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Response 4049907

Response to request for information

Reference

4049907

Response date

23 July 2026

Request

We would like to request the following information: 

  1. Does the council currently carry out litter enforcement activity (e.g. issuing fixed penalty notices for littering)?
  2. Does the council currently use any external/private companies or contractors to carry out litter enforcement?
    • If yes, please provide:
      • The name(s) of the company/companies
      • The start date of the current contract(s)
  3. Please provide details of any contractual arrangements with external enforcement providers that include:
    • Commission-based payments
    • Payments linked to the number of fines issued
    • Revenue-sharing agreements
  4. Since 10 March 2026, has the council:
    • Reviewed its use of private contractors for litter enforcement?
    • Made any changes to its litter enforcement approach?
  5. If yes please provide a brief summary of the changes made.

If any part of this request exceeds the cost limit, please prioritise questions 1–4. I would prefer the information in a spreadsheet format where possible.

Response

We would like to request the following information: 

  1. Does the council currently carry out litter enforcement activity (e.g. issuing fixed penalty notices for littering)? Yes
  2. Does the council currently use any external/private companies or contractors to carry out litter enforcement? Yes
  3. Please provide details of any contractual arrangements with external enforcement providers that include:
    • Commission-based payments 
    • Payments linked to the number of fines issued
    • Revenue-sharing agreements 

All details of the contract that can be disclosed are found on our website as detailed above. Any financial details that are redacted from the contract are for commercially sensitive reasons.  While this information is held by the Council, it will not be disclosed for this reason.  The Council relies on section 43(2) of the FOIA which provides an exemption where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person, including the Council and its contractual partner. Having considered the public interest test, the Council has concluded that, whilst there is a public interest in transparency regarding the use of public funds, this is outweighed in this case by the public interest in protecting legitimate commercial interests and the Council’s ability to negotiate and form best value contracts. Accordingly, the information is being withheld under section 43(2) FOIA.

  1. Since 10 March 2026, has the council:
    • Reviewed its use of private contractors for litter enforcement? No
    • Made any changes to its litter enforcement approach? No
  2. If yes please provide a brief summary of the changes made. Not Applicable

 

FOI Responses Environmental Crime 2026