Call for CCTV cameras at Ballybeg Woods carpark

ILLEGAL dumping and the burning out of vehicles at Ballybeg Woods has led to calls for the installation of CCTV cameras at the adjacent car park.
At a recent meeting of Ennis East Electoral Area Councillors, Councillor Pat Daly requested Clare County Council to install the cameras in a bid to stamp out the anti-social behaviour.
Robert Burns, executive engineer for the environment section of Clare County Council informed the meeting that the area had been subject to a “significant level of illegal waste activity” in the first half of 2009.
However, the waste enforcement section, in conjunction with the Ennis Area office, implemented a number of measures at that time to counteract this illegal waste activity, including: removal of waste illegally dumped in the area; erection of ‘No Dumping’ and CCTV warning signs; use of CCTV surveillance over a three to four-week period and increased frequency of environmental patrols by the warden covering the area.
From reviewing the council’s own complaints system and the experience of the community warden covering the area, the instances of illegal waste activity at the Ballybeg Woods area (including the car park) in recent times have been “sporadic in nature” with only four complaints received in 2010 and three complaints received to date in 2011. Waste cited in the complaints was removed by Clare County Council staff.
Mr Burns added that the waste enforcement section will increase frequency of environmental patrols at this location over the coming weeks and months and check the condition of warning signage in place. 
He explained the cost of CCTV surveillance is “significant”, typically €550 plus VAT a week.
“There is a possibility of recovering the costs where an individual is fined or prosecuted for breaches of waste or litter legislation. However, given the infrequent and sporadic nature of the illegal waste activity at the Ballybeg Woods car park, it may be difficult to detect offenders without installing CCTV surveillance over an extended period of time, at a substantial cost.  Clare County Council will continue to monitor the level of illegal waste activity at this location and will consider installing CCTV surveillance if there is a significant increase in such activity,” he stated.
He added that Clare County Council has a dedicated waste enforcement team that responds and takes appropriate enforcement action in relation to waste and litter complaints. 
The council actively encourages members of the community to report illegal waste and litter activity, which can be done via a wide range of advertised media including: by telephone on the anti-litter hotline on 1800 606 706 or 065 6846331; by email to info@clarecoco.ie with the details of the complaint; by letter to the Environment section, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis or in person at an area office or at environment section or through contact with environmental patrol warden or community warden, while carrying out their patrols.
Where evidence of acts of littering or illegal waste is found then action is taken under relevant litter pollution and waste management legislation, with a particular focus on those carrying out the illegal waste or litter activity.
In 2010, a total of 58 litter fines were issued and 23 prosecutions were taken under either the Litter Pollution Acts, or the Waste Management Acts.  All complaints regarding illegal waste or litter activity, including illegal dumping, fly-tipping and littering are fully investigated by Clare County Council. The environmental patrol warden and community wardens carry out routine, daily patrols across the county.