Flytipping, litter and graffiti fines to increase

People in Canterbury district who flytip, drop litter, spray graffiti or who fail to hand their household waste over to an authorised person when disposing of it will be hit with bigger fines from the start of next year.

The city council’s Cabinet approved new, higher fines at its meeting on Monday 4 December. These will come into effect on Monday 1 January 2024.

Fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering and graffiti rise from £150 to £200, with an early payment reduction to £100 if paid within 14 days.

Flytipping offences will attract a FPN of £1,000, up from £400. The current ability to settle a fine promptly for a lesser amount of £300 has been removed.

And people whose household waste ends up being flytipped having given it to someone for disposal without first checking they are licensed to do so – known as ‘household waste duty of care’ – will face a fine of £500. Early payment would see this drop to £300.

The new FPN amounts have been set following the release of government legislation earlier this year that allowed councils to set higher fines in the fight against waste crime.

The city council has chosen the highest amount possible for flytipping offences, but not the maximum allowed for littering and graffiti (maximum is £500) and duty of care (maximum is £600).

Cabinet member for enforcement, Cllr Connie Nolan, said: “These are all offences for which there simply is no excuse, and following careful consideration of the government’s legislation, we have settled on increased amounts for fines that we believe are appropriate and proportionate.

“We have a very proactive enforcement operation and will always look to take action when people flytip, litter, graffiti or try and get rubbish disposal on the cheap, only for it to be dumped in a beautiful country lane.

“If you don’t want to pay a fine, don’t commit the crime.”

Published: 21 December 2023