Liverpool City Council is launching an extensive campaign to combat littering and fly-tipping across the city, backed by the introduction of a new external enforcement company. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve environmental standards and ensure a cleaner, more welcoming cityscape.
Strategic Measures to Address Environmental Offences
A detailed report scheduled for discussion at the forthcoming cabinet meeting outlines a series of significant measures aimed at tackling environmental offences. Central to these measures is the formation of a new Environment and Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce. This taskforce will unify existing enforcement teams, enabling a more coordinated and effective response to issues like littering and fly-tipping.
To enhance the effectiveness of this new taskforce, the council plans to appoint an external enforcement provider. This partnership will increase the council’s capacity to manage household and business waste more efficiently, addressing a longstanding issue that has plagued various communities.
Increased Fines for Offenders
In response to recent changes in legislation, the council intends to raise fixed penalty notices to the maximum levels allowed. The fines for fly-tipping will increase from £400 to £1,000, while penalties for littering and graffiti will rise from £150 to £500. Additionally, those who fail to meet household waste duty of care requirements will now face fines of up to £600, up from the previous £400.
These heightened penalties are designed to target the minority of residents whose actions detract from community well-being and strain waste management resources.
Substantial Investment in Enforcement
The council’s strategy is further reinforced by a £2.5 million investment approved earlier this year, earmarked for recruiting additional environmental enforcement officers over the next 12 months. This investment aims to ensure a strong and visible enforcement presence across the city, capable of addressing environmental offences effectively.
A council representative emphasised the importance of these measures, stating that the plan aims to tackle littering and fly-tipping decisively. This behaviour, characterised as both lazy and selfish, has a detrimental impact on neighbourhoods, quality of life, and public finances. The council is committed to taking action against those responsible.
Learning from Past Experiences
This new initiative follows the council’s previous partnership with a litter enforcement company, which ended in 2018 due to numerous complaints about their practices. The council aims to ensure that the new external provider operates with greater effectiveness and public acceptance.
To streamline the enforcement process, the council has established a Joint Tasking and Coordinating Group. This group, meeting weekly, includes officers from various departments such as Highways, Street Scene, Planning, Licensing & Regulatory Services, Private Sector Housing, and City Watch. Their collective efforts focus on addressing complex enforcement challenges more efficiently.
Supporting Infrastructure and Community Engagement
In addition to enforcement measures, Liverpool City Council has invested in supportive infrastructure and community engagement initiatives. In collaboration with a national environmental charity and local community groups, the council is developing an anti-litter programme aimed at fostering a cleaner city.
One notable infrastructure development is the installation of the UK’s largest network of subterranean superbins. These bins are designed to reduce bin bag-related litter in areas where wheelie bins are unsuitable. Furthermore, larger bins have been placed in many of the city’s major parks, providing residents with more convenient waste disposal options.
To aid in identifying and prosecuting offenders, the council has also invested in CCTV technology. Currently, the city handles over 1,300 fly-tipping incidents each month, with more than 85% of these being cleared within five working days.
As Liverpool City Council embarks on this ambitious campaign, it sends a clear message to those who violate environmental laws: their actions will not be tolerated. The combination of increased fines, enhanced enforcement, and community engagement underscores the council’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner and more pleasant environment for all residents.
A council spokesperson highlighted the efforts to create a streamlined approach to enforcement. Backed by more officers on the ground and supported by an external company, the highest possible fines under current legislation will be applied. The council aims to keep Liverpool tidy, and those who do not share this vision will face the consequences of their actions.
As these initiatives move forward, the residents of Liverpool can look forward to a cleaner, more vibrant city, reflecting the collective effort of the community and local government.
