Personally Speaking: ‘We can't let those doing the right thing carry the cost for those who don't'
- Aug 28
- 4 min read
We all deserve to live in communities that are safe, secure and clean – with access to good and reliable services, shops you want to visit and a thriving local high street, as well as a chance to embrace the arts, culture and all other opportunities to socialise.
In Newcastle-under-Lyme, we know more than enough about the need for our communities to be clean, and the terrible impact that waste crime and fly-tipping can have. The experience of Walleys Quarry Landfill site – which at the time I write this comment piece has been closed for 635 days – showed all too clearly the distress and frustration caused by environmental problems that are allowed to take hold in a community, and the need for those responsible to face consequences for the misery and damage they cause.
That’s why I welcome the Government’s Waste Crime Action Plan and the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a renewed crackdown on the criminal gangs profiting from illegal waste is so important.
The latest measures will see greater use of drones to identify illegal waste sites, more Environment Agency officers on the ground, and greater involvement from the Police and National Crime Agency in tackling the organised criminals behind this activity. And for those caught illegally dumping waste, the maximum fine is being increased to £5,000. About time.
We’ve seen first-hand in Newcastle-under-Lyme the damage that waste crime can cause. And now we have bold action being taken to ensure those responsible face the consequences.
That same principle – the need to crack down on criminals exploiting the system – can be seen on our high streets too. At the heart of achieving a thriving high street is the ability for people to start a local business, establish themselves on the high street and know that they are competing on a level playing field. A business that plays by the rules shouldn’t be at a disadvantage because others are not. And this is often most evident in vape shops.
Since coming into government, we’ve introduced stronger measures to tackle rogue businesses and “dodgy shops” – such as vape shops – that sell illegal products, avoid tax, or engage in organised criminal gang activity.
The government has strengthened the ability of local authorities and enforcement agencies to take action against these businesses. In May, the government also put £30 million towards tackling this issue – establishing a new High Street Organised Crime Unit, bringing together Trading Standards, the Police, HMRC and other agencies to target criminal gangs that use high-street businesses to make money.
This Labour government is taking steps to give communities like ours a greater say over what is allowed to open on our high streets, including closing planning loopholes and bringing new vape shops under planning controls.
People in Newcastle-under-Lyme should be safe in the knowledge that the high street will look appealing and welcoming – that our shops and amenities will represent Newcastle-under-Lyme’s offer to the world.
The small businesses that contribute so much to the offer Newcastle-under-Lyme provides should be supported, not undermined by those who ignore the rules, sell illegal products or fail to meet the standards we rightly expect.
Our high street should reflect the spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme – the spirit we know. Each shop, café, bar, restaurant and venue must be allowed to play its part in creating a town centre that we can be proud of and want to visit. And we only achieve that when those who break the rules, disregard the community around them and undermine other businesses are held to account and, where necessary, stopped from operating.
The same goes for our homes. Residents should feel confident that where they live won’t be disrespected – that the spirit of their neighbourhood is considered when significant changes are proposed. Especially when it comes to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Recently, residents’ voices were heard on Well Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where – thanks to the objections of local residents, and local Councillor Sheelagh Casey-Hulme – a proposed HMO was challenged head on. It shows the importance of giving residents a voice and properly considering the impact on the spirit of the community, particularly in an area already dense with similar developments
We need to build more homes, while making sure they are good-quality homes that work for the neighbourhoods they become part of. That’s why the words of the Prime Minister, spoken just after his by-election victory in Makerfield, where he railed against the possibility of “HMO Britain”, are important.
We have so much to offer. From our independent businesses to our pubs, bars, and clubs, and to events such as the Newcastle Jazz & Blues Festival taking place this weekend, there is a real opportunity to showcase the very best of what our area has to offer.
The action this government has taken on waste crime, fly-tipping, and illegal vaping matters. It’s about making sure that the people who do the right thing are not left carrying the cost of those who do not. And it is about making sure people have access to a thriving high street that reflects our local values, showcases what Newcastle-under-Lyme has to offer and serves our community.
