03 March 2006
Town hall leaders have hit back at ministerial criticisms that they are not making full use of new powers to crack down on environmental crimes such as littering and dog fouling.
In a speech on February 27, environment minister Ben Bradshaw said he was 'disturbed' to hear that of the 20,000 fixed penalty notices issued in 2004/05, 8,000 (40%) were never paid.
'Far too many local authorities are treating fixed penalty notices as some kind of voluntary fining scheme – what kind of message does that send to the litterbugs and vandals?' Bradshaw said.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which comes into force in April, will boost councils' powers, allowing them to issue fines for a wider range of crimes.
Bradshaw urged town halls to make the most of these new powers. 'It's no good issuing fines only to let these litterbugs, fly-posters and irresponsible dog owners get away with it,' he said.
But David Sparks, chair of the Local Government Association's environment board, said smaller, resource-strapped councils needed a helping hand in tracking down non-payers.
He said: 'The costs to councils of taking a fine dodger to court often will exceed the cost of the original fine.'
Sparks added that the powers were needed, but councils had always been clear they would be introduced gradually in accordance with local circumstances.
'When the wider range of powers comes into force in April, councils will be upping their game and using these measures in the most effective and efficient manner to keep our streets clean and safe,' he said.
PFmar2006
