manager is arranging for the grass in Southgate Allotments to be cut Although I do not have a specific timeline for this
Yours sincerely Operational Delivery Manager Street Cleansing

Original enquiry description:

Sorry to send you such delightful photographs!

It is now August. The dog waste bin on the public right of way which runs through the allotment site has only been emptied twice this year – each time after continual complaints from me and another plot holder. This is the Southgate allotment pathway.

I have reported this full bin 3 times in the last weeks. All we ask is that the bin is emptied weekly. On one occasion when they did eventually come and empty the bin they did not bother to pick up the bags on the ground!

There are other issues The lack of grass cutting on the verges. No one to visit the site to pick up litter and fly tipping which then strays onto allotment plots. I hope you can help and thanks in advance.