Fines for littering

Fines can be paid by returning the completed slip on the Fixed Penalty Notice that you received and posting it to the specified address. 

Alternatively you can pay by credit/debit card by calling 01267 234567 or visit one of the Hwbs in Carmarthen, Llanelli or Ammanford. 

The standard cost of a Fixed Penalty Notice for dropping litter is £75, but if this is paid within 10 days then the cost is £50. However, this does not apply to a Fixed Penalty Notice for a dog fouling offence (as it is different legislation).

There are no formal grounds of appeal against a Fixed Penalty Notice. This is because a Fixed Penalty Notice is an invitation for you to discharge your liability to prosecution.

Basically this means that if you agree that an offence has been committed by you, then by paying the sum of money specified, no further action for the offence will be taken.

This saves time involved for everyone (including the offender) in prosecuting cases at court and the fixed penalty notice is much lower than any fine imposed by the courts. The maximum fine that can be imposed by the courts for littering is £2,500.

If you do not agree that you committed the offence for which you received the Fixed Penalty Notice then the matter will be dealt with through formal prosecution via the courts.

It will then be up to the court, on receiving evidence, to determine whether an offence was committed and therefore whether any penalty should be imposed.

We are not required to place signs in every street, road, or open space to tell you not to litter /clean up after your dog or to inform you that environmental enforcement officers are carrying out patrols in the area. Dropping litter and dog fouling is against the law.

As with signs, it is just not practical for us to place litter bins in every street and road in the county, though of course every effort is made to place bins where they are most needed, such as in town centres, school routes and major shopping areas. 

Dog mess, once bagged, can be placed in any litter bin, not only the designated dog bins.

Where bins are not available then it is up to you to act responsibly and either take  your litter home with you or carry it until you find a litter bin.

You are responsible for putting out your cigarettes before placing them in the bin.

Care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire and in particular cigarette ends should be completely extinguished on the stubbing plates provided on many litter bins before the stub is thrown into the bin.

There are various portable ashtrays available or you could make your own by placing some soil or sand in a small tin.

Dog fouling and dropping litter is against the law. Our enforcement officers are not required to warn people of this, as disposing of litter and dog mess responsibly is what is expected of everyone. 

However, we have been carrying out awareness campaigns on litter which have included posters, information leaflets, adverts, radio, press articles and work in schools to make sure that everyone is aware of why this is an important issue.

Whether you volunteer to pick up your litter afterwards or not, you have committed an offence and will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Please contact us through calling 01267 234567 to discuss your circumstances. This will be reviewed and you may be granted a time extension to pay. However, a Fixed Penalty Notice cannot be paid in instalments.

Failing to provide a name and address is an offence under Section 6 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. If an offender does not co-operate with our officers then they can call the police.

Not being aware that your dog has fouled (because you were not in the vicinity at the time) or not having suitable means to remove it is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean it up. There is an expectation that a person responsible for a dog is mindful at all times of their whereabouts and activities.