Fines for fly-tipping and 'environmental crimes' in Stafford borough set to rise

Councillors hope to raise fines for fly-tipping in the borough to £1,000 under new proposals.

A report to the borough council’s cabinet this Thursday will propose that fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering and graffiti should also increase to £500.

Councillor Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment, said: “Environmental crimes can ruin our enjoyment of public spaces, create an eyesore and cause damage to nature and wildlife.

"They are a blight on our neighbourhoods and have a detrimental effect on our communities and their wellbeing.”

Nationally, fly-tipping has been on the rise and the cost to the borough and its residents of clearing it up was around £30,000 last year.

As part of its ‘Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan’ the Government wants councils to take a tougher approach to environmental crimes and has set out new upper limits for FPNs.

It means that FPNs for fly-tipping would increase to £1,000, littering and graffiti offences to £500 and breach of household waste duty of care penalties to £600.

Councillor Fordham said: “The vast majority of our residents value their neighbourhoods and community, are upset when others do not, and will welcome a tougher approach.

"We will ensure that money collected in fines is used to support projects that improve the local environment and the quality of life of residents and that will include support of local community groups.”

Last year, FPNs or court actions included a £400 penalty for a Wolverhampton man who dumped a fridge in Holmcroft in Stafford, while a woman from Weston was fined £200 over waste which was dumped on the A51 and a Stafford woman was fined and ordered to pay court costs of £294 after she dumped bags of rubbish in the town.

Many offenders claim to have paid a ‘white van man’ to get rid of their rubbish, but the borough council says residents should only use registered waste-carriers or could find themselves facing punishment if rubbish is discarded illegally.

Councillor Fordham said: “Our residents hate people dumping rubbish illegally and we would encourage anyone with information on such activity to contact us in confidence.

"It is a case of a very few causing distress to many, but we can stop it by working together.”

To contact the council in confidence, email grimewatch@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619000.

There is a dedicated webpage at staffordbc.gov.uk/grimewatch to highlight some illegal rubbish dumps and how residents can get in touch with information.

The report to cabinet, which includes an early payment provision for all the fines, can be seen at staffordbc.gov.uk/cabinet.