Date: 08/01/2009
High Peak Borough Council is introducing a series of Public Pride campaigns in 2009, to encourage people to help keep the environment clean and tidy.
The first campaign targets dog fouling, litter and fly tipping.
The Council now allows dog waste to be placed in ordinary litterbins -- greatly increasing the number of places where this waste can be disposed of and making healthier and safer public places.
There will now be a zero tolerance towards dog owners who allow their dogs to foul in public areas and do not collect and dispose of the waste appropriately.
A zero tolerance approach will also be taken towards fly tippers. The Borough is working in partnership with the County Council to reduce these incidents, partly through the use of mobile CCTV cameras that will be discretely located to detect offenders.
Zero tolerance means that fines will be issued in all but exceptional circumstances.
On the spot fines for litter and dog fouling are £50, however in serious cases of persistent offenders, a court can apply a fine of up to £1,000.
Fly tipping may be dealt with by fines, but the Council is more likely to prosecute offenders in court because of the significant impact on the environment.
A new enforcement officer will tackle dog fouling and fly-tipping offences, together with other environmental nuisances, and additional resources are being allocated to tackle litter from the "school runs".
John Haken, Executive Councillor for the Environment, said: "The vast majority of dog owners and the public behave responsibly and care about the environment. The Council is taking this approach to deal with those who show no regard for others or the environment. We hope that everyone will join in with our campaign to reduce this nuisance. Parents and carers can help us by teaching children not to drop litter."
A number of residents have reported incidents that are going to be followed up in full, as part of this campaign.