asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide additional finance to local authorities to operate the Litter Bill, 1982 when it becomes law; and his proposals for funding to cater for the additional staffing which will be required by local authorities.
Written Answers. - Litter Bill, 1982.
38.
One of the attractions of the Litter Bill is that it will not, in fact, cost a great deal to implement it. The necessity for additional staff, if any, will have to be considered by each local authority in the context of the needs of the areas and the existing activities. Local authorities already spend considerably, and employ workforces, on street cleaning and waste collection and disposal and in some cases, on publicity and other campaigns.
The provisions in the Bill will strengthen their powers to control litter and this should lead to a reduction in the problem and in the need for local authority spending on cleaning up operations. It is also intended that moneys accruing to local authorities under the Bill, e.g., from fines-on-the-spot or from charges, will be available as an offset against costs involved. Finally, I might mention that there has been a major increase in the funds allocated to the local authorities this year for environmental works — to a total of nearly £7 million.
In view of these considerations it does not seem unreasonable to expect that local authorities will be able to meet any modest expenditure that may be needed to implement the Bill.