READING Borough Council has announced a new team is set to tackle trash as part of a “major crackdown” on littering.
From Monday (September 15), a team of five environmental enforcement officers will be walking the streets of Reading.
The team will focus on the town centre and hot spots around Reading where littering and fly-tipping are most prevalent, including issuing fixed penalty notices (FPN’s) where necessary.
It will initially be in operation on weekdays, but will rise to every day, including publich holidays.
It comes in response to the Council’s annual residents’ survey which once again confirmed that litter was one of the top issues residents wanted to see tackled.
Cleaning up after people who do not properly dispose of their rubbish and litter not only costs the local council tax payer a significant amount of money, but their actions impact on everyone’s quality of life.
The initiative is the result of a new partnership with private company Kingdom Local Authority Support on a one-year trial basis.
It comes at no cost to the Council, with the company’s contract paid via a proportion of fixed penalty notices collected.
Under the agreement, however, the council reserves the right to be able to review individual cases where necessary.
The scheme aims to significantly strengthen the work the Council already carries out on tackling environmental offences.
Limited resources, however, mean it cannot offer the same level of ‘on street’ enforcement that would be possible by working with an external partner.
The partnership also allows the Council’s existing Recycling and Enforcement Team to focus more on in-depth investigations around dumped fly-tipped rubbish, target pro-active prevention projects and engage with residents to help drive up even higher recycling rates around the borough.
As part of its revamped approach to cleaning up Reading, new fine levels came into effect in April this year for a range of offences.
This means that now the maximum FPN for littering or graffiti is £500 (from £80), fly-tipping £1,000 (from £400), and the incorrect disposal of household waste £600 (from £400).
Reading’s fees had previously not been raised for years and the new fees were agreed in line with Governmental recommended maximum penalties.
Whilst early payment options are significantly less, the hope is that this early payment route will encourage offenders to own up and reflect on their actions in future.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “This is a bold new Council initiative in direct response to public feedback that residents are sick and tired of the minority who spoil Reading for the majority of people who live in and take pride in our town, doing the right thing with their litter and bulky waste day in and day out.
“The Council annually receives a myriad of complaints about littering and fly tipping from our law-abiding residents.
“Whilst we work continually to tackle these issues, the onus is on all residents to take responsibility for their own actions and not drop litter or dump rubbish.
“This includes cigarette butts, which are made of microplastics which pollute the environment and can take years to break down. It also includes fast food wrappings, crisp packets, sweet wrappers and sandwich boxes.
She explained: “We each have a responsibility, even in our fast-paced lives, to deal with our litter and rubbish correctly.
“I hope that this will be a really positive step for Reading and for residents who aspire to live in a cleaner, tidier town. The only people who need be concerned about this change are those who lack respect for our town and drop their litter or fail to correctly dispose of bulky waste.
“Alongside our record investment in road repairs across Reading, this Council will continue to respond to the concerns residents tell us matter to them the most.
“Tough action on fly-tipping and littering falls into that category and I am pleased to welcome additional enforcement to remind those that need to be reminded that Reading is a united community that takes pride in our town.”
John Roberts, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom LAS, said: “We are pleased to be working with Reading Borough Council to support their efforts in tackling littering and fly-tipping across the area.
“Littering and fly-tipping are becoming more common across England, and our team will help to provide a stronger, robust presence in the community, helping to tackle the issue through education and enforcement.”
