THE COUNCIL is considering charging homeowners to clean graffiti from their own buildings. 

As part of a "war on graffiti", Brighton and Hove City Council is asking residents whether they think it should be charging businesses and homeowners to clean up tagging on their buildings.

A consultation, which is open to December 15, is asking for feedback on proposals to tackle "the scourge and tagging in the city". 

Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chairwoman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “As a council we know we had got a lot of work to get our own house in order, and I make a commitment that we’ll do that.

“We’re hoping as many people as possible respond to this important consultation as we want everyone’s view on what they believe is the best way forward.

“Some of the consultation is quite controversial as we’re asking people if they think businesses, private homeowners and landlords should remove graffiti from their buildings or pay the council to do so.

“But with the vast majority of graffiti and tagging on private property that we’re not responsible for, we need people’s views on tackling this growing and unsightly problem.”

At present the council is only responsible for removing graffiti and tagging from its own buildings and other equipment it owns like bins, lamp posts and playpark equipment.

It is not responsible for removing anything on private property or land, including graffiti on company buildings or belongings, unless it’s offensive.

What is the council asking? 

Should companies like BT, Virgin Media and gas and electric providers, should clear graffiti from their own equipment like electricity/junction boxes?

Should Network Rail remove graffiti and tagging from property it owns like bridges, hoardings etc?

Should private homeowners and landlords be removing graffiti from their properties?

Should the council set up its own graffiti removal service that can charge, companies and homeowners for removing graffiti?

Cllr Pissaridou added: “We’re determined to stop graffiti and tagging in the city, so agreeing a majority way forward is extremely important. Graffiti is a terrible blight on our city and it must be erased for good.”

The consultation takes about ten minutes to complete and can be found here. 

The feedback will be considered and a final approach presented to a future meeting of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee.

More information on graffiti and tagging can be viewed here, including our Graffiti Reduction Strategy.