Now you could be fined for your rubbish!

11.00.00am GMT Thu 28th Aug 2008

Cotswold District Council will be introducing fines for waste offences later this year, it was confirmed today. Liberal Democrats on CDC have received written confirmation that a new system of Fixed Penalty Notices will be launched soon. The fines won't even be discussed by councillors as CDC's Cabinet unanimously approved the system back in January 2007.

As a result of questions raised by Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Shadow Environment Spokesman, he's today revealed that CDC's administration will be adopting a policy of 'zero tolerance' on certain waste 'crimes'. New fines will include £100 for leaving a wheelie bin on the street 24 hours after collection day and putting bins out too early.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (Churn Valley) said, "Whilst I very much welcome the high recycling rates which people in the Cotswolds are achieving, what we're seeing here again is Big Bin Brother in action. First, we had the bin inspectors, then microchips in everyone's bins. Now, we've got crazy fines and threats. There's no need to take this heavy-handed approach when education and persuasion are much better tactics to use."

Cllr Hodgkinson believes a 'carrot' rather than 'stick' policy is the best way of encouraging people to recycle and deal with their waste: "It's frankly ridiculous when a shoplifter is given an £80 fine whilst leaving your bin out for a day will cost you £100! Why do CDC's Cabinet members think that putting your bin out a bit early is a greater offence than stealing from a shop? It is fundamentally unfair that householders could get hammered with these fines in yet another money raising initiative."