Concerns have been raised about the continuing problem of fly-tipping across Fife after new figures suggested the situation is getting worse.
Almost 600 fixed penalty notices have been handed out for illegal dumping in the Kingdom in the last four years, although the number has steadily increased since 2013.
That year saw 131 fines issued, before the figure rose to 170 in 2014 and a new high of 204 last year.
And with that in mind, enforcement has also been flagged up as a problem after it emerged that just 217 of the 598 fixed penalty notices processed since 2013 had been paid.
Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Tim Brett voiced his fears over the statistics and hopes that Fife Council can get to grips with the issue.
“Fly-tipping is a problem in many parts of Fife,” he said.
“As the number of fixed penalties has increased from 131 in 2013 to 204 in 2015, it would appear that this situation is getting worse.
Mr Brett observed that there were significant differences in the number of fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping issued in each area, with the greatest number being issued in the Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and South West Fife areas and the least in North East Fife.
“It must be a worry for Fife Council’s administration that this number has increased over the past four years with so far no sign of any decrease in 2016,” he continued.
“There must also be some concern that only about a third of these fines have actually been paid, though I understand that these are still being pursued and individuals may yet be reported to the procurator fiscal.
“Despite this, it is my understanding that Fife Council pursues fly-tipping penalties much more vigorously than other authorities in Scotland.”
Council leader David Ross put the increase in fixed penalty notices down to an increase in the number of officers tackling the problem.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping within the financial constraints we face and I am pleased that Councillor Brett is supportive of our approach,” he told The Courier.
“The number of fixed penalty notices issued has increased year on year since 2013 but there has not been a significant increase in the number of complaints received about fly-tipping.
“We’ve responded to fly- tipping, littering and dog fouling issues, as communities have told us these have a significant impact on their quality of life.
“We’re raising awareness of the impact of fly-tipping, talking to community groups to prevent fly tipping, and trained additional officers to issue FPN’s where appropriate.”
Mr Ross conceded that the payment rate for fines is “relatively low”, but he stressed that failure to pay can result in a report being submitted to the procurator fiscal for non-payment.
“We would encourage people to report fly tipping to us either online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/flytipping or by calling 03451 55 00 22,” he concluded.
