Litter enforcement officers will be introduced by Bath & North East Somerset Council in an effort to ‘reduce environmental crime’ and make communities cleaner and greener.
The plans, which were recently scrutinised following a formal ‘call-in’ by Lib Dem councillors, will see streets, parks and public spaces patrolled by enforcement officers from early next year.
The enforcement officers will have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for littering, dog fouling or fly-tipping.
Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for Development & Neighbourhoods, said “We work hard to keep our streets and public spaces clean, but all too often council taxpayers foot the bill to pick up other people’s rubbish.
“Litter louts should be held accountable and increasing enforcement should make them think twice about their actions.
“After all, it isn’t difficult to find a bin and dispose of your rubbish properly and if the bin is full then take your rubbish home and recycle it or put it in the general waste.
“This is a pilot scheme so we will monitor it carefully to make sure it has the desired impact on the environment and we’ll be listening to feedback from local people.”
The enforcement officers will work across Bath and North East Somerset and will be provided at no cost to the council.
Over the coming weeks the council will ask private sector suppliers to put forward proposals for the 12 month pilot project, with the aim of awarding a contract in December.
It is anticipated the enhanced litter enforcement will be rolled out in early spring next year.
In July the council adopted the maximum £150 Fixed Penalty Notice FPN for dropping litter, including cigarette ends and people caught on camera throwing litter from vehicles.
Anyone caught fly-tipping in the area can be issued with a FPN up to £400.
The hefty new fines are part of the council’s continued drive to deter people from littering. Stickers and posters advising people about the new fines have been placed on council litter bins.
The council says it will also continue to use innovative ways to tackle the problem, including evidence of littering from vehicles captured by dash cams installed in council vehicles.
Councillor Richard Samuel, Lib Dem Spokesperson on Environment (Walcot ward) commented: “The Lib Dems are in favour of enhanced activity to tackle anti-social littering. However, fundamentally we do not believe this proposal will be effective.
“A similar scheme in Bristol showed that private enforcement focused almost exclusively on smoking-related litter. Cigarette butts are unsightly, but this would mean there would be very little action taken against the more unpleasant problems of fly tipping and dog fouling.
“It remains to be seen whether this scheme will do anything beyond enriching a private company.”