Wokingham

Officers from Wokingham District Council’s waste services team are set to gain new powers to help keep the Wokingham district clean and free of fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles. On Thursday March 30 the council’s decision making executive will consider adopting new powers offered by the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (CNEA).

If approved, the proposals prompted by the CNEA will give Wokingham officers increased powers to:

* Take action against individuals placing vehicles for sale on the public highway, certain untaxed vehicles and abandoned vehicles

* Give fixed penalty notices for offences such as graffiting, abandoning of vehicles and fly-tipping

* Issue street litter control notices for litter and refuse to individuals or businesses creating litter problems under certain circumstances.

The CNEA also makes provision for councils to keep the receipts from fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping and other waste offences.

Should the above powers be taken on, the use of them will depend upon receipt of further guidance from DEFRA which may not be issued until late Spring/early Summer and therefore there will be a short delay before they become effective.

The Wokingham waste services budget currently includes £6,000 for the pursuit of fly-tipping enforcement cases and, if the new powers are agreed, it is proposed that this money is also used to pursue any unpaid fly-tipping fixed penalty notices. The ability to keep receipts from paid notices will also contribute to this budget.

Wokingham Team leader for waste services Yvonne Dawson said: “If agreed, the proposals will give us means to improve the appearance and environmental quality of the district. Use of the newly available powers and duties will provide an improved service to residents where the Council has been unable to take action previously.”

Wokingham District Council