Parking wardens could issue litter fines

The idea has been put forward by Councillor Keith Williams (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), who is in charge of how the town’s streets look.

He said: “It is something I’ve raised because it is an issue for the public, it’s something the public feel strongly about.

“Whether it’s discarded litter or cigarette butts or even dogs being allowed to foul on the streets.

“And it looks like something the council may be able to step forward and do something about.”

He said in places like London there was already strict enforcement of litter laws and they had seen a marked drop in the amount being discarded.

And in Swindon, after a recent crackdown on illegal parking, there has been a significant drop in the number of tickets being issued, he said.

He said car parking officers and other civil enforcement officers would be able to issue the fines as and when they see people committing an offence.

“There is one lady who cleans the streets in the town centre and does sterling work.

“But people are sometimes flicking cigarette butts down on the pavement right in front of her.

“If she’s able to issue an on-the-spot fine I can’t see anybody who would object to that.

“It’s thoughtless and it’s got to stop.”

He added: “It’s about decency and social awareness and unfortunately we are having to have a deterrent for those people who disadvantage the vast majority by their unacceptable behaviour.”

The idea was mooted at a council meeting on Thursday night.

But Coun Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park), cabinet member for highways, said he was not in favour of council officers being given more power.

He said the previous Government had introduced too many laws that gave council officers powers to snoop on people and issue fines and thought the people dropping the litter should be taught how to be more responsible.

“At the end of the day, the people who drop litter aren’t responsible and the people who allow dogs to foul on the street aren’t responsible.”