Keep Britain Tidy Network
Comment on this article
Personally I believe that the changes to S.46 notices are the correct thing to do. £100 FPN is excessive when a shoplifter can get a £80 FPN. How is a possible criminal record for leaving a bin on a street appropriate/proportional/fair? Also by it becoming civil means that the eviidence required for FPN or prosecution becomes balance of probability rather than criminal & beyond all reasonable doubt.
Section 46 is the only legislation available to local authorities to tackle issues regarding the abuse of the household waste collection services provided by the authorities. If it is taken away, we will have no legal method left to us to be able to keep the streets and alleyways clear of waste placed out at the incorrect times of the week. From our experience, householders, HMO's, students etc.. place their waste out at any time of the week as there is no consequences for doing so. It is not sustainable for the councils to clear the waste everyday. Paul Blackburn Cheshire West & Chester Council