Overview

This bill introduces a new civil penalty for littering from vehicles in England and requires local authorities to publicly disclose details of their litter collection contracts.

Description

Part 1: Littering from Vehicles establishes a civil penalty for littering from vehicles, defined as a contravention of section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The registered keeper of the vehicle is liable, regardless of whether they directly caused the littering. However, this doesn't apply to public service vehicles, hackney carriages, or licensed private hire vehicles if the litterer is a passenger. The penalty amount and enforcement procedures will be set out in future regulations, which will also include appeal rights.

Part 2: Publication of Contracts mandates that responsible authorities (those with a duty under section 89(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) publish details of their litter collection contracts annually. This includes contractor names, payment amounts, geographical coverage, and performance data.

Part 3: Miscellaneous defines "responsible authority" and sets the commencement, short title, and extent of the Act (England only).

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. It could lead to increased administrative costs for local authorities to manage the new penalties and publish contract information. It may also result in increased revenue if many penalties are issued.

Groups Affected

• Vehicle owners/registered keepers: May face financial penalties for littering from their vehicles.
• Local authorities: Responsible for enforcing the new penalties, publishing contract details, and possibly bearing increased administrative costs.
• Litter collection contractors: Their contracts will be subject to increased public scrutiny.
• The public: Will benefit from cleaner roads and increased transparency in local authority spending.

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