SOMERSET West and Taunton (SWT) Council has approved a new scheme to help keep its streets and public spaces free from litter.

The scheme, which was adopted unanimously during an executive meeting , will permit litter enforcement operations to be carried out by EH Commercial Services (EHCS) from April 1 as part of a 12-month trial with East Hampshire District Council.

SWT’s executive councillors voted unanimously to adopt the scheme, agreeing that ethical enforcement delivered through an established public partnership was the most cost-effective option.

The agreement will enable the recruitment and deployment of two new environmental enforcement officers through EHCS with delegated authority to issue littering fines throughout SWT’s urban and rural hotspots. EHCS is a ‘for public benefit company’ wholly owned by East Hampshire District Council, which specialises in ethical enforcement services for local authorities in the south of England.

Not only is littering illegal and anti-social, it consumes considerable council resources. Keeping the district clean through litter removal and mechanical sweeping costs the council £1 million a year.

Furthermore, the environmental impact from discarded litter often leads to clogged stormwater drains resulting in flooding after heavy rain, or it can enter rivers, canals and the sea, threatening aquatic ecosystems.

To avoid prosecution, anyone issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for a littering offence will be charged at £100, which will be discounted to £80 if paid within 14 days of the date of issue.

Payments will be taken by SWT, with administrative functions including the processing of fixed penalty notices, handling of complaints and appeals also managed by EHCS.