People who dump waste illegally in West Norfolk face fixed penalty fines of 200.

Eastern Daily Press: Tyres, cushions and bedding dumped on the edge of a field. Picture: Chris BishopTyres, cushions and bedding dumped on the edge of a field. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

New environmental laws brought in last year give councils the power to charge offenders up to £400 for 'small scale fly-tipping'.

A report to West Norfolk council's ruling cabinet said the fines are 'a useful tool' for dealing with cases.

Councillors agreed to levy fines of £200, reduced to £150 if paid within 10 days.

Ian Devereux, the council's portfolio holder for environment, said: 'It's a choice that's already open to our officers to impose a fixed penalty notice.

'They're already enabled to issue such notices, the key issue is the level of fine.' Councils elsewhere in Norfolk have set their fines at £200, councillors heard.

Principal environmental health officer Mark Whitmore said if offenders declined to pay, discharging their liability, the council would pursue them through the courts.

He added the notices were aimed at offenders dumping small amounts of waste, such as a couple of bin bags.

Cabinet members agreed to the £200 fine. The decision must be ratified by the full council before officials can start handing out tickets.

It comes after traders and residents in North Lynn agreed to work together after a spike in illegal dumping in alleyways in the Loke Road area.

MORE - Tackling North Lynn's fly-tipping problemsEarlier this week, the council launched a public consultation over whether a road which runs alongside the boundary of Bawsey Country Park should be closed to vehicles to combat fly-tipping.

MORE - Should a road in West Norfolk be closed to combat fly-tippers?Neighbouring Fenland council agreed to impose the maximum £400 fine, after councillors heard an average of 120 incidents were being reported every month.

In 2015/16, there were more than 100,000 cases of fly-tipping across East Anglia.