Fly-tipping in Westminster is a growing problem.  It is a blight on our streets and environment and it negatively affects how people feel about where they live.

Westminster Labour is calling on the Government to increase the Council’s powers to take strong action against those responsible for dumping rubbish on our streets.

In 2016, the Government gave Local Authorities the power to issue fines of up to £400 for those responsible for fly tipping.  But the current £400 fines barely cover the costs of clean up; do not cover the cost of Enforcement Teams; are less than the cost of a skip and do not provide sufficient disincentive to offenders. Fly-tipping has risen by almost 40% since 2012 – according to LGA figures.

We believe that the Government should:

• Increase the fines the Council can levy to £2,000
• Make it compulsory that the Council is reimbursed for the costs of clearing fly-tipping in addition to legal costs from fines issued in court.

In addition, Labour is calling on the Council to learn from what other Councils are doing to tackle fly-tipping. For example, Haringey has launched a ‘Wall of Shame’ on its website to identify the worst offenders and dissuade others from fly-tipping https://www.haringey.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/street-cleansing/fly-tipping/fly-tipping-help-us-catch-those-illegally-dumping-rubbish

Haringey Council has issued 250 fines in the last 6 months.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour’s City Management spokesperson, said:

“The increase in fly-tipping is a stain on Westminster’s environment and needs to be tackled by tough action. Westminster should have a zero tolerance of fly tipping and an increase in fines would send a strong message to all those who think they can get away with such anti-social behaviour.’