Dundee Residents Told To Get The Bins In

Dundee City Council could be given new powers - to fine residents who refuse to take their bins in. The measure will be discussed by councillors next week and is in bid to keep streets clear following safety concerns. The council has been working with other agencies, including the fire service to try and highlight the risks that can be caused when bins are left on the pavement. The environment committee will hear on Monday that there has been an update to the Environmental protection Act 1990, which only gave householders the responsibility to put their bins out for collection. Now the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 means that powers are extended to councils to also include the requirement that the bins are brought back in. The committee will hear that when this happens, the council will issue householders with an advisory/warning letter. If this advice is not followed, a formal enforcement notice will be issued. Failure to comply with this could result in a report being issued to the Procurator Fiscal. Committee convener Councillor Craig Melville said: "If people can put their wheelie bins out, then they should be able to take them back in.

"As well as looking unsightly, they present real dangers to people if left out for too long.

We know that if any of the bins catch fire, it can have a devastating impact.

"I know that the vast majority of people across the city put their bins in and out on time and I would like to thank them for this.

“I would like to warn those who don't bother that we will be ready to take more action soon.”