Fly-tipping fines increased to maximum

The changes to waste-related fixed penalty notices in Swale will come into effect in April

A council has increased the penalty for fly-tipping to the legal maximum of £1,000.

The changes made to waste-related fixed penalty notices (FPNs) by Swale Borough Council include increasing the fine for littering from £150 to £500 and fly-tipping from £400 to £1,000.

The changes will come into effect in April.

Chair of the council’s environment and climate change committee, Rich Lehmann, said: “In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to issue a single FPN, as everyone would dispose of their waste responsibly.”

Lesser littering offences, including single or smaller items, have been set to £200, which can be reduced to £150 if paid in full within 14 days.

‘Tough stance’

In 2023, the council issued about 1,100 FPNs for waste-related offences, with the proceeds used to support environment-related functions, with a focus on tackling fly-tipping and littering.

It also helped fund CCTV cameras in fly-tipping hotspots, additional litter bins, clean-up efforts and funds litter enforcement officers.

Councillor Lehmann says the increased fines reflect the damage it does to the environment.

“We will continue to take a tough stance against waste related offences like fly-tipping, as it takes considerable resources and officer-time to clean up the mess left behind by a tiny minority,” he said.

“Increasing the fines will hopefully act as a greater deterrent, but those that continue to fly-tip and are caught will now be paying more towards supporting further prevention and detection work.”

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