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Littering fines fall by 90% as result of Covid pandemic

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date03 June 2021
Date03 June 2021
Figures obtained by a Freedom of Information Act Request show that in the financial year 2019/20, 510 fines for littering, worth a total of £38,250, were issued in the borough. But last financial year this fell dramatically by 90% to 52 fines, worth £3,900 collectively. Responding to the figures Liberal

Democrat leader Coun Jonathan Wallace claimed the Labour dominated council had "taken its eye off the ball in terms of street cleaning".

He said: "There is a significant problem with fly-tipping and litter in Saltwell and serious concern in the whole of the borough. More action needs to be taken to ensure the streets are clean - more action needs to be taken to tackle fly-tipping, littering, and dog fouling. We have in previous years called for more resources to keep the streets clean but its fallen largely on deaf ears. Labour has taken its eye off the ball in terms of street cleaning."

Coun John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Transport and Economy said that shrinking resources and the coronavirus crisis caused enforcement action to drop. He said: "2020/21 was an extremely challenging year for local authorities across the UK and Gateshead Council was no exception. With budgets tight we have had to pool our resources, respond to new problems, as well as plan for recovery. Responding to the pandemic remains the council's priority. Our enforcement team have been redeployed to support with the ongoing Covid-19 effort, helping to ensure...

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