Fines for littering and handing over waste to “cowboy” fly-tippers in Bristol are going up to the maximum allowed by law. City council leaders approved an increase in fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for dropping rubbish from £100 to £150, with the early payment rising from £65 to £75.
They also agreed to double fines from £200 to £400 for breaches of the “household duty of care”, which requires residents to take reasonable steps to ensure waste produced at home is supplied only to someone authorised to dispose of it. Cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy Cllr Kye Dudd told a council meeting: “Part of this is sending a clear message about expected behaviour, cleaning the city and taking a robust approach to enforcement.
“Although the cleanliness of the city has improved in many parts, more work still needs to be done, particularly in relation to behaviour change.” He said the local authority had issued more than 30,000 FPNs since 2017 for environmental offences such as littering, fly-tipping or dog fouling, with 2,500 people taken to court for non-payment.
