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400 pairs of eyes now ready to keep area's streets clean
THE number of officers empowered to issue fixed penalty notices for environmental offences including littering, fly posting and dog fouling in Kirklees has been massively expanded by 500 per cent – from 64 to over 400 officers.
It follows a major survey last year which confirmed that nearly 50 per cent of residents in Kirklees believed that clean streets were a top priority in making an area a good place to live, and second only in importance to dealing with crime.
More detailed analysis also showed that cleanliness was a major driver of overall satisfaction with the area.
The project is a partnership between Kirklees Council services and West Yorkshire Police.
Joining the council's environmental services staff in issuing enforcement notices, will be West Yorkshire Police and police community support officers; Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing staff including estate management officers and caretaking supervisors; council employees from licensing, culture and leisure and highways enforcement officers.
They will record details of the offender which will be passed to environmental services who will then serve the notice. A database check will be made to identify repeat offenders against whom further action may need to be taken.
In line with other Yorkshire and Humberside authorities, there will be a discount for early payment. For example, a fine of 75 for littering will be reduced to 50 if paid early. A new informal appeals procedure will be introduced for people who believe the fixed penalty notice was unfair or incorrectly issued.
If a fine remains unpaid a prosecution will be made unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.
Last night Coun Mary Harkin, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Keeping the streets clean is very important to Kirklees residents and the newly-strengthened team of officers will be there to remind people of the need to dispose of waste responsibly.
"There is no excuse for dog fouling, fly tipping and litter dropping and the money which currently goes on clearing these up would be much better spent on essential services elsewhere."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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