BIGGER fines and new powers which will help Barnsley Council clamp down on environmental crime are set to be approved next week.
Following government changes imposed on April 1, the council’s Safer Neighbourhood Service (SNS) team has to amend its outdated environmental enforcement policy.
The council has the power to take enforcement action against people committing a variety of ‘environment-based’ crimes such as littering, dog fouling, abandoning vehicles, off-road bikes, fly-tipping, fly-posting, graffiti, litter and noise.
Anyone caught flouting environmental rules will face harsher fixed-penalty notices which have been hiked up to £100, while vehicle abandonment will result in a £200 fine.
Although subject to annual review, cabinet members are set to agree with the recommendations of a report on Wednesday, which outlines the powers available to the SNS for the next three years.
A report said: “Fixed penalty notice levels need to reflect changes in government guidelines. Environmental crime will not be tolerated and the council will endeavour to act quickly, fairly and proportionately to minimise the impact on victims, the environment and communities.”
