Overview

This bill introduces a fixed penalty for littering from vehicles in England and mandates the publication of local authority contracts for litter collection. It aims to tackle littering and increase transparency in local government spending.

Description

Littering from Vehicles

The bill creates a civil penalty for littering from vehicles, applying the existing offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The registered keeper of the vehicle is liable, regardless of whether they directly littered, except for certain licensed vehicles like public service vehicles and hackney carriages where the litterer is a passenger. The penalty amount and enforcement procedures will be detailed in regulations. An appeal process will be established.

Publication of Contracts

Local authorities must annually publish details of their litter collection contracts, including contractor names, payment amounts, geographical coverage, and performance data. This aims to improve transparency and accountability.

Definitions

The bill defines "responsible authority" as the authority responsible for the road where the littering occurred, and "vehicle" as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Government Spending

The bill's direct impact on government spending is uncertain. It may lead to increased administrative costs for enforcement and potential legal challenges. However, it could indirectly lead to cost savings through reduced litter clearance costs in the long run.

Groups Affected

• Registered keepers of vehicles: May face penalties for littering from their vehicles, even if they were not the litterers.
• Local authorities: Will incur costs for enforcement and increased transparency requirements. They will also potentially benefit from reduced litter collection costs.
• Litter collection contractors: Their contracts will be subject to increased public scrutiny.
• Civil enforcement officers: Will be responsible for issuing penalties.
• Adjudicators: Will hear appeals against penalties.

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