SOLIHULL Council only pursued enforcement action in two littering cases in the space of 12 months, a report has revealed.
The document - prepared by the borough council's environmental services manager - admitted that the local authority had switched its attention to cracking down on other environmental crimes - such as fly-tipping and fly-posting.
This meant that just a couple of cases were brought against those who dropped rubbish in 2016/17.
Officers have said they recognise they need to step up efforts and were currently looking at ways to increase enforcement, including asking the agency which currently issues penalties for parking infringements to start doling out fines for environmental crimes as well.
This model, which has already been successful in other parts of the country, would initially see operatives tackling those who litter or don't clean up after their dog.
The report into the council's littering strategy is due to be considered by the cabinet member for stronger communities and neighbourhood services tomorrow evening (Wednesday).
It also sets out proposals to trial "intelligent" litter bins - which use computer technology to let the council know when they're full - in Solihull.
The council is currently confirming details for a pilot project to introduce 50 of the receptacles in 2018/19.
The equipment would save the local authority money by meaning that they only have to visit bins when they need to be emptied, while also reducing the risk of those which are used most often overflowing.
If the pilot was successful efforts would be made to replace some of the 970 bins located around Solihull on a permanent basis.
The report argues that the borough has continued to perform well, conducting almost 70,000 litter picking operations in the course of the last financial year and receiving just four formal complaints about littering during this period.
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