Litter Force looks Set To Continue

Communications

Litter bugs in Exeter will continue to receive on the spot fines for dropping litter, cigarette butts and chewing gum if funding is allowed to continue for three litter enforcement officers (LEOs).

Members of the City Council's Scrutiny Community committee will discuss on Tuesday (27 February) whether it supports the proposal to extend the LEOs contracts by a further 12 months beyond July.

Since they were introduced last year, they have handed out more than 300 £75 fixed penalty notices to people who have dropped litter.

If they are allowed to continue, they will also be playing a part in educating people about the new smoking legislation. From 1 July it will be an offence to smoke in public enclosed spaces, and the LEOs will be visiting businesses to promote the message and help companies and organisations get ready for the new law.

The posts are largely self-funding from the money generated from the fines and a £30,000 contribution from the Department of Health. The small shortfall is made up by the City Council, which spends £1 million a year on street cleansing.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which came into force last April, gave local authorities extra powers to combat litter in terms of prevention and penalties.

Councillor Pete Edwards, Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure, said: "The Litter Enforcement Officers have been well received by the vast majority of people in Exeter. Most of those who have received fixed penalty tickets have paid up soon afterwards.

"This sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate people who wilfully drop litter. When we employed the LEOs we were taking on people's concerns because we don't want people to spoil the environment for everyone else. One of the most common complaints we get as councillors is about litter."

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