RBWM Announcement 3rd July
Litter louts beware - the Royal Borough is proposing a 'zero tolerance' approach to anyone throwing rubbish on the ground instead of in the bin.
Culprits will be handed a £75 fixed penalty notice - with a £25 discount if paid within 10 working days - if the proposal is given the thumbs up.
The new policy, which was discussed at the Planning and Environment |Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting on Monday June 30, will be presented to cabinet for approval on Thursday July 24.
Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways, transport and environment, said: 'The cleanliness of our streets is a high priority, as is borne out by our high ranking in a whole range of local authority clean-street surveys. We also take a proactive approach to working with partners on various intiatives.
'However even one piece of litter is one piece too many and we intend to make the borough even cleaner - making it even more appealing to residents, employees and visitors.'
Based on a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement, two newly-appointed litter enforcement officers will at first concentrate on awareness campaigns aimed at the public and shops, pubs and businesses.'
Cllr Rayner said: 'This was the same approach used with the introduction of smokefree legislation, which worked very well.'
The message to the public is that, as well as being an eyesore, littering attracts more littering, encourages vermin, and picking up litter costs money, while shops, pubs and businesses will be encouraged to take responsibility for the litter created by customers and staff. Businesses ignoring this responsibility could find themselves facing legal action.
Blitzes will take place on specific areas, especially town centres, by the officers supported by the police.
Cllr Rayner added: 'Cigarette butts and chewing gum are classified as litter and areas where smokers congregate - and drop stubs - outside buildings will be particularly targeted.
'Everybody who works and lives in the borough must take on the responsibilty of keeping the area clean and tidy. If you see someone drop litter, please ask them to pick it up and put it in a bin!'
Litter louts beware - the Royal Borough is proposing a 'zero tolerance' approach to anyone throwing rubbish on the ground instead of in the bin.
Culprits will be handed a £75 fixed penalty notice - with a £25 discount if paid within 10 working days - if the proposal is given the thumbs up.
The new policy, which was discussed at the Planning and Environment |Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting on Monday June 30, will be presented to cabinet for approval on Thursday July 24.
Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways, transport and environment, said: 'The cleanliness of our streets is a high priority, as is borne out by our high ranking in a whole range of local authority clean-street surveys. We also take a proactive approach to working with partners on various intiatives.
'However even one piece of litter is one piece too many and we intend to make the borough even cleaner - making it even more appealing to residents, employees and visitors.'
Based on a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement, two newly-appointed litter enforcement officers will at first concentrate on awareness campaigns aimed at the public and shops, pubs and businesses.'
Cllr Rayner said: 'This was the same approach used with the introduction of smokefree legislation, which worked very well.'
The message to the public is that, as well as being an eyesore, littering attracts more littering, encourages vermin, and picking up litter costs money, while shops, pubs and businesses will be encouraged to take responsibility for the litter created by customers and staff. Businesses ignoring this responsibility could find themselves facing legal action.
Blitzes will take place on specific areas, especially town centres, by the officers supported by the police.
Cllr Rayner added: 'Cigarette butts and chewing gum are classified as litter and areas where smokers congregate - and drop stubs - outside buildings will be particularly targeted.
'Everybody who works and lives in the borough must take on the responsibilty of keeping the area clean and tidy. If you see someone drop litter, please ask them to pick it up and put it in a bin!'
