After government ministers hinting last week that the Clean Neighbourhoods Bill was likely to be one of the few acts to go through before the election, it has been given Royal Assent.
The Act was fast-tracked through the remaining stages of the Parliamentary process ahead of the formal dissolution of Parliament.
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It contains a range of measure to improve the quality of the local environment by giving local authorities and the Environment Agency additional powers to fine those responsible for fly tipping and litter.
The Act also adjusts the Recycling Credits system of payments by waste disposal authorities to collection authorities for recycling.
In two-tier council areas, the Act means that disposal authorities do not have to pay recycling credits to collection authorities where the two sides have agreed an alternative payment system.
It also clarifies that recycling credits can be paid to third parties – for example, community groups – for “waste” materials that are re-used rather than recycled.
Other waste measures in the Act include:
- Giving local authorities and The Agency the power to issue fixed penalty notices:to businesses that fail to produce waste transfer notes; to waste carriers that fail to produce their registration details or evidence they do not need to be registered and for waste left out on the streets (local authority only).
- A more effective system for stop, search and seizure of vehicles used in illegal waste disposal; and enabling courts to require forfeiture of such vehicles
- A new provision covering the waste duty of care and the registration of waste carriers
- A new requirement for site waste management plans for construction and demolition projects
- Repealing the divestment provisions for waste disposal functions to provide greater flexibility for local authorities to deliver waste management services in the most sustainable way.
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