LITTERBUGS will not be issued with the maximum possible fine.

On Sunday, central Government relaxed rules governing on-the-spot fines given by councils for littering.

The limit of £80 was increased to £150 but Brighton and Hove City Council told The Argus yesterday it had no plans to take up the option.

Friends of Queen’s Park volunteer Chris Lowe, who often takes part in litter picks with his fellow volunteers, said: “I think it’s about right where it is.

“I don’t think it would be made more effective by that amount of increase.”

But Conservative group leader Tony Janio said: “The council really should look at increasing the fines where it’s creating the biggest misery around town, especially flytipping.”

Green leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said his group was in favour of the “polluter pays” principle but had concerns over the management of litter enforcement in the city.

In Brighton and Hove littering enforcement is subcontracted to private firm 3GS.

Two thirds of the value of the fines is kept by the company to pay staff and make profit, and one third goes to the council.

On Monday James O’Connell, chief executive of the taxpayers’ alliance, told a national newspaper: “Councils should leap at this opportunity and renegotiate these contracts.

“If 3GS can make a profit keeping 100 per cent of an £80 fine, they should be perfectly happy with 50 per cent of a £150 fine. That would mean more money for cash-strapped councils at a time when every penny counts.”

Announcing the change to national policy, Environment Minister Therese Coffey said: “Littering is a scourge on our environment and we waste taxpayers’ money cleaning it up – funds which could be better spent in the community.

The Local Government Association’s environment spokesman Martin Tett said: “Councils being able to issue increased fines to litter louts will send a strong message to those who think their laziness is more important than the environment in which they live.”

The new rules also allow councils to fine the owners of vehicles if litter is dropped from the car. Previously it was hard to levy fines when the perpetrator was not known.

Cllr Tutt added: “Allowing councils to fine the owners of vehicles which litter is thrown from, rather than expecting councils to prove who exactly in the vehicle had thrown litter, is also something that the LGA has long called for.”

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We have no plans to increase fines from their current level. While there is no doubt that fines are a useful deterrent, we need to look carefully at how any increases would work as part of our citywide campaign to tackle littering in the city.

“Rather than simply alienating the public, it is important we work with residents and visitors to tackle littering.”

A petition has been launched complaining about reported heavy-handed tactics by 3GS staff.

PETITION OVER ENFORCEMENT FIRM

Private littering enforcement company 3GS has faced criticism from residents over its tactics.

Some have alleged staff deliberately target smokers.

Others others have said fines have been imposed for leaving a single piece of commercial cardboard in a domestic bin.

The company and council have said staff have acted appropriately.

More than 500 people have signed a petition asking the council to pull the contract, citing examples of “heavy handed enforcement”.

To read or sign the peition go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/brighton-hove-council-to-terminate-3gs-private-waste-enforcement-contract