Environmental health policy
Fixed penalty notices
Someone who has committed a relatively minor environmental offence may be offered a fixed penalty as an alternative to prosecution for the offence. The fixed penalty notice requires the person who has committed the offence to pay a fine. If you have been served with a fixed penalty notice and you pay the fine within 14 days then the Council cannot prosecute you. However if payment is not received within 14 days you may be prosecuted for the offence.
Fixed penalty notices can only be served by authorised officers of the Council. They can be used to deal with a wide range of environmental offences including dropping litter, dog fouling and various waste related offences.
Why are fixed penalty notices issued?
The Council would normally seek to prosecute offenders where there is sufficient evidence to do so. Fixed penalty notices are a proportionate, simple and fast alternative to prosecution, offering the Council an efficient way to deal with relatively minor crimes, in line with our ambition of making Calderdale a cleaner and safer place. Fixed penalties also allow the person who has committed the offence to avoid further formal action and a possible criminal conviction.
To find out more information about fixed penalty notices the Council has published a Fixed penalty enforcement strategy [PDF file 288KB]|
.
Further general information can be found on the DEFRA website DEFRA: Local environments|
Paying a fixed penalty notice
You can use any of these methods:
- by telephone
This is the preferred payment method. You can use your Debit or Credit Card by telephoning 01422 392373, Monday - Friday 8.45am - 5.00pm; - in person
You can pay by cash, cheque, debit or credit card or postal / money order made payable to Calderdale MBC and crossed A/C payee only. You should bring the Fixed Penalty Notice to one of the Council’s cash offices at Halifax, Brighouse, Elland, Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge or Hebden Bridge. See local offices; - by post
You can pay by crossed cheque or postal / money order made payable to Calderdale MBC and crossed A/C Payee only.
On the reverse side of your cheque or postal / money order please write the name, address and Fixed Penalty Notice reference number which appear on the Fixed Penalty Notice and enclose the tear off slip, which can be found on the bottom of your Fixed Penalty Notice. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.
You should send payment to:
Environmental Health, Housing and Environment Services, Northgate House, Northgate, Halifax, HX1 1UN.
