Sapwell takes action on discarded trolleys
Cllr James Sapwell has successfully lobbied Brentwood Council to engage with local supermarkets to reduce the amount of discarded trolleys in the town centre.
Cllr Sapwell, Brentwood North, said:
"As a town centre councillor, I want my ward to be a pleasant place to live for my residents and this does nothing to enhance the environment. There are so many abandoned around The Vale, Park Road, William Hunter Way and Mayfield Gardens that I have been pushing for the council to see what can be done to stop people taking them from the shopping areas."
"I am pleased that a letter has been sent to Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Iceland today outlining the action that may be taken if this continues to happen."
"Of course, Brentwood North councillors will continue to monitor the situation."
The text of the letter is below.
Dear Manager,
Abandoned Shopping Trolleys
We have recently seen an increase in the amount of abandoned shopping trolleys in
the Town Centre. Elected Members have been reporting these to us and we have
been collecting and bringing them back to our Depot at Warley.
I have been requested to contact all Supermarkets in the Town Centre and ask you
to look into ensuring this does not keep recurring, i.e. getting your staff to check the
areas regularly and bringing any abandoned shopping trolleys back to your store.
The other alternative would be for us to start enforcing the motion that was agreed
at our Environment & Parking Management Panel on 16th June 2009; I have detailed
below the minute that refers for this information:
"Min 59 - ABANDONED SHOPPING AND LUGGAGE TROLLEYS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1990 - SECTION 99, SCHEDULE 4:
At the Environmental Panel of 28.1.2009, Members considered a report
regarding abandoned shopping trolleys in the Town Centre and resolved to
carry out a consultation exercise with a view to adopting powers enabling the
Council to seize trolleys, retain them and either destroy or sell them after a
period of six weeks.
Five residents had responded in support of the proposal. One anonymous
resident raised other related issues but seemed to be in favor. All
supermarkets using trolleys were written to, but no responses were received.
There were no negative responses to the consultation.
Members noted that, if approved, Schedule 4 would apply in the area from a
date being not less than three months from the date of the resolution and that
the Council was required to publish notice of the resolution in at least one
local newspaper, indicating the general effect of the adoption of the Schedule.
The authority was required to deliver seized trolleys to the owner if claimed
within a six week period and was entitled to make reasonable charges for this
service.
If it was necessary to dispose of unclaimed trolleys and the owner of the
trolley was known, then a disposal fee could be charged.
It was suggested that the following charges (inclusive of VAT) should apply: -
Seizure fee (includes cost of written
notification)
£35.00
Storage fee
£5.00 /week or part thereof
Delivery of returned trolley
£25.00
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that
1. Schedule 4 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 would apply to the
area of Brentwood from 17th September 2009.
2. That the following fees would apply to the seizure, storage and
delivery/disposal of trolleys: -
Seizure fee
£35.00
Storage fee
£5.00/week or part thereof
Delivery fee
£25.00
Disposal fee
£10.00
*[DoES-Bennett]*"
I would appreciate your support on this matter, and would like to work with you to
ensure that the Town centre is kept clean and tidy for visitor and local residents. .
Many thanks