The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is seeking views on guidance to English councils about using their litter enforcement powers fairly and effectively.
Defra committed in the Litter Strategy for England to publish improved guidance to promote proportionate and responsible enforcement and now wants to know what you think about its guidance on proportionate and effective use of fixed penalties for littering and related offences.
The guidance is relevant for other environmental fixed penalty powers such as for abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping, parking, and offences related to domestic waste bins, Defra says.
“We committed in the Litter Strategy for England to publish improved guidance to promote proportionate and responsible enforcement,” the Department says. “We intend to put this guidance into the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse. Land managers in England have to have regard to this code.”
The news follows Defra’s recent announcement that the maximum on-the-spot fine for littering and graffiti has almost doubled from £80 to £150. For the first time, local authorities can also use these littering penalties against vehicle owners if it can be proved litter was thrown from their car.
Serco research this week also revealed Brits support taking a “significantly tougher” stance on punishing those who litter, giving their backing to a range of strict new measures to tackle the growing problem.
This consultation closes on 8 June 2018.