Focus on enforcement sees more than 1,400 penalties issued
A pilot scheme to crack down on littering and fly-tipping in Tonbridge and Malling has seen more than 1,000 fixed penalty notices issued during its first six months.
A report to borough councillors stated that the one-year partnership with enforcement company NES has seen penalties issued for dropping cigarette butts, fly-tipping and littering. Those caught are subject to a £150 fine for littering, reduced to £100 if paid within 10 days, and £400 for fly-tipping.
Members of the Community and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee meeting on 14 June voted in favour of putting the pilot scheme on a more permanent footing by inviting tenders for a longer term contract. Councillors also agreed to request that NES increases its focus on targeting fly-tippers. The proposal will now go to Cabinet in July for approval.
Councillors were told that patrols have focused on ‘hot spot’ areas such as high streets, shopping areas, fast-food outlets and stations. Around half the fines were issued in the Tonbridge area with the remainder spread across the rest of the borough.
The 1,464 penalty notices which had been paid so far generated a total of £131,650. The council does not receive any income from the penalties, with all revenue used to fund the NES patrols and support staff.
The report acknowledged that a small number of penalties were issued in error and had to be rescinded. However, it added that the overall level of complaints was low and that NES had been ‘pragmatic in their approach to representations from offenders and prompt and efficient in their response to any complaints’.
Cllr Martin Coffin, the council’s cabinet member for waste services, said: ‘We know that the vast majority of residents want to live in a litter-free environment and this pilot scheme has shown an innovative approach to tackling the issue at no cost to the council tax payer. The first six months has provided valuable insights into how we can build on this progress in future years and increase the focus on areas of concern such as fly-tipping. I look forward to discussing the committee’s recommendation with my cabinet colleagues.’
Read the report to the Community and Environment Select Committee.