‘Woeful’ number of fines issued for littering

THE number of fixed penalty notices issued by Angus Council staff to litterbugs has plummeted since the local authority introduced parking charges in the area.

Figures obtained by Angus South SNP MSP Graeme Dey through a freedom of information request show just one fine for littering was issued in 2019, against a high point of 81 in 2017.

The local authority has said enforcement should be a “final resort” against a small minority.

The figure fell to 15 in 2018 when parking charges were introduced and community wardens were deployed to enforce the controversial fees. Fines for fly-tipping increased from three in 2017 to nine in 2019.

Mr Dey said: “The dropoff in action around littering since 2017 is galling to say the least and it won’t be lost on council taxpayers this coincides with the deployment of community wardens to parking enforcement duties.”

He added: “Littering and fly-tipping are real blights. People need to desist and show respect for the natural environment.

“But when offences are committed and the perpetrators identified, we need the council to be prepared to take firm action.

“These figures are frankly woeful and it is little wonder we continue to see such high levels of littering and fly-tipping.”

A spokesman for Angus Council said the authority had placed an emphasis on prevention and littering reduction through education and public engagement.

He said: “The investigation of such incidents can take significant time and resources, but the more information we receive, the better chance we have of tracing those responsible. Our community enforcement wardens carry out regular patrols to deter and prevent all forms of environmental antisocial behaviour.

“They will take enforcement action where appropriate and prior to lockdown, shift patterns had been adjusted to try to have more impact.”

Incidents of fly-tipping can be reported by calling 03452 777778.

A NEW food and drink pop-up has opened for business on the city’s Waterfront.

Street food entrepreneurs Chris Heather and Melodie Paterson, in partnership with V&A Dundee, are now serving takeaway food and drink from a three-wheeled Piaggio van and converted horse box set up outside Scotland’s first design museum.

Specialising in serving seasonal Scottish food and drink at outdoors events and festivals, Heather Street Food will be outside V&A Dundee

DUNDEE has topped the Scottish league table for having the highest number of residents going to prison.

According to new statistics released by the Scottish Prison Service, Dundee city has consistently been the local authority area with the highest number of arrivals in the prison system.

And that has been the case every year for the past decade.

This is despite the number of Dundonians in prison falling from just under eight per 1,000 residents in 2010/11 to just over four per 1,000 in the past year.

Councillor Kevin Cordell, SNP convener of community safety and public protection at Dundee City Council, said: “We are aware of the trend of people sentenced to short-term prison sentences of less than four years.

“In response, we have utilised community payback orders, including unpaid work as an alternative sentencing option for the sheriff court.

“We have also been working with the Scottish Prison Service at HMP Perth to co-ordinate and provide support to prisoners on their release, in order to avoid them returning to custody.

“The completion rate of community payback orders and the number of unpaid work hours carried out by people across the city remains very high.

“As a result, re-offending and reconviction rates are reducing.”

Meanwhile Labour councillor Kevin Keenan said: “It is not the best reflection on our city, but we need to find out the reasons why