Litter-bugs to be forced to pick up rubbish if they’re caught fly-tipping.
Waste awareness classes have also been offered for those who litter.
Waste awareness seminars, mandatory litter-picking, and covert surveillance are among the methods under consideration in the campaign to eliminate fly-tipping and litter in Coventry.
Officers are also considering stationing an enforcement officer in each of the city’s 18 council wards to provide a ‘bobby on the beat’ strategy.
Adrian Chowns, head of safer housing and communities, presented some of the ideas under consideration to Coventry City Council’s communities and neighbourhoods scrutiny board last week (October 23).
He also stated that the penalties for fly-tipping will be increased from £200 to £1,000, and those found dropping litter will be fined £500 instead of £100.
Mr Chowns stated: “We are currently reviewing the service, and the suggestion we would want to make is that it be done on a ward-by-ward basis.
There will certainly be a financial request, but we would like to have one compliance officer or environmental enforcement officer in each ward, creating a ‘bobby on the beat’ situation.
So, if there is a specific problem in that ward, that cop will address it, and citizens will ideally learn who that person is.
“We also understand the need to begin balancing education and enforcement because prevention is better than cure, therefore we hope to integrate waste education officers into the agency.
Some people who have never lived in Coventry are unsure which colour bin to use. It would also involve teaching them on the repercussions of not properly presenting such waste.
“In addition to issuing a penalty, we are considering various alternative enforcement methods.
Where it is a minor infraction, rather than fining someone £200, which they may not be able to afford, we would send them on a waste awareness course, where they would have to spend a day in the classroom.
We are also considering implementing litter-picking as a penalty – not necessarily as part of a community event, but something that we would organise and oversee.
“Finally, we will study the possibilities of covert surveillance. We know that homeowners will film someone dumping rubbish and transmit it to us, but the footage is not always valid for us to use, so we may have a man in a van driving about doing covert surveillance.”
The regulations received widespread support, with Clir Pervez Akhtar, deputy cabinet member for policing and equality, stating that fly-tipping was “filthy habit,” and a burden on taxpayers.
Clir Christine Thomas added, “I don’t believe the waste awareness course should be viewed as an option for people who are unable to pay. If they are unable to pay promptly, we should add it to their council tax.
It may sound extreme, but they shouldn’t get away with not paying; it might be paid in monthly installments.” “In addition to issuing a penalty, we are considering various alternative enforcement methods.
Where it is a minor infraction, rather than fining someone £200, which they may not be able to afford, we would send them on a waste awareness course, where they would have to spend a day in the classroom.
We are also considering implementing litter-picking as a penalty – not necessarily as part of a community event, but something that we would organise and oversee.
“Finally, we will study the possibilities of covert surveillance. We know that homeowners will film someone dumping rubbish and transmit it to us, but the footage is not always valid for us to use, so we may have a man in a van driving about doing covert surveillance.”
The regulations received widespread support, with ClIr Pervez Akhtar, deputy cabinet member for policing and equality, stating that fly-tipping
“Filthy habit” and a burden on taxpayers. Clir Christine Thomas added, “I don’t believe the waste awareness course should be viewed as an option for people who are unable to pay.
If they are unable to pay promptly, we should add it to their council tax. It may sound extreme, but they shouldn’t get away with not paying; it might be paid in monthly installments.”
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