Council welcomes new environmental powers

1.54.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 22nd Sep 2007

Council gets new powers to combat flyposting, litter, abandoned vehicles and other nuisances.

All the powers come into effect on Wednesday 19 September, except where stated, and are contained in the London Local Authorities Act 2007, which was steered through Parliament by London Councils on behalf of all the capital's local authorities. The Act will strengthen the Council's hand in dealing with a range of environmental problems and provide a tougher deterrent for many offences. For example, there will be heftier fines for repeat flyposting. Third offences will attract fines of up to £20,000 instead of the current maximum of £2,500. The Act enables Councils to force owners or occupiers to take action to stop people persistently flyposting on their buildings. Councils will also have the power to carry out any necessary work to remove the unsightly posters and to recoup the costs from the property owner or occupier. (These provisions will only come into force once a Code of Practice has been developed and agreed by London Councils and are unlikely to come into effect until next June). The Act also allows Councils to set standard regulations for householders and businesses about rubbish collection, including where to place bins and what to put into different recycling containers. Penalty fines can be imposed for misusing bins or placing the wrong kind of waste in them. However, enforcement cannot begin until the scale of fines has been agreed, likely to be by next June.

Throwing litter from a vehicle will also be subject to a penalty charge notice.

Tougher action against illegal street trading is also provided for under the legislation, which for the first time allows Council officers to seize perishable items from rogue traders. Firmer action to get rid of abandoned cars is also among the key provisions of the Act. In some circumstances Councils will no longer have to give notice to occupiers that they intend to remove abandoned vehicles from their land, saving time and money. There will also be stricter rules on reclaiming vehicles.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "Richmond Council is doing everything it can to combat environmental nuisances and these powers are an important new weapon in the fight against this blight. For example, illegal flyposting disfigures streets and we welcome the powers to clamp down on this and a range of other problems. They will not only strengthen our ability to deal with such eyesores but also provide a greater deterrent through stiffer fines."     

A guide to some of the most important provisions in the new Act can be found at www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/llaact