Council could use private contractors to hand out fixed penalty notices
The bin at Castle Batch is overflowing. Picture: Denise Hunt - Credit: Archant
Fining people for vandalism, littering and not picking up dog muck could be policed by external contractors and not North Somerset Council.
The authority, which is responsible for patrolling such services, could instead use private contractors to hand out fixed penalty notices.
Cllr Felicity Baker, executive member for community services, confirmed she would be ‘happy to look into it’.
Public Space Protection Orders were introduced by North Somerset Council in October 2017 in an effort to curb antisocial behaviour problems.
They have led to dozens of people being fined and several being prosecuted.
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Central Ward Cllr Richard Nightingale said: “These issues can blight people’s lives and affect their health.
“Although the council has worked extremely hard in this area, there are limitations on just how much it can do, so using private contractors would significantly increase the number of people on the ground, possibly by one enforcement officer per road.
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“This could be a positive step forward in making our streets and pathways cleaner and our communities much more pleasant places to live.”
