Fines for littering, daubing graffiti and fly-tipping have been increased by Government – a move welcomed as the council continues its war on litter louts.
The Government increased the upper limits for various fixed penalty notices (FPNs) on 10 July. Now anyone caught fly-tipping can be fined £1,000 – up from £400 – and anyone caught littering or daubing graffiti can be fined £500 – up from £150.
The move will also see fines for people who use rogue traders to illegally dump household waste increased to £600 from £400.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have promised to show no mercy against litter louts and fly-tippers – it’s irresponsible, it’s selfish and it’s disgusting.
“Why people continue to think it is acceptable to drop litter in the first-place baffles me but to then expect the taxpayers of North Lincolnshire to foot the bill for cleaning up is infuriating.
“I am pleased the Government has made these new powers available at pace and we will implement the new upper limits at the first available opportunity. If people persist in dropping litter, they will pay for it.”
The new powers become available to councils from July 31, 21 days after the legislation was laid.
In addition to increasing the upper limit on fines, the Government launched a consultation on ringfencing the receipts from FPNs for litter and fly-tipping to fund local authorities’ enforcement and clean-up activities, such as spending the money raised from fining criminals on further enforcement officers.
This would see the money paid by criminals go directly back into repairing the damage from their crimes, or into enforcement efforts to prevent similar incidents.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “We have used every power available to us to crack down on this anti-social behaviour and will continue to do so until littering is eradicated in North Lincolnshire.
“We have huge swathes of beautiful green space, award winning parks and gardens, and beautiful towns and villages yet some people continue to think that respecting these places and acting responsibly doesn’t apply to them – they may well very quickly change their mind when faced with a £500 fine.”
Announcing the new upper limits, Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: “Everyone loathes litter louts and people who dump rubbish. We are increasing the penalties local councils can apply for this behaviour that spoils our streets and harms nature.”
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow added: “We’re taking action right across government to crack down on anti-social behaviour and ensure waste criminals face justice – but it’s vital that communities have the tools they need to address the problem as well.
“That’s why we are supporting local authorities by increasing the upper limit for on-the-spot fines and ringfencing the proceeds for clean-up and enforcement operations.”
