Council in clampdown on littering from vehicles

The Neighbourhood Services Committee has decided unanimously to take advantage of legislation that allows for fines to be issued to registered keepers of vehicles from which litter is seen to be thrown– even if someone else within the vehicle is responsible for the littering.

Councillors have also agreed that the level of Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fine should be £150, the maximum allowed under the legislation.

Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher, Chair of the Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “The Council receives around 750 complaints a year about roadside litter and collects around 200 tonnes – the equivalent of 200 households tipping out their bins onto the streets every week.

“Collecting and disposing of this litter costs the Council around £50,000 a year and this is money that could be much better used to help protect valuable frontline services which benefit the town’s residents.

Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher, Chair of Hartlepool Council's Neighbourhood Services Committee

“Roadside litter is also having a seriously detrimental impact on the town’s appearance at a time when we are carrying out major regeneration works with a view to attracting more visitors.

“Previously, it was always difficult to prove who had thrown litter from a vehicle, but the fact that we can now hold the registered keeper responsible changes things completely. The new legislation removes the need for us to identify precisely who threw the litter before action can be taken

“I hope the decision taken by the committee sends out a clear message that we are not prepared to tolerate the irresponsible actions of people who think it is alright to mess up the town.

“This also highlights the Council’s on-going commitment to ensuring that the town is as clean and tidy as possible, and that it continues to be a great place to live, work and visit.”