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Councillor Sterry asked: I have received written correspondence from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) stating removal of abandoned trolleys in the watercourses: “this is not within the remit of NRW and needs to be dealt with by yourselves at Newport Council” This appears to directly contradict the Council’s adopted Abandoned Shopping Trolley Policy, which excludes trolleys found in reens and watercourses on the basis that responsibility lies with NRW or other agencies. I raised concerns at the time of consultation that excluding watercourses would create a gap in responsibility, and it now appears that this risk has materialised. In light of this, could the Cabinet Member clarify: 1) Whether Newport City Council now accepts responsibility for the removal of abandoned trolleys in reens and similar watercourses; 2) What interim arrangements are in place to ensure such obstructions are removed where NRW and riparian owners do not act; 3) Whether the Cabinet Member accepts that the current policy leaves a gap in responsibility, and will commit to bringing forward a revision to ensure residents are protected from avoidable flood risk. Councillor Forsey responded: Primary responsibility for removal of trolleys from watercourses sits with the riparian landowner, but NRW has a duty to act on main rivers if there is a flood risk or in reens/drainage networks under their direct management. Newport Council will remove trolleys in line with its Abandoned Trolleys policy, and as previously stated, in situations where other agencies or owners fail to act, Newport City cannot assume responsibility for recovery operations. The council lacks the resources to undertake such tasks and the charges imposed on trolley owners would not suffice to cover the costs of these recovery operations, particularly in areas requiring specialist contractors. It would also be unfair to utilise council funds, derived from Newport residents, to compensate for the inaction of the responsible agencies or owners. Nonetheless, Newport City Council remains committed to tackling this matter and as previously indicated, it is in contact with Natural Resources Wales, seeking collaboration to ensure mutual understanding and prompt action from all parties involved.
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