COUNCIL leaders have welcomed the government’s announcement to increase the maximum fine for littering.
From April 2018, the government plans to allow councils to fine those caught littering a maximum of £150. The government also announced that for the first time, drivers will be responsible for any litter thrown from their cars.
As part of the council’s clean it, cut it, fill it initiative, Thurrock Council has taken a tougher stance on littering in the borough and at the Cabinet meeting in June 2017, it was agreed that fines can be increased in line with nationally-set maximum amounts.
Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of the Council, said: “I whole-heartedly welcome this announcement from the government.
“I have long said that those caught spoiling the borough should feel the full force of the law, and that’s what we intend to do.
“This is the first of what will be many warnings to litter louts in Thurrock – once this change has been brought in, we will be increasing the fine in line with the maximum amount allowed.”
Cllr Aaron Watkins, Portfolio Holder for Environment, also welcomed the news. He said: “Through clean it, cut it, fill it, we have seen an increase in the number of litter picking rounds across the borough – which has made a real difference to the appearance of our streets.
“We also gave renewed importance to the ‘major routes’ clean up team because we recognised litter on the roadside is a problem. Every Monday, they clean up 20-25 bags of rubbish from areas around Lakeside. Much of this rubbish will have been thrown from cars, so we welcome these additional powers to fine drivers for litter thrown from their vehicle.”
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