LITTERING could be further tackled by a contractor, as BCP Council looks to reduce the offence across the conurbation.
Currently, fly tipping and fly posting in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is dealt with by a contractor.
Portfolio holder Cllr Bobbie Dove said the pilot scheme had been a “success” with only one upheld complaint against the contractor for fines related to fly tipping and fly posting.
Cllr Dove said: “We are looking to extend this to include litter enforcement given the positive outcomes that this pilot has demonstrated.
Read more: BCP Council issued zero fines for littering over a year
“I know people may consider littering as low level, low harm activities but the accumulative impact upon our environment is significant.
“One crisp packet can take up to 80 years to degrade, even longer when protected from the elements such as when they are caught under bushes or hidden in the undergrowth.
“It is clear that littering is an activity that we need to be actively discouraging and enforcing against.”
A proposal for littering offences would include a fixed penalty of £150, or £75 if paid within 14 days.
Read more: Scenes at Bournemouth beach following heatwave
In the summer the Echo revealed zero fines had been handed out in relation to littering for the year leading to June 2022.
BCP Council spends £1 million a year clearing rubbish from beaches and council cleaning teams collected 70 tonnes of rubbish during one weekend in the summer.
Cllr Judes Butt, portfolio holder for engagement, asked if the council is looking at the reason for fly tipping and suggested the cost of living and high fuel prices were factors as to why people wouldn’t drive to a tip and legally dispose of their waste.
She also pointed out that Dorset Council charges £5 to dispose of a tyre whereas BCP Council charges £9.50.
Cllr Mark Anderson said there are “very few” items charged to dispose of (including soil, rubble, asbestos, tyres, gas cylinders and fire extinguishers).
The environment portfolio holder added: “There is no compunction of people to dump stuff on the roads; it’s more people think they can get away with it. It’s not to do with charges.”
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