Overview

This bill introduces a civil penalty for littering from vehicles in England and mandates the publication of local authority contracts for litter collection services. It aims to improve street cleanliness and increase transparency in local government contracting.

Description

Part 1: Littering from Vehicles establishes a civil penalty for littering from vehicles, defined as violating section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The registered keeper of the vehicle is responsible, except in cases involving public service vehicles, hackney carriages, and licensed private hire vehicles where the litterer is a passenger. The penalty amount and enforcement procedures will be detailed in regulations, including provisions for appeals. The registered keeper, as defined by the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, will be identified. Civil enforcement officers, employed either directly by the responsible authority or through contracted personnel, will issue penalties.

Part 2: Publication of Contracts requires responsible authorities (those with duties under section 89(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) to annually publish details of their litter collection contracts, including contractor names, payments, geographical coverage, and performance data.

Part 3: Miscellaneous defines "responsible authority" and sets the commencement date as Royal Assent, with the bill applying only to England.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. However, there may be increased costs associated with regulation development, enforcement, and potentially dispute resolution related to the civil penalties. Conversely, there may be cost savings if the initiative reduces litter cleanup expenses.

Groups Affected

• Drivers and Vehicle Owners: Risk facing civil penalties for littering from their vehicles.
• Local Authorities: Responsible for enforcing the new penalties and publishing contract information, potentially incurring administrative costs.
• Litter Collection Contractors: Increased transparency through the mandatory publication of contract details.
• Civil Enforcement Officers: Involved in issuing and processing penalties.
• The Public: May benefit from cleaner streets.

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