Key Points
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council raises littering fines from £150 to £250, effective November 1.
- Graffiti and flyposting penalties increase from £100 to £500.
- Fines for Household Duty of Care breaches rise from £400 to £600.
- Commercial waste receptacle breach fines increase from £110 to £150.
- Fly-tipping fines set at £1,000, but only for rubbish dumped in public spaces, excluding regular household waste.
- Early payment reductions apply to some fines, e.g., £200 for littering.
- Concerns expressed by Conservative councillor Adronie Alford over residents fined due to refuse collectors’ errors.
- Council leader Stephen Cowan acknowledges past issues with waste collection but notes improvements under Veolia contract.
- Revenues from fines will cover removal and enforcement costs, with no extra budget impact.
- Fine levels align roughly with neighbouring boroughs, such as Kensington and Chelsea (£300) and Hounslow (£500).
What changes has Hammersmith and Fulham Council made to littering fines?
As reported by local government sources, from 1 November 2025, fulham/hammersmith/">hammersmith-and-fulham/">Hammersmith and Fulham Council will increase Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) related to waste offences. The penalty for littering will rise considerably from £150 to £250, with a discounted early payment rate of £200. Graffiti and flyposting fines will increase fivefold, from £100 to £500 or £250 if paid early. Breaches of the Household Duty of Care, which involve improper waste disposal by residents, will see fines go from £400 to £600, early payment reducing to £300. Commercial waste offences will now attract a £150 fine, up from £110.
Why has the council decided to increase these fines now?
According to the council’s decision paper and statements from Cabinet members, these fines had not been revised since December 2017. The Cabinet approved these changes following a review to ensure enforcement is effective at keeping streets free from waste. The amendments aim to strike a balance between deterring littering and not imposing excessive burdens on residents. The Cabinet member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety, Cllr Rebecca Harvey, led the agreement on these new penalty amounts.
How does the council differentiate fly-tipping from littering?
Fly-tipping fines remain at £1,000 following last year’s decision, but a key clarification has been introduced. As highlighted in official documentation, fly-tipping enforcement will focus only on rubbish dumped in public spaces outside the regular collection service, such as bulky waste like mattresses or furniture. Household waste improperly presented but still part of the scheduled collection will be dealt with as a littering offence rather than fly-tipping. This measured approach is intended to prevent unnecessary penalties for typical household waste collection timing mistakes.
What concerns have councillors raised about the enforcement changes?
Conservative councillor Adronie Alford expressed reservations during the council Cabinet meeting, cautioning that residents might receive fines for rubbish left behind by refuse collectors rather than their own fault. She is quoted saying,
“I don’t really want to get a fixed penalty, and I don’t really want any of my residents to get a fixed penalty because of something that hasn’t been caused by a resident but has regretfully been caused by the failure of our operatives.”
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, acknowledged earlier frustrations with waste left by collectors but noted the situation has since improved with Veolia managing waste services.
How will the council manage the financial impact of the new fines?
Council officers stated in the decision paper that while the exact income from the new fines is uncertain, all funds raised will be allocated toward litter removal, fly-tipping clearance, and enforcement programmes.
“Any costs associated with implementing these amendments and setting of the new FPNs will be contained within the existing Law Enforcement Team revenue budget for 2025/26,”
the report added. This suggests no additional financial strain on the council’s budget is anticipated.
How do Hammersmith and Fulham’s fines compare to neighbouring boroughs?
When examining surrounding local authorities, Hammersmith and Fulham’s revised fines appear generally consistent. Kensington and Chelsea Council charges £300 for littering, fly-posting, and graffiti offences. However, Hounslow imposes a notably higher littering fine of £500, indicating some variability in enforcement policy and penalty levels across London boroughs.
