Trafford Council has announced the launch of a specialist hotline dedicated to reporting acts of fly-tipping after rates soar in the borough over lockdown.
Members of the public who witness fly-tippers dumping rubbish can now report them directly to the council’s tip-off line on 0161 912 4152.
The authority’s Environmental Improvement team will then take action against the fly-tippers.
If convicted, they could face a £200 fixed penalty notice, or a fine up to £50,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment.
The tip-off line will be launched on 28th September, and those who call are encouraged to give as much information as possible including descriptions of those involved, where the crime is taking place and information regarding the vehicle type and registration.
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Callers are also encouraged to take photographs and videos of the crime taking place if it is safe to do so.
Trafford Council is launching the hotline after recording a huge increase in the number of fly-tipping incidents over the last six months and particularly during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown period. The council’s Environmental Improvement team have been working hard catching fly-tippers in action with the use of CCTV cameras.
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The hotline is seen as a “major boost to the campaign”.
Trafford Council
Since the 1st September, Trafford Council is confirmed to have issued more than 90 fixed penalty charges – which have resulted in hundreds of pounds of fines – and there are also two cases of fly-tipping listed for the magistrates’ court, with 62 further cases under investigation.
Speaking on the launch of the hotline, Cllr Stephen Adshead – Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Air Quality, Environment and Climate Change – said: “Our Environmental Improvement team works tirelessly week in week out in a bid to eradicate fly-tipping in Trafford.
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“Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated in any part of the borough – and therefore I welcome this additional support that will help deter offenders from blighting our streets and neighbourhoods with their rubbish.
“If you witness a fly-tipping incident, do not turn a blind eye, call the tip-off line.
“These environmental law-breakers must be stopped and held accountable for their actions. Every call will be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.”
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The tip-off hotline and email [email protected] are only to be used for reporting fly-tippers, where members of the public witness people fly-tipping.
If residents want to report dumped rubbish they should call 03330035865.
News
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2020 
