Backing for ‘private army’ in litter fight

A challenge to plans to bring in “private army” to issue fines across Bath and North East Somerset for littering, dog fouling and flytipping has failed. Liberal Democrats called for cabinet members to rethink their decision, saying the proposal had not been properly scrutinised and risked hitting the most vulnerable the hardest. Conservatives accused their opponents of playing politics and said there had been consultation and it was “unambiguous” how enforcement would be delivered at zero cost to the council. The vote fell along party lines to allow the decision to stand and the year-long pilot scheme will go ahead, with a review after six months. Councillor Richard Samuel, who led the call-in and branded the enforcement officers a “private litter army”, said: “Neither I nor the Liberal Democrat group are opposed to enhanced activity to tackle antisocial littering, dog fouling or fly tipping. It is not the ends we are concerned about but the means.” He said a lot of information had emerged since the decision that had not been available to cabinet members or the public that needed to be properly scrutinised. Councillor Samuel said only six fines had been issued for littering in the last 12 months and only 11 for flytipping. He concluded that the private firm would have to issue 1,400 fines to pay its staff and drive a profit – 230 times the current level. John Chapman, a resident who also spoke out against the scheme at September’s council meeting, said: “The private firm’s focus will be on maximising revenue. They will be focusing on easy targets rather than serious offences. “In Bristol, 98.3 per cent of the fines were for cigarette butts. I want the council to deliver enforcement that is effective, proportionate and fair.” He said there were “horror stories”, with private firms acting as “judge, jury and executioner” and argued that enforcement has to remain “inhouse” at the authority to ensure it is not target-driven. The meeting heard that all of the income from the fines could go to the private firm or some could be shared with the council, depending on the contract that is agreed. Cabinet member Bob Goodman, the main proponent of the scheme, said: “The Lib Dems have made this call-in for political points only. If you don’t drop litter, you won’t be fined. I hope everyone knows it’s unacceptable to drop litter. “Residents want clean streets and an environment they can be proud of. We’ve done a lot of education. It’s time for a different approach.” Councillor Goodman gave his assurance that the contract will feature safeguards to protect vulnerable groups and a proper appeals process, and give the council a say on what the private enforcement officers prioritise. Councillor Goodman said he consulted his counterparts in Bristol and after their own pilot scheme they are signing a four-year contract to continue private enforcement. Opponents said the scheme could damage the council’s reputation if vulnerable groups or tourists are targeted, but Councillor Michael Evans said it will be burnished when people see the authority is taking action. He argued it was “unambiguous” how the contract will be delivered at zero cost, with fines funding enforcement.