Calls for councils to keep fly-tipping fine money

Council leaders are calling for fly-tipping fine money to be reinvested into local services

Council leaders are calling for local authorities to be allowed to keep the thousands of pounds generated from fly-tipping fines, rather than handing the money over to central government.

South Gloucestershire Council's councillor Sean Rhodes said the authority raised £50,000 in 2024 from winning court cases against fly-tippers - but had to hand it to the Treasury.

Council leaders have written to the government urging ministers to introduce a change in law to allow local authorities to keep the money, so they can reinvest in services.

The Treasury has been approached for comment.

Mr Rhodes, the council's cabinet member for communities and local place, said fly-tipping in the county has "plateaued" in the last few years but "hasn't gone away".

Sean Rhodes said the council had to give £50,000 to central government last year

"Even though we've reached a point where the level of fly-tipping has plateaued, it has a really big impact on residents," he said.

"They want to see these kind of things cleared up."

He added: "It's council taxpayers who pay for this work."

Mr Rhodes confirmed the council is still waiting on the government's response.