ENFORCEMENT firm 3GS has given out more than 1,200 fines in the Vale of Glamorgan – including for offences such as spitting and unauthorised camping.

Now the Vale of Glamorgan Council will review the contract for 3GS, which runs out in October, as it looks to develop a new centralised enforcement service. 

A new fine of £400 for small scale fly tipping would be introduced and penalties for offences for waste receptacles and litter control notices would increase from £100 to £150 under plans put forward by the council’s cabinet. Fines for littering, graffiti and dog fouling are also set to go up from £75 to £100 in April. Over the last 12 months 3GS has given out 1,241 fixed penalty notices in the Vale.

Some 691 fines were for littering, the next most common offence was dropping cigarettes, with 209 fines.

Four fines were for spitting, while another four were handed out for breaking bylaws in Rhoose banning fishing and camping.

The Vale council currently provides enforcement services for both environmental and civil parking enforcement through 3GS and Bridgend Council respectively. Now the cabinet has agreed plans to create a centralised ‘in-house’ enforcement service made up of one supervisor and four officers.

A council report says the enforcement team “would be intended to have a zero tolerance approach to environmental crime,” but “it is not lawful or ethical for the council to set targets for officers”.

The new enforcement team and upcoming changes to fixed penalty notices have been referred to a council scrutiny committee before a final decision is made.

Miles Punter, director of environment and housing for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “The Vale of Glamorgan has some of the cleanest streets in Wales and generally high level of compliance with parking rules.

“However, targeted enforcement is always needed to keep standards high.”

He said having “Having reviewed the enforcement arrangements currently in place for environmental and highway offences with 3GS and Bridgend County Borough Council respectively, they are proposing to bring these services back in-house.

with the establishment of a new all-encompassing enforcement team where the economies of scale achieved will ensure a more efficient service.”