Council’s £400 fine to tackle fly-tipping
SEFTON Council is getting even tougher on fly-tippers who dump their waste across the borough.
For the first time, the council can now issue fixed penalty notices of £400 to people caught flytipping.
New Government legislation allows local authorities to set the amount for a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping.
It is estimated during the 2015/16 financial year, Sefton Council spent almost £400,000 in relation to the clearance, disposal and enforcement of fly-tipping offences.
To raise awareness of the new fines, digital ad vans will be out and about in the borough at fly-tipping hotspots warning people that dumping goods is illegal.
Posters and banners will also be springing up at areas known for fly-tipping across Sefton highlighting the new fixed penalty fines.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “We have always taken a tough stance on fly-tipping and this change now allows us to punish the culprits with a hefty fine. Hopefully it will make people think twice about just dumping their waste wherever they want.
“Fly-tipping is not only unsightly and anti-social, but it can also be a serious risk to people’s health and can cause considerable damage to the environment.
“We will always investigate reports of fly-tipping within Sefton and prosecute offenders when we can and hope the fixed penalty notices of £400 will act as a real deterrent.
“Please dispose of your waste in the proper fashion and make Sefton a cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.”
If any residents have concerns regarding flytipping, or wish to report an offence, they can contact the council on 0345 140 0845 or report it via their website www.sefton. gov.uk/flytipping