Councils in Wales are now able to issue fines for fly-tipping incidents after the National Assembly for Wales approved the Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalties) (Wales) Regulations 2017.
This move has followed a public consultation, earlier this year, which revealed overwhelming support in favour of the new powers.
Local authorities are now able to set a fixed penalty amount between £150 and £400, with a default of £200 where no amount is specified. A reduction for early payment can be made available and Local Authorities can retain the receipts to help contribute to the costs of dealing with fly-tipping. The Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) can be applied on both publicly and privately owned land.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: “Fly-tipping blights our communities and it damages our environment.
“These powers will provide Local Authorities with an additional enforcement tool for small-scale fly-tipping offences where a prosecution is considered disproportionate.
“I am sure Local Authorities and communities will welcome these new powers. However, I feel it is important Local Authorities accompany these new powers with the appropriate level of public engagement, awareness raising and wider education programmes. I believe this is essential to ensure a positive response from the public and a sustainable reduction in offending behaviour”.