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# Report recommends rejecting plan for parks staff to issue littering fines in Lichfield and Burntwood
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/report-recommends-rejecting-plan-for-parks-staff-to-issue-littering-fines-in-lichfield-and-burntwood/
- Published: 2021-02-23T08:09:00.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-22T21:46:09.000Z
- Description: A report has recommended rejecting a plan to use parks staff in Lichfield and Burntwood to hand out fines for littering.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, News

A report has recommended rejecting a plan to allow parks staff in Lichfield and Burntwood to hand out fines for littering.

![Some of the litter left behind in Beacon Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/litter2.jpg)

Litter in Beacon Park

The feasibility study had taken place over whether such a scheme may help tackle the problem of environmental crimes in the area.

Lichfield District Council currently employs two part time enforcement officers.

But the report said their focus was often on other issues.

> “Under normal circumstances, these officers undertake work relating to patrols primarily relating to dog fouling.  
>  
> “Whilst a very difficult offence to catch, the team do serve several fixed penalty notices per year. Where these are unpaid, the perpetrator is prosecuted.  
>  
> “Work in relation to littering is more limited and generally covers hotspot areas where these are highlighted and can be patrolled.  
>  
> “The enforcement officers have carried out less work in these primary areas through 2020 and into 2021 because they have been drawn away to other duties including assistance with food deliveries for the vulnerable as well as COVID enforcement work.”  
>  
> Lichfield District Council report

But after exploring whether parks staff having the power to hand out fixed penalty notices for things such as littering, the report explained that the idea had “numerous” disadvantages.

> “Training would be needed on issues such as criminal justice procedures and enforcement techniques which are time consuming and require resourcing. These are by no means low cost courses.  
>  
> “While some park staff may well be enthusiastic about the role, there will be others who are not skilled or have the aptitude to enter into what are confrontational situations.  
>  
> “This is true when recruiting enforcement officers so it follows that park staff who didn’t necessarily want this role would be even more reluctant.  
>  
> “The recommendation is that the use of parks staff to issue environmental crime fixed penalty notices is not recommended at the current time.”  
>  
> Lichfield District Council report

The report will be discussed at a meeting of the regulatory and licensing committee at Lichfield District Council on Thursday (25th February).