Mayor Dave - if you agree that people should be fined for spitting in public, let us know

Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced proposals for Bedford Borough Council to issue fines for anyone caught spitting or urinating in public in Bedford Borough.

Two recent test cases brought by a local authority show that this approach can be upheld by law, so Mayor Dave has moved to implement an enforcement regime here in Bedford Borough. The Council's approach will only be supported by the courts if there is evidence of public support for the introduction of the powers, and Mayor Dave is calling on people who agree with him that action should be taken to make their views known.

A public consultation is now underway and if the plans are supported, anyone caught spitting or urinating in public by authorised council officers will be issued with a £75 on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice, in line with the punishment to those caught littering.

Mayor Dave was interviewed for a TV news report by ITV Anglia on the proposals, and this can be viewed here: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2014-04-03/meet-the-council-so-fed-up-of-people-spitting-on-their-streets-theyre-proposing-to-introduce-on-the-spot-fines/

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "Spitting and urinating on public surfaces, roads, pavements and streets is a filthy habit and an issue that people regularly raise with me and the council.

"I don't think the problem in Bedford is worse than anywhere else. This is about making sure that we are tackling it as effectively as possible and using whatever powers are available if local residents confirm that they want us to. So, anyone who wants to see these powers brought in here should let us know."

To find out more information and have your say, see www.bedford.gov.uk/whywouldyou. This section of the council website details the extensive range of enforcement action being taken by the Council against the minority of people who commit environmental crimes such as littering, for example, for which Mayor Dave introduced an enforcement regime for the first time in Bedford Borough.

Hard copies of the consultation will also be available at the borough council's Borough Hall reception, libraries and the Customer Contact Centre.

The consultation closes Friday 2 May 2014.