On-the-spot fines for Spalding fly-tippers

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Spalding litter louts could face on the spot fines under new powers handed to South Holland District Council officers.

The council's cabinet approved recommendations put forward in a report by the Policy Development Panel's street scene task group to allow community and neighbourhood services officers working in an enforcement role to deal with incidents of littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling.

The report found that such incidents in Spalding and across South Holland were going largely unpunished as the council had not issued any fixed penalty notices to those who persistently offended.

Coun Graham Dark, who led the task group, said: "There are areas in South Holland where even after warnings there are repeated fly-tippings on public property.

"We are looking to get into a position where officers can go there and deal with these incidents if warnings are not heeded."

The council is also looking to use Spalding Police's CCTV system to identify incidents of environmental crime.

Coun Howard Johnson said: "At the moment what the officers can do when they see someone throwing litter away or allowing dog fouling is ask for a person's name and address, but they have no powers further than that."