Council plans £400 fine for fly tippers

SICK AND TYRED OF IT: In recent months fly tipping has been reported
behind the Marston Green Tavern and in Lanchester Way, Smith's Wood

SOLIHULL Council is set to impose the highest fines available under new powers designed to deter fly tipping.
Changes to the law, which came into force earlier this year, mean that local authorities can now hand out fixed penalty notices to those who have dumped rubbish.
Under previous rules, the only options open to councils were to give culprits a formal caution or start proceedings to take the individual to court.
Now however, they will be able to issue the fines of between £150 and £400, in a similar fashion to the penalties already handed out for littering and dog fouling.
On Wednesday this week, the cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships will approve the level of fine which will be issued in the borough and it has been indicated that the heaviest sum available will be imposed on those caught.
Nigel Abbotts, a Solihull Council officer who prepared a report on the options available, said: "Fly tipping is a serious environmental crime, impacting on our local and wider communities and environment.
"Therefore, it is believed that the highest level fine of £400 is an appropriate and sufficient penalty to make it clear that an offence has been committed and also to act as a deterrent against further offending."
The penalty notice will be reduced to £300 for those who pay within ten working days.