Purpose

Recommendation to introduce new enviro-crime offences available to the Council, and review fines for littering and fly-tipping

Decision

1)    That the content of the report be noted

2)    That the new Fixed Penalty Notices are authorised and adopted

3)    That the fine levels be agreed for all Fixed Penalty Notices detailed within this report

4)    That the delegations are agreed for the Fixed Penalty Notices to be issued and enforcement action taken

Reasons for the decision

Adopting the additional offences and increasing fixed penalty notice fines for environmental crime enables the Council to effectively tackle offenders. Fixed penalty notices provide a swift and proportionate response to such crimes, although the Council recognises that prosecution will be an appropriate response in some cases.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing.

This would mean that the Council will not be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for the additional offences or increase the penalty level for the offences of fly-tipping, graffiti, littering and fly-posting

Or,

Choose an alternative fine level within the boundaries dictated by legislation.