Fines for Teignbridge fly-tippers

Teignbridge has introduced new on-the-spot fines of £400 to reduce fly-tipping offences in the district.

The new get-tough powers to issue fixed penalty notices for small-scale fly-tipping offences by an individual or companies came into force following a delegated decision by Teignbridge’s Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing Cllr Sylvia Russell.

Teignbridge has seized the opportunity to take advantage of the law changes that make it easier to take action against offenders.
It means that anyone caught fly-tipping may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £400.

Teignbridge has long taken a tough approach to fly-tippers, using existing powers to prosecute offenders and encouraging people to report it through their website www.teignbridge.gov.uk/graffitiandflytiping or the free environmental hotline on 0800 328 6402.

The authority would encourage anyone who sees fly-tipping to report the matter, along with as much information as possible, to help track down and take action against offenders.

The new measures have been granted to local authorities under the Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalties) Regulations 2016. It allows councils to take swift action against offenders and removes the burden of taking a small matter to court – something that can ultimately cost more public money in time and resources.

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive member for Health and Wellbeing which includes Environmental Protection, said:

“I am delighted to endorse this decision. It shows Teignbridge is getting even more serious about tackling the menace of fly-tipping. On-the-spot fines will be very effective as part of our ongoing work to crackdown on criminals who expect local taxpayers to foot the bill for clearing up the waste they abandon.

“Fly tipping is a serious problem. It is anti social, criminal and costs local authorities and private land owners to properly remove and dispose of fly tipped waste. By setting the fixed penalty at £400 this will send a clear message that Teignbridge will not tolerate such activity in its district.”