Bins should be provided’

EXMOUTH landlords could be forced to provide bins for tenants in flats and bedsits to stop the spread of stinking refuse in the town s streets.

EXMOUTH landlords could be forced to provide bins for tenants in flats and bedsits to stop the spread of stinking refuse in the town's streets.

The town council's regeneration and general purposes committee is to request that East Devon District Council compel landlords to provide bins.

This is to help prevent the regular site on Thursdays - rubbish collection day - when the streets of Exmouth are strewn with rubbish, after seagulls tear open the bags left out over night to get morsels of food.

It follows a proposal by the Town Hall earlier this month to formulate an action plan to deal with the seagull scourge.

Suggestions made on Monday included providing seagull-proof bags or large bins positioned in the town centre for business refuse, regularly left out on the pavement the evening before its collection.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Pauline Stott said: "A lot of the problem is residents. They leave the rubbish out the night before and it isn't collected until the next morning."

She added that East Devon would be rolling out the bins scheme to Exmouth homes from January - first trialled in Seaton Colyton and Beer - but admitted there was a problem.

Cllr Steve Wragg said the amount of rubbish was also an issue, much of which could be recycled; and that East Devon should fine those who don't.

Cllr Eileen Wragg said: "One of the problems is multiple occupancy buildings. Many of these people cannot afford bins and it is not on their list of priorities.

"We could propose EDDC press landlords to supply bins. They don't necessarily have to be wheelie bins but just something secure."

Cllr Mark Williamson said: "We are looking for wins however small.

"This is one practical way to reduce litter on our streets.