Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has called for ‘on-the-spot’ fines for littering to be doubled – taking the fine from £100 to £200 – to crack down on littering offences. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Littering is a huge problem across Oldham and it’s something the current Labour administration just doesn’t have a handle on – despite throwing thousands of pounds at campaigns like ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’.”

In a response to a Freedom of Information Request issued by the Liberal Democrats, Oldham Council confirmed that the number of fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for littering offences has fallen each year from 636 in 2019 to just 53 in the first half of 2022.

Councillor Sykes said, “These are shocking figures that tell their own story.  This is about getting the basics right.  We need meaningful penalties and proper enforcement.  These numbers must be an embarrassment to the Labour run council.”

According to the Policy Exchange think-tank, who have released a report on tackling littering and other environmental crimes, the government also needs to combat the problem.  Policy recommendations include higher fines, tax breaks for companies who make biodegradable alternatives to commonly littered products like chewing gum; and published league tables to name and shame underperforming councils. 

The report also suggests the introduction of a ‘littering awareness course’ for offenders – similar to the speeding awareness courses handed out for dangerous driving.

Councillor Sykes said, “I welcome the Policy Exchange report because it points to practical solutions, but I

NOTES

Policy Exchange report – Litterbugs 2.0
litterbugs.pdf (localgov.co.uk)

Response to FOI Request issued by councillor Sykes
Dear Cllr Sykes,

In response to your Freedom of Information request, we are happy to provide the following information.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Litter FPNs	486	636	194	86	53
Prosecutions	35	79	49	37	4 (up to end May )