Council Clamp-Down on Litter Louts

Litter louts who drop rubbish from vehicles could face fines of up to £250 as Bromsgrove District Council clamps down on environmental crime.

At a meeting last night members voted to empower Civil Enforcement Officers to issue Litter Penalty Charge Notices (Litter PCNs) if they spot rubbish being thrown out of cars.

The officers are already out and about on the streets enforcing parking regulations and issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

According to a report from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), the organisation which carries out enforcement action on behalf of the Council, utilising these Officers will provide another avenue to ensure individuals that litter from vehicles are caught.

The agreed partnership working will allow the Council to send Litter PCNs to the car owner or keeper responsible if an offence is witnessed. The fine is £250 but reduces to £125 if paid within 14 days.

District Councillor Kit Taylor, whose portfolio covers WRS, said: “While this will not detract from the day to day job of our parking enforcement officers if they do see someone littering they can do something about it.

“Hopefully this will also act as a deterrent and prove that this Council will not tolerate people disrespecting our District and making it an eyesore for our residents and communities.

“The message is loud and clear – please keep your rubbish in your car until you are able to dispose of it correctly if you want to avoid a fine!”

Over the next few months equipment and licenses will need to be updated to issue the fines for a go live date later this year.

At the meeting members also agreed to adopt the Bromsgrove and Redditch Enforcement Policy, written by WRS, which replaces the Joint Environmental Enforcement Strategy.

The new policy complements the Council’s ability to enforce Fixed Penalty Notices on a range of environmental crimes including fly-tipping whilst also educating residents and businesses on how they can legally dispose of their waste.

The Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services Cllr Peter Whittaker said: “As set out in our Council Plan increased environmental enforcement will help to protect the beautiful environment of our district.

“It shouldn’t be down to our Place Team and our litter pickers to clean up our District especially if it has been dropped in the road, placing them at risk.

“Let’s be proud of Bromsgrove and don’t drop rubbish in the first place.”

Members of the public who witness littering are asked to report it at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/reportlittering