Coucil Urged to Clean up Their Act with New Powers

Date published: 30/03/2006

Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, today launched a nationwide clampdown on litter as part of a package of new powers for local authorities. New measures under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which come into force next week, will see all local authorities better equipped to combat litter in terms of both prevention and penalties.

As well as the power to increase fines from £50 to £80, from next week local authorities can also:

* require occupiers to clear their land of litter;
* stop people handing out flyers and leaflets in designated areas; and
* fine shops selling take-away food if they refuse to clear up litter outside their premises

Councils will also have powers to silence burglar alarms within 20 minutes and put in place new dog control orders, such as restrictions on the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at one time.

More effective powers to deal with problem alleyways were also announced by the Home Office.

Mrs Beckett, as well as Defra Ministers Elliot Morley, Jim Knight and Ben Bradshaw, are all on regional visits in the next two days to see how the  powers will be used on the ground.

Mrs Beckett, who has written to all local authorities to urge them to use their new powers, said the Act demonstrated a Government-wide commitment to improving local environment quality - and that now was the time for similar commitment from local authorities, "People want clean, safe and quiet neighbourhoods. As such, their view of how well their local council is performing is strongly influenced by how effectively it manages the local environment. That's why local authorities asked for new powers to help them improve their neighbourhoods and punish offenders. And that's why Government has delivered the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.  Therefore, in the coming 12 months we will expect to see a concerted effort by all councils to use their new powers easily, extensively and effectively."

Some of the powers relate to increased flexibility in the fining system: previous legislation had given local authorities the power to fine £50 for littering, dog fouling, graffiti and fly-posting. Under the Act, councils can set the rate for these four offences at anywhere between £50 and £80, and offer discounts for early payment.

Given this increased flexibility, as well as on-the-spot fines now being offered for a variety of other enviro-crimes, plus the fact that councils have asked for such powers, Mrs Beckett said there would be 'no excuses' for inaction, "We want to see councils making more use of these fines, and where they are issued we want councils to ensure they are paid. We will therefore be very closely monitoring how the Act is being delivered on the ground. We will also be working with the poor performers to bring their performance - and in turn the quality of the local environment - up with the best."

This year, Defra will begin its most detailed ever survey of local environment quality which will be used to set new, challenging standards and target poor performers.

In a recent survey by the British Cleaning Council, 93% of people in North West said they thought 'Britain's streets were dirty'.