main content Litter fines help clean up Penge

Penge streets are becoming cleaner following a successful trial of the fixed penalty notice scheme. The pilot scheme uses recent legislation and is a response to traders and residents concerns over the amount of rubbish and litter in the area. The initiative has already changed behaviour and only three fines have needed to be issued so far. Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, the Council can issue a £70 fine to anyone causing harm to the environment through acts of anti-social behaviour, such as fly tipping.

“The law now allows us to issue fixed penalty notices as an alternative to taking offenders to court. But, this is a last resort. Ultimately, we want to encourage people to get rid of their waste legally. For residents, this means placing rubbish out for collection only on the agreed day. Businesses need to ensure they have their own waste collection arrangements in place. If you are unsure about how to get rid of your waste, please contact us for advice” said Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment and Leisure.

Prior to the introduction of the pilot scheme, Street Services enforcement officers visited local businesses and residents to raise awareness of waste issues and how this impacts on street cleanliness. Staff were also on hand to give advice on waste disposal and answer questions on fixed penalty notices during a one day event held at the Council’s information trailer near Penge High Street.

The publicity prompted businesses to check that they had trade waste agreements in place. Some traders had assumed the Council would automatically collect their waste, wrongly believing the cost of this service was included in their business rates. Consequently, around two dozen traders made new agreements with the Council for regular waste collections.

The scheme has targeted specific areas with previously known rubbish and litter problems. One area in particular, Southey Street - visited by Enforcement Officers soon after the start of the scheme - showed a marked improvement. Only a few bags of rubbish had now been left on the pavement - next to a “No Dumping” sign! Examination of the contents of these bags led to further investigations, resulting in a local business and two residents each receiving a £70 fine for fly tipping. Other areas within the pilot are now being targeted.

Fixed penalty notices can be issued to businesses and residents for a range of rubbish and litter related offences - including leaving rubbish sacks or dustbins on the pavement for collection, dropping cigarette ends or chewing gum on the pavement, fly tipping rubbish in a public place or dumping household or trade waste in a public litter bin.

Fines can be avoided by making sure that rubbish is securely and suitably contained within the boundary of the householder’s property or business premises. Rubbish should not be left on the pavement for collection - unless special dispensation has been given by the Council - but must be placed within arm’s reach of the pavement by 7a.m. on the usual refuse collection day.

Household waste can be disposed of by residents, free of charge, if taken to one of the borough’s Reuse and Recycling Centres at Waldo Road, Bromley or Churchfields Road, Beckenham. If residents do not dispose of the waste themselves, they should ensure that the waste is only disposed of by a licensed waste carrier. Otherwise, they risk prosecution if their waste is found to be fly tipped.

The Council operates a chargeable bulky waste collection service for residents who are unable to visit one of the centres,. For details of this service, or for advice on household and green garden waste or recycling, call the Customer Service Centre on 020 8313 4557.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• A Fixed Penalty Notice trial began on 8th May 2006 in the Penge town centre area. 
• Under current DEFRA guidelines, all income generated from the Fixed Penalty Notice scheme must be ring-fenced and used for enforcement initiatives. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901.