Dropping rubbish on the streets could cost you £500
Councillors have recommended an increase in the penalties for littering and fly-tipping in Tonbridge and Malling.
Changes to government legislation allow councils to increase the maximum fixed penalty for littering from £150 to £500. The maximum for fly-tipping has risen from £400 to £1,000.
Members of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee meeting on 7 February considered a range of increases that could now be adopted to deter people from dropping or dumping rubbish. A report set out four options, ranging from keeping penalties at current levels to adopting the new maximum for both types of offence.
The committee voted to support a two-tier approach to littering fines and moving to the maximum of £1,000 for fly-tipping. First time or small scale littering offences would attract a penalty of £250, or £125 if paid early, rising to the maximum of £500 for larger items or repeat offences.
The increase follows a pilot scheme with enforcement specialists, NES, which deploys officers in towns and villages across the borough to issue penalties for littering and investigate fly tips. The pilot is one of a range of measures contributing to the council’s work to care for the environment, one of four strategic priorities set out in its corporate plan.
The trial scheme saw more than 3,400 fines issued during its first twelve months. Figures for 2022-2023, show Tonbridge and Malling recorded 833 incidents of fly-tipping and issued 83 fixed penalty notices for that offence, more than any other authority in Kent. In June 2023, councillors agreed to extend the trial so a permanent contractor could be appointed.
Cllr Martin Coffin, cabinet lead for transformation and infrastructure, said: ‘When we prepared the report and looked at the options we had, we wanted to send a strong message. Everyone agrees that fly-tipping is absolutely abhorrent, so we will be making it widely known that that the fine for anyone caught doing it in Tonbridge and Malling will now be £1,000.’
Referring to comments from committee members about the need for enforcement officers to exercise discretion when dealing with littering, he added: ‘We can also ensure that the operatives are trained so that they can understand the difference between an accidental and deliberate littering.’
The changes are due to be implemented when a new fly-tipping and litter enforcement contract starts later this year.