MK Labour have pledged that if they win the upcoming local elections, they will introduce litter wardens across MK to “find and fine” litter louts.

Wardens will have the powers to issue warnings and on the spot fines for littering. Over 40 local authorities in England have currently taken up powers that allow litter louts to be fined, and MK Labour believe the time has come to introduce wardens in MK.

Labour are also pledging to investigate the use of new technology to identify and punish people who litter from vehicles. A number of authorities, such as Maidstone Borough Council in Kent, have also been piloting new technology that is able to identify littering from vehicles and issue fines.

Labour say that any surplus funding raised from fines will be re-invested into keeping the streets clean and other services such as tackling fly tipping.

The Labour administration have previously invested in significant education and media campaigns to reduce littering, but believe a harder approach is now needed alongside a preventative one. While fines should be a last resort, there is no excuse for littering.

Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “Litter is a major issue. There is no excuse for it. It costs the council hundreds of thousands of pounds to remove and makes our streets look bad. The time has come to find and fine the culprits.”

Cllr Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “We want to keep our streets clean, so if we retain the leadership of MK Council after the local elections in May, we will introduce litter wardens in Milton Keynes with the powers to issue warnings and on the spot fines. We will also look at using new technology to catch people who litter from vehicles. Our priority is a clean Milton Keynes, so we are very happy to be clear that any surplus that the scheme may generate for the council will be re-invested back into keeping our communities clean and tidy.” 

Cllr Darlington concluded: “The MK Labour message to litter louts is we will find you and we will fine you.”