Question

Concerns raised over dumping of vehicles at Cuba

During the weekend I received a complaint from a rather angry constituent regarding the dumping/abandoning of vehicles behind the Georgetown area known as Cuba. To make matters worse, it would appear that AIG is also involved with dumping vehicles in this area, as an AIG employee was recently seen to convey two vehicles to the area and left them there.

Although I wasn't unduly concerned about the vehicles being in the area (they are located immediately behind our residence), I became concerned when the complainant stated that abandoned vehicles encourages rodents in the area, as apparently they like to use abandoned vehicles as nesting places.

In view of the above, it would be appreciated if I could be informed why AIG has seen fit to dump two, obviously abandoned, vehicles in the area in question and what action, if any, is going to be taken to remove all of the vehicles from the area to alleviate any possible rodent problems.

In the longer term, could we possible have a policy/law to deal with abandoning of vehicles. I am of the view that there should be penalties for departing the island and leaving behind abandoned vehicles - they should be properly disposed off prior to departure. Rotting vehicles outside of homes are also an eyesore - this should also be covered by policy.

Response

It is correct that an A I G employee acting under instruction moved a vehicle form the old Motel area to the back of Cuba where several other vehicles are parked.  Unfortunately the back of Cuba seems to have become a default area for leaving vehicles out of sight and the practice is indeed not limited to Cuba, or Georgetown.  The keeping of scrap vehicles for spares and the long term carrying out of repairs and retention of off the road vehicles around properties and waste land areas in and around both Georgetown and Two Boats, as well as the Hobby Park is a perennial problem which we intend to address.

By means of a physical survey which we shall undertake over the next few weeks, we shall seek to identify ownership of all non-roadworthy/immobile vehicles and identify areas where immediate interventions for improvement can be taken, such as requesting owners or householders to arrange for removed, scrapping or suitable disposal through our Waste Management Team.  The issue of scrapping and disposal of vehicle was in part addressed with the installation of the metal crusher and although a loose process was put in place there has been slippage. We intend to reinstate and extend the procedure and processes, so as to give impetus for formalising action and appropriate sanctions to support the work of the Waste Management and Safety teams.

I have given instruction that no A I G staff member is to officially deposit any vehicle in residential areas henceforth.  Once we have further insight to the extent of the problem with some short term interventions  we shall arrange for a Public Notice to go out through the Administrators office  highlighting the problems and indicating short and longer term actions to be taken to provide solutions.

Discussions were started some years ago with a view to drawing up a process or policy on ‘End of vehicle Life’ but these were never finalised.   As part of the initiatives outlined herein we shall liaise and work with the Post Office and Police services to develop a proper deregistration process with suitable sanctions for noncompliance.

Councillor Nicholls

Submitted: 8 February 2021

Response: 26 February 2021