£75 fine for littering and graffiti in Basildon hotspots (From Echo)

£75 fine for littering and graffiti in Basildon hotspots

6:40pm Tuesday 21st October 2008 in News By Victoria Owen

NEW powers to stamp out littering and grafitti in five hotspots have been brought in by Basildon Council.

The authority now has the power to issue on-the-spot £75 fines to people caught littering, spraying graffiti or allowing their dogs to foul on the pavement.

The five litter zones have been identified as Billericay and Wickford high streets, Felmores shops in Basildon, the Craylands Estate and Basildon town centre.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: “The problems we aim to address are things that detract from residents’ quality of life.

“We must make sure people are fined. If people are made an example of, others will realise the consequences of their actions and that they’re not going to get away with it.”

But Lynda Gordon, Labour group leader, expressed concern the cost of removing graffiti from private property falls with the owner.

She said: “Victims in this have to pay for the privilege of being a victim.

“People might think perhaps the council should be a bit more benevolent and step in to help in some way.”

She also questioned some of the choices for the litter zones.

She said: “Some of the Pitsea estates have a tremendous problem.

“I’m shocked at the state of them.

“These areas need more attention than those highlighted in the report.”

The new scheme will also see the council imposing dog control orders across the whole district, with particular focus on common land and parks.

Initially the orders will address dog fouling, but may later extend to general dog control.

Terri Sargent, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Now the council has formally taken on these powers, the threat of enforcement action will be introduced gradually over the coming months.”

The proposals were passed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet.