Councillors welcome Littering Prosecution

Town and Parish Councillors have welcomed the outcome of a prosecution for a littering offence in Morley.  Mr Danyal Brown of Rookwood View, Osmondthorpe, Leeds 9 was issued with a fixed penalty notice for littering when he threw down a cigarette butt outside a primary school on Fountain Street in Morley.  Mr Brown did not pay the fixed penalty and also did not respond to the Courts and was found guilty in his absence.  The defendant was fined £220, a Victim Surcharge of £30 and other legal costs totally £445.

The offence was spotted by an Enforcement Officer employed by Morley Town Council, Drighlington and Gildersome Parish Councils in a pilot partnership programme to crack down on littering, dog fouling and inconsiderate parking offences.

Councillor Robert Finnigan, Leader of Morley Town Council said “We have employed an Enforcement Officer who operates full time across Morley, Drighlington and Gildersome area.  Their job is to crackdown on this type of anti-social behaviour along with inconsiderate parking and dog fouling issues.  I am pleased the Courts are backing our programme.”

Since the Enforcement Officer has been employed at the end of last year, over 200 fines have been issued for parking, littering and dog fouling offences.  Money raised by the fines offset the cost of providing the Enforcement Officer.

Councillor Andrew Hutchison, who monitors the programme on behalf of Drighlington Parish Council said “This is above improving the quality of life for all residents across the area.  Dog fouling, littering and inconsiderate parking is a blight and we will not hesitate to take action again perpetrators who undertake this type of anti-social behaviour.”