Concerns have been raised fly-tipping in Nottingham is getting “out of control” as dozens of people are due to be taken to court for refusing to pay fines.
Nottingham City Council says so far this year, 56 fines of £300 have been issued to people in the city for illegal tipping.
But only 19 of these have paid the fines, with seven cancelled and the rest – 30 people – due to be taken to court.
The council is now considering other measures to try to deal with the problem, including making some offenders clean up after themselves.
It comes after concerns were raised the issue is getting worse in some areas. Councillor Kirsty Jones (Nottingham Ind), who represents Clifton East, said many residents are “beginning to feel disheartened about the whole situation”.
During a City Council meeting on September 13, she said: “While we applaud the work that the City’s tireless cleansing teams and the volunteer clean champions do in trying to keep Nottingham looking its best, it seems that rubbish and fly-tipping especially are out of control.
“As Nottingham Clean Champions ourselves, I am sad to say that many are beginning to feel disheartened about the whole situation.
“While we recognise the increase in prosecutions for fly-tipping, this just goes to show that offences are increasing at a time when resources are steadily decreasing.
“The reductions in numbers of frontline Community Protection Officers is a particular concern in this area. Can the Portfolio Holder reassure us that actions are being taken not just to prosecute offenders, but also to prevent these offences from happening in the first place?”
Councillor Rosemary Healy (Lab), Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Cleansing Services, said that in some areas, the council will look at “implementing design changes” to restrict fly-tipping hot spots.
She said: “So far this year, CPOs have issued 56 £300 fly-tipping fines and will continue to use the higher tariff fines where appropriate. We always promote these fines on our social media channels to make sure the wider public are aware of our actions and potential offenders know what the consequences are.
“We are currently looking at restorative practice as well as fiscal fines and making offenders clean up their rubbish will be more of a deterrent than a fine to some.
“We appreciate that these actions will not resolve the current fly-tipping concerns immediately but it is hoped that in time these actions will start to reduce fly-tipping and improve the cleanliness of the city.”
