A WARNING has been issued in North Ayrshire after the rise of the penalty for fly-tipping.

Illegal rubbish dumpers who blight streets, pavements, public spaces countryside and beauty spots face the new £500 penalty  - an increase from £200 - which was introduced on January 1 by the Scottish Government.

This new penalty applies to anyone in North Ayrshire who is caught acting irresponsibly by not disposing of waste in the correct manner.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The warning has been issued to North Ayrshire residentsThe warning has been issued to North Ayrshire residents (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

The majority of local authorities in Scotland offer no formal grounds of appeal against a Fixed Penalty Notice for fly-tipping – so people either have to pay the fine or take their case to court.

However, North Ayrshire Council has implemented its own appeals procedure as a sign of good practice.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The price has risen by £300 for flytippingThe price has risen by £300 for flytipping (Image: NAC)

The council’s Streetscene officers can now issue a notice of £500 to a person they believe has committed an offence of fly-tipping under Section 33a/34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Failure to pay a Fixed Penalty can result in action by Sheriff Officers or the Procurator Fiscal. If you are prosecuted, you may face a jail term and a fine of up to £40,000 and have a criminal record.

Vehicles used to carry out the crime may be considered for seizure.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The council have seen hundreds of incidents of flytipping The council have seen hundreds of incidents of flytipping (Image: NAC)

Last year, the council issued 367 FPNs for littering offences - 22 for dog fouling, 250 for fly-tipping and 95 for littering.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Flytipping has been spotted across North Ayrshire Flytipping has been spotted across North Ayrshire (Image: NAC)

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “The Scottish Government set this new level of Fixed Penalty Notice and local authorities must enforce it.

“I sincerely hope it acts as a deterrent to anyone who is tempted to dispose of rubbish in an irresponsible manner.

“Fly-tipping isn’t just about businesses dumping commercial waste on a country road to avoid paying disposal costs – doing things like leaving additional bags of household waste next to your bins also constitutes fly-tipping.

“I would encourage everyone to be considerate, and play their part in keeping North Ayrshire tidy by putting waste where it belongs.”