Two Gedling borough councillors have praised a Government decision to u-turn on powers to punish fly-tippers.
An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to hit drivers who litter from their vehicles with penalty points on their licence was proposed by the Conservatives and will now be considered.
This change means the Secretary of State will now consult on establishing a system for flytippers in vehicles to place points on their licences.
The measure was originally voted down at Committee stage, but will now be included.
An amendment had been tabled to give police the powers to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping but this wasn’t supported by the Government.
Conservative Cllrs Sam Smith & Mike Adams, who represent the Trent Valley Ward on Gedling Borough Council, said: “Fly-tipping continues to blight our communities.
“Our constituents across Trent Valley, in Stoke Bardolph, Gedling, Burton Joyce and Rivendell, are fed up with seeing rubbish dumped on our streets or in our beautiful green spaces.
“We welcome the Government’s u-turn to put points on the licenses of fly-tippers and will continue to hold their feet to the fire on extra powers for the police to seize vehicles.
“Labour-run Gedling Borough Council must now get a grip of this issue and start punishing fly-tippers”
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Fly-tippers are turning our towns and countryside into dumping grounds. Fly-tipping is a scourge on our communities.
“I am pleased to see that the Government have finally u-turned due to pressure and decided to implement our measures to put points on the licenses of fly-tippers and seize their vehicles.”
