5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on progress in relation to the Welsh Government's strategy against fly-tipping? OAQ52672

The Welsh Government is committed to delivering 'A Fly-tipping Free Wales—Our strategy for tackling fly-tipping'. We continue to fund Fly-tipping Action Wales, an initiative co-ordinated by Natural Resources Wales, while working with partners to secure the long-term reduction of fly-tipping in Wales.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Sadly, there are parts of my constituency that continue to suffer from extensive problems of fly-tipping. It's quite difficult to understand the mindset of people who will drive a truck up a hill and dump rubbish, causing visual blights on areas of natural beauty like the Gelligaer common. I believe that many of these issues do come from unlicensed operators who've been paid in good faith to dispose of household and building rubbish. If the outcome that we all wish for is less fly-tipping, can you advise me whether the Welsh Government or anyone else has researched the balance between the carrots and sticks in these situations that could encourage a more responsible attitude, and whether, for example, you've considered the cost-effectiveness of lifting charges at disposal sites versus the cost to local authorities of clearing up fly-tipping?

The Member raises a very important point. I know fly-tipping affects many Members' constituencies. I think you're absolutely right. It seems to me to take a lot of effort to just go and dump something when you can actually just take it to the correct site. I think part of the issue of tackling it is to make it socially unacceptable as well, so there is work going on within Welsh Government on a scheme to look actually at how in terms of we're looking at behavioural change in people with recycling, but also behavioural change in terms of how we make it socially unacceptable to fly-tip. In talking about disposal sites for waste, anyone taking their waste directly to a landfill have to pay a fee based on the weight of the material. You make really good points in terms of the carrot-and-stick approach, so it's actually the enforcement and actually making sure we catch the culprits and tackle that and make it socially unacceptable. But, actually, how can we support, perhaps, the local authorities to be in a better position to tackle this? And there are ways and means. Your local authority could apply through, could speak to the collaborative change programme and seek support if there's a specific issue to tackle this in the area. But householders and businesses must not pay for waste to be removed by unlicensed operators. This is a breach of the duty of care regulations. But perhaps there's an awareness-raising exercise to be had around that as well. I think if there's anything really specific you have in respect of your constituency, then I'm more than happy for my officials to liaise with you on that, and any suggestions for taking this forward.