Fly-tipping fines of £1,000 agreed in Barnsley

Under new government legislation, those caught dumping waste can be fined up to £1,000 – which will implemented by BMBC in August.

In 2022/23, Barnsley Council spent £265,000 on clearing and disposing of litter and fly-tipping.

Fly-tipping levels both nationally and in Barnsley peaked during Covid and after lockdown easing, and despite a decline, have now started to increase again.

In 2023/24, the council issued 1,225 fixed penalty notices for environmental offences, and prosecuted seven offenders for fly-tipping.

The fine for dumping up to six bags of waste will remain at £400, but anyone caught fly-tipping more can face a fine of up to £1,000.

BMBC says the higher fine would target ‘those more likely to fly tip as a criminal enterprise’.

The maximum fine for graffitiing will also double from £100 to £200, as it costs the council at least £200 to remove.