Council to get tough on litter louts

Plans to get tough on litter louts by increasing fines for a range of environmental offences are due to be discussed by Wyre Forest District Councillors next week.

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will examine proposals to review fixed penalty notice charges when they meet on Thursday 5 July, before a final decision is taken by Cabinet on Tuesday 17 July.

The proposals send a clear message out to people who discard litter in the street, fly-post or daub graffiti around the area,  that the council is serious about keeping the district clean and looking good. The new penalties are part of a multi-pronged approach that includes educating and encouraging members of the public to play their part. 

They would also bring the council’s approach into line with new Government guidance set out in its its National Litter Strategy for England. In April 2018 the Government increased the maximum level of fixed penalties that councils are able to impose for littering, the unauthorised distribution of free printed literature, graffiti and fly-posting from £80 to £150.

As a result Wyre Forest District Council has reviewed its fixed penalty notice charges and proposes increasing fines for littering, fly-posting and graffiti from £75 to £150, which would be reduced to £100 if paid promptly.  A full list of proposed charges for all environmental offences is available here.  

Cabinet Member for Operational Services Councillor Rebecca Vale said:

“We will continue to raise awareness about the environmental damage these offences can cause and the amount of money we spend cleaning up afterwards. This amounts to thousands of pounds each year that could be put to much better use.

“We need to make sure we keep pace with national thinking on this problem and impose fines on the small minority of people who are reluctant to change their behavior and show such disregard to their surroundings.                                                                             

“If we could eradicate environmental crime completely we would have no need to issue any fixed penalty notices.”