Concerns have been raised there is a "massive pile of bin bags" regularly stacked high on a city centre street in Oxford.
City councillors gathered at Oxford Town Hall on Monday (July 15) where motions were presented and questions directed at politicians.
Speaking out at the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor for Summerton Katherine Miles, said: "I was really shocked when I walked through Cornmarket after going to see an event in the theatre in Oxford and just seeing the huge number of bin bags that are piled high outside all of the premises on Cornmarket.
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"It really affects the public and community of this place.
"Do we find it acceptable these bin bags are piled high from 6pm until the middle of the night?
"It’s not very sightly and it contributes to pest issues."
Ms Miles asked the Labour administration about available options to improve the situation.
Cabinet member for citizen focused services and council companies, Nigel Chapman, responded: "Most of these businesses are often closed by 6pm.
"They've got to put their stuff out by 6pm - they can't put it out later.
"Most of the collection of waste takes place very early in the morning - between about 6am and 8am to 8.30am.
"I can explore whether it's possible to do it in the evening but I would be very surprised if it was commercially viable for ODS to do that."
Liberal Democrat Roz Smith made a comment from her seat saying this was "disappointing".
Cornmarket Street is a major pedestrianised street in the city centre that runs north to south between Magdalen Street and Carfax Tower.
The street was not always pedestrianised but from February 1971 only buses could travel through.
By way of a supplementary question, Ms Miles asked whether there was any way of working directly with businesses to "reduce the sheer volume of waste that they are producing".
Responding, Mr Chapman said: "There are obligations being placed on businesses in the first place.
"If there are concerns about the enforcement of those trading standards that's not our issue - it is the responsibility of the county."
Speaking after the meeting, Jericho & Osney ward Labour councillor Susanna Pressel said: "I agree that it is a bit annoying to see bags of waste outside the stores on Cornmarket Street and Queen Street in the evening.
"Some stores put out their bags when they close at about 6pm, but others do it much later.
"Oxford Direct Services (ODS) usually pick it up all in one go very early the next morning.
"They are reviewing the service to see if there is another way of doing it. The city council is good at enforcing the rules.
"Of course some stores use other firms like Grundon or Biffa. I’m not sure what their arrangements are.
"I’m actually amazed at the way ODS manages to keep these two very busy city centre streets so clean.”
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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