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Environmental Enforcement

Environmental problems such as litter dumped rubbish, graffiti dog fouling and dog control affect us all and can seriously blight a neighbourhood. They influence resident's fear of crime which can in turn lower their quality of life.

Eastleigh Borough council is committed to and has a duty to ensure that we maintain the local environment to a high standard by keeping streets and green spaces clean and litter free, collecting refuse, removing graffiti and dealing with abandoned vehicles.The Councils corporate strategy 'Improving the quality of life for all local people', highlights the environment as a key priority area.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (CNEA) 2005 introduced new powers to enable councils to effectively tackle environmental crime and other Local Environmental Quality (LEQ) issues. The CNEA also places an emphasis on the role of proper enforcement as an important tool in any council armoury when dealing with environmental quality problems and crime.

We will try and persuade people to change their behaviour through information, education and advice however we will take enforcement action such as issuing fixed penalty notices or prosecuting if appropriate. This will send a clear message of zero tolerance to those individuals who continue to spoil our environment.

Environmental Enforcement – What is it?

Following a consultation period with the Borough's residents Eastleigh Borough Council has adopted powers to combat  environmental -crimes including littering and dog fouling.

Details of the new legislative powers have been promoted through schools, community groups and businesses within the borough.

From the 1st September 2009 Officers authorised by the Borough Council will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for these offences.

The authorised officers include Council employees (Enforcement Officer, Animal Welfare Officers), the PCSOs (Police Community Safety Officers) and the ACSOs (Accredited Community Safety Officers) who will patrol the whole of the Borough.

The majority of Fixed Penalty Notices have been set at £75, however there are higher penalties for some offences. There is a reduction of £25 if payment of the fine is made within the first 7 days.

Non payment of the Fixed Penalty Notice will see the offender considered for prosecution, not for not paying the fine but for the original offence (eg littering) which carries on conviction a much greater fine.

Paying the fixed penalty avoids possible prosecution and a court appearance.

• Table showing the offences that all the authorised officers can issue Fixed Penalty Notices for, the relevant legislation, the Fixed Penalty and the maximum penalty for the original offence if the fixed penalty is not paid.

Paying The Fixed Penalty Fine

When issued with a Fixed Penalty the recipient will receive from the issuing officer a white copy stating the offence details and on the reverse the details of how to pay. The issuing officer cannot accept payment.

Methods of payment

In Person

By cheque, cash, credit or debit card at:

Town Centre Office
Unit 2 (next to Mc Donalds)
The Swan Centre
Wells Place
Eastleigh
SO50 9SG

By Post

Send the payment slip and cheque made payable to 'Eastleigh Borough Council' to:

Financial Services
Eastleigh Borough Council
Leigh Road
Eastleigh
SO50 9YN

By telephone

Debit and credit cards only on:

023 8068 8340

Appeals Procedure

There is no legal appeals procedure against a fixed penalty notice once it has been issued, but Eastleigh Borough Council has put in place a facility whereby any legitimate complaint against an issued Fixed Penalty Notice will be considered.

Please direct any such complaint in writing to:

Enforcement Officer
Direct Services
Hedge End Depot
Botley Road
Hedge End
Southampton
Hampshire
SO30 2RA

Or via email: enforcementDS@eastleigh.gov.uk