Fly-tipping in Caerphilly County Borough cost the council more than £150,000 last year – and those caught illegally dumping waste could now be ordered to meet the cost of clearing it up.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet have agreed to pursue costs against those who fly-tip on council land where they are “above the economical debt recovery threshold”.
Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Protection said: “Fly-tipping is a serious offence, which blights our communities and damages our environment.
“The council and consequently taxpayers, should not have to pick up the cost of cleaning up instances of fly-tipping in our county borough – it is a costly operation and is money that could most definitely be better spent on services elsewhere.
“We hope this new move to recover the costs of cleaning up instances of fly-tipping from the perpetrators themselves will be welcomed by our residents, as well as acting as a deterrent to the small minority of people who think they can get away with fly-tipping.
“There really is no excuse and to those who feel they are above the law, we say ‘Enough is Enough’.”
Nearly 2,000 reports of litter being dumped were made to the council last year, a reduction of 15% on the previous year’s 2,359.
Earlier this year, Caerphilly County Borough Council also increased the maximum on the spot fine that can be issued for fly-tipping offences to £400, with no early payment option.