Fines for fly-tipping to more rise in Walsall

Walsall Council has agreed to impose the highest possible fines after it was revealed fly-tipping and littering costs the authority up to £1 million every year.

Penalty charge notices for littering, littering from vehicles, graffiti and fly-posting will rise from the current £80 to £150. This will be discounted to £120 if paid promptly.

Fines for failing to produce a waste transfer notice will rise from £80 to £300, discounted to £250 for early payment. Household waste duty of care offences will go up to £400 – discounted penalty at £350 – while industrial and commercial waste receptacle offences will rise to £110, reduced to £90 if paid quickly. Fly-tipping already sees the maximum £400 fine imposed and this will remain the same.

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “It is appalling people think it is acceptable to commit such offences but it is not and for anyone who thinks it is, we are coming for you.”

Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, added: “The message is clear – we are not going to stand for it anymore and we are getting tougher.

“We talk about creating a safer Walsall but nothing says ‘welcome, come and commit a crime here’ than issues such as this.

“So we are increasing the fines for littering, fly-tipping and other offences to the maximum possible. We are trying to get to grips with the problem but we are taking it seriously and will come down hard on offenders.”

By Gurdip Thandi

Local Democracy Reporter