Local authorities should be able to issue fixed penalty notices to fly-tippers to help them recoup some the £36m spent every year clearing up dumped waste, according to council chiefs.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said the current system works against councils due to the time consuming and costly process of pursuing offenders through the courts.
Councils are often only awarded partial costs because courts take into account the financial circumstances of defendants. Buckinghamshire Waste Partnership, a joint initiative between the county council and four districts, has secured just 59% of the cost of successful fly-tipping prosecutions over the last ten years.
The LGA wants councils to be awarded full costs and to be given greater powers – such as fixed penalty notices – to make the system more ‘fit for purpose’.
Cllr Peter Box, the LGA’s environment spokesman said: ‘Currently councils can only take fly-tippers to court rather than issuing a fine – when sometimes this is a more appropriate response – and in many cases they are unable to reclaim the full costs.??
‘Local authorities are remarkably effective and efficient in tackling fly-tipping but the current system works against them. We need a new streamlined system which helps councils and hurts those doing the dumping, one that is nimble, flexible and effective.????
‘All the figures show that the huge amount of effort local authorities put into preventing and tackling fly-tipping is having a real impact - but new powers would ensure it goes even further. Not only does fly-tipping create an eyesore for residents, it is also a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin.’
