SOUTH Staffordshire council chiefs have insisted they have been working hard to clamp down on flytippers after calls from MPs to do more to stamp out the problem around landmark pub The Crooked House at Himley.

MPs Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) and Marco Longhi (Dudley North) joined forces to call for action to try to put a stop to the problem which they say has blighted the area around the famous Dudley pub.

Councillor Rita Heseltine, South Staffordshire District Council's cabinet member for regulatory services, said a huge amount of work has gone into trying to stamp out the problem and she told the News: "Fly-tipping is a national issue that effects our local environment and South Staffordshire Council are working hard to tackle this across the district.

"Over the last year, we have carried out six months’ worth of targeted covert surveillance near The Crooked House which borders Staffordshire and Dudley to try and catch fly tippers in the act.

"As a result of this work, we have issued two fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping and a further four for littering.

"We have also engaged with land owners and the Environment Agency to start the conversation on the ground about what more could be done to tackle the issue collaboratively.

"Our planning enforcement team have specifically been working with Wienerberger Ltd to arrange clearance and securing their land on the lane leading to the Crooked House.

"During the last year this council has invested in our covert camera surveillance and outreach work.

"From October 2020 until the end of April 2021, we issued 20 fixed penalty notices specifically linked to fly tipping offences.

"We are also developing our own understanding of fly-tipping intelligence and local ‘hotspots’ by mapping incidents, and working with partners such as parish councils, local businesses and neighbouring authorities to tackle this issue."