Clause 74 - Amount of fixed penalty
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
11:00 am
Mrs Anne McIntosh (Shadow Minister, Environment and Transport; Vale of York, Conservative)
Is the figure of £75 in subsection (2)(b) a minimum, a maximum or a guideline? There is concern that different levels of fine will apply in different local authority areas, which would probably not be a good idea. Can the Minister give us some guidance about that? People are worried that, as the fixed penalty will be payable to the local authority, it could be perceived as a stealth tax and a means of raising money. Can he put their minds at rest on that point?