PEOPLE caught throwing rubbish from cars can be punished from next year under a government crackdown to tackle rubbish blighting streets.
Barnsley Council will be given the powers to get tough with litter louts and those who mindlessly throw rubbish from their vehicles under new measures announced by environment minister Therese Coffey.
It cost Barnsley taxpayers more than £230,000 to clean up the borough’s streets and countryside in 2016/17 in the ongoing battle against illegal dumping and littering.
The government announcement this week means that from April, the maximum on-the-spot fine councils can issue for dropping litter will almost double, from £80 to £150. The minimum fine will increase from £50 to £65, while the default fine will increase from £75 to £100.
For the first time, councils will also be able to apply these penalties for littering to vehicle owners if it can be proved litter was thrown from their car - even if it was discarded by somebody else.
The changes to fines for littering follow a public consultation as part of the launch of England’s first ever Litter Strategy earlier this year, a move that was welcomed by Barnsley Council.
Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokeswoman for communities, said: “We welcome the new litter strategy for England, which was announced by the government this week, and will be reviewing their suggestions. As part of our #EverybodyThink campaign we’re committed to tackling issues that affect our communities including fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling which is all a blight on our beautiful borough.”
Legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of this year and the new fines in place by April, subject to parliamentary approval.
The government is clear however that councils must not abuse the power to impose fines. They will be expected to take into account local circumstances, like ability to pay, when setting the level for fines. Government guidance will be issued early next year to ensure the new powers are used in a fair and proportionate way by local authorities.
Environment minister Therese Coffey said: “Littering blights our communities, spoils our countryside and taxpayers’ money is wasted cleaning it up.
“Throwing rubbish from a vehicle is just as unacceptable as dropping it in the street and we will tackle this antisocial behaviour by hitting litter louts in the pocket.
“These new fines will make sure the perpetrators, not the local community, bear the cost of keeping our streets and roads clean.”
