A borough council is set to introduce fines in a bid to crackdown on fly tipping and littering. 

Eastleigh Borough Council's cabinet is set to approve new measures that would see fines of up to £800 for fly-tipping.

The fixed penalty notices would also see £400 fixed penalty notices for household duty of care waste offences and £300 for littering.

It comes in response to "persistent" fly tipping across the borough which the authority says is most rife in rural and secluded areas. 

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In a council report for the meeting on Monday, it says: "Fly tipping can be a significant problem to local communities and can harm the environment.

"It is a drain on council resources and undermines legitimate waste businesses, where operators undercut those that operate within the legal requirements for waste disposal.

"Fly tipping and littering cause damage to the natural environment and wildlife.

"These offences directly affect the quality of life of residents and visitors alike and impact upon the attractiveness of the borough as a place to live, work and visit."

The move follows a desire expressed by central government for authorities to take a "more robust approach" on waste crime, the report adds.

The penalty for offenders if convicted in court remains an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment.

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There would be a set period of 14 days for the fine to be paid with plans for a discount if the debt is cleared early. 

The council's cabinet is recommended to approve the new measures and delegate to the Service Director for Planning and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, to vary the level of fixed penalty notice charges during the current financial year and 2025/26.

Eastleigh Borough Council already uses CCTV and re-deployable trail cameras to investigate the ownership of vehicles seen dumping waste illegally and searches through fly tipped waste to look for evidence.

The report adds: "The introduction of a fixed penalty notice scheme for fly tipping offences is considered a necessary and proportionate response to address fly-tipping in the Borough.

"It is important that offenders receive a sanction that reflects the damage to the environment and local community and the cost to the Council in clearing the dumped waste.

"The level of fine must also act as a deterrent against future offending, both for the identified offender and, if suitably publicised, for others who may be minded to fly tip.

"In addition, consideration should be given to the deterrent effect of the amount charged, recipients’ readiness and ability to pay, and the level of fines currently imposed by the Courts."