Archived press release

Date Published: 06/09/06

New powers will soon be introduced to help AVDC tackle a wide range of nuisance and environmental crime in the district. At a meeting of the council’s cabinet last night (5 September), members agreed measures that will take advantage of new...

New powers will soon be introduced to help AVDC tackle a wide range of nuisance and environmental crime in the district.

At a meeting of the council’s cabinet last night (5 September), members agreed measures that will take advantage of new legislation that gives the council powers to crackdown on litter dropping, dog fouling and abandoned cars.

The powers, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, will also enable the council to deal with other issues such as graffiti, fly-posting and nuisance parking.

The council will be able to issue fines in the form of fixed penalty notices of up to £75 for dropping litter, graffiti offences and fly-posting, up to £100 for nuisance parking, and up to £200 for abandoning a vehicle. In addition, those found guilty of allowing their dogs to dirty a public space will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75.

A wide range of council officers and contractors will receive extensive training and be given responsibility to issue fixed penalty notices. The council also aims to give these powers to the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in the district. It is anticipated that the council would jointly fund, with Thames Valley Police, two new PCSOs for Aylesbury to help enforce the legislation.

The new legislation also allows for fixed penalty notices to be issued by town and parish councils for litter, fly-posting, graffiti and dog fouling. A number of town and parish councils have indicated that they will or are likely to adopt the new powers.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Health, said: “Anti-social behaviour such as littering, dog fouling and abandoned vehicles costs taxpayers thousands of pounds each year. These new powers will help clamp down on those responsible, reducing the cost of cleaning up after culprits while creating a better environment for everyone.”

Councillor Edmonds continued: “The council is putting considerable resources into improving Aylesbury Vale and we want to ensure that this hard work is not spoiled by a few people dropping litter or committing acts of vandalism. Offenders will be fined, so think very carefully before you drop litter, ignore your dog’s mess or consider putting fly-posters up.”

The council will now produce and consult on an enforcement strategy linked to the use of fixed penalty notices and will be working closely with town and parish councils and the police. The cabinet has called for a review of the arrangements in six months time.