We're committed to tackling fly-tipping
I refer to your article in the Express & Star 12.10.17 – ‘Only two councils use strict new powers’. It referred to a number of councils, including South Staffordshire Council, not using the new Fixed Penalty Notice fine introduced in May 2016. The article misses the point namely that South Staffordshire has used far stronger powers to deal with fly-tipping than the fixed penalty fine. The fine is only one of a number of tools for tackling fly-tipping.
The maximum that can be fined under the new rules is £400. However since May 2016 we have prosecuted nine people for offences relating to fly-tipping and received nine convictions, the average amount awarded by the Court has been well in excess of £1,000. The amount able to be fined by the Courts is unlimited as opposed to the £400 maximum which in most cases does not even cover the costs of clearing the rubbish away. That is why we have prosecuted rather than using fixed penalty notices.
The article gave the impression that South Staffordshire Council is soft on fly-tipping. That is wholly incorrect. We have had the highest number of convictions for fly-tipping for any district council across the West Midlands in 2015/16 (the latest year for which comparison figures are available).
We carry out a number of pro-active operations with the police and other organisations to tackle fly-tipping and have also put in place a number of other measures, such as orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour legislation, to tackle this blight on our beautiful countryside.
As a council, we are committed to taking firm action against anyone fly-tipping in South Staffordshire.
Roger Lees
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services
South Staffordshire Council
