Recent highlights
A person who allowed their dog to foul in a designated no fouling area recently refused to pay the £50 fixed penalty. At their appearance in court they were ordered to pay £25!
What message is this sending out?
Magistrates, when sentencing, have to take into account the defendant's means to pay. This principle is an issue to local authorities. In this case the Magistrates perhaps went a little too far.
If you get a fixed penalty notice, no matter what it is for, motoring, dog fouling or now fly tipping and you refuse to pay, you will be summoned to attend court. Normal practice, if you are found guilty, is to be given a fine of at the very least the value of the fixed penalty plus court costs and sometimes more.
Magistrates across the region are being made aware of how their present sentencing is being perceived and the feelings of the local authority enforcement staff. This project is working towards joined-up enforcement where all agencies know and respect the expectations of the others.