I have recently requested Aberdeenshire Council to clear up the verges between Mason Lodge and Sauchen which are heavily strewn with litter. It appears that most of the litter has been thrown from moving vehicles.

Although the council has a duty to keep areas free from litter, is it the best use of tax-payers’ money to pick up after others?

Aberdeenshire Council’s authorised officers can serve £50 fixed penalty notices to anyone found littering and this includes littering from a vehicle. The officer requires to obtain a statement from the person reporting the offence. The statement will include the vehicle’s registration number (and where possible the make, model and colour), details of where and when the offence took place, a description of the offender if possible and whether there are any additional witnesses.

Unfortunately these offences cannot proceed based on an anonymous report as the DVLA, who provide information on the vehicle’s registered keeper to the Council’s authorised officers, require evidence in the form of a statement from the witness. The good news is that fixed penalty notices can be served based on the evidence of one person only – it is one of the few offences in Scot’s law that does not require corroboration.

From April 2014, the fixed penalty is to be raised to £80 for littering.

Fly tippers and litterers should be reported to the Wasteline on 0845 600 3900. Let’s get Aberdeenshire cleaned up!