Revealed: No Moray Council litter fines in last four years
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MORAY Council has issued no litter fines in over four years, according to new figures.
Responding yesterday (July 10) to a Northern Scot Freedom of Information (FOI) Request, the council confirmed they had not handed out any fines for littering since April 2019.
During the four years since the last fine, Moray's three Community Wardens spent less than four hours a week between them working on the fines.
This is according to the new council figures showing that 0.1 FTE – a tenth of one full time job – was dedicated to the task.
Given the new figures, the three wardens work less than an hour-and-a-half per week pursuing litter fines.
Wardens also do not patrol for litter due to a lack of resources, according to a council spokesperson.
The council's last two Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for littering to date were handed out in the Elgin City North ward between April 2018 and April 2019.
People caught littering receive an FPN of £80 and, if the matter goes to court, they can be fined up to £2500.
A Moray Council spokesperson said: “We have three community Wardens who are authorised to issue fines alongside their wide ranging duties.
"Due to the resources available we do not undertake any patrolling to catch litterers in the act of littering.”
Councillors Amber Dunbar (Elgin North, Conservative) and Marc Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde, Conservative), are hosting a litter pick tomorrow (July 12) on the footpath between Elgin and Lhanbryde.
Cllr Dunbar said the path had been "ruined by the presence of litter" and highlighted concerns from the community over the problem.
"The Elgin to Lhanbryde footpath is incredibly popular, particularly as we enjoy the weather at this time of year," she said.
"Unfortunately, it's ruined by the presence of litter – which is something that has been raised with us as councillors.
"In an effort to combat the issue we are organising a litter pick and would appeal for any volunteers to get in touch if they are able to help."
Anyone wishing to join the litterpick can email marc.macrae@moray.gov.uk for full details.
The data came through an FOI Request submitted to the Council on June 16, 2023, which showed that no littering fines were issued in financial years 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.
