A SCHEME to tackle litter and dog mess in Weymouth has been welcomed. 

Members of the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC) management committee voted to move forward with plans for private firm 3GS to issue fixed penalty notices to those who flout waste disposal and dog fouling rules.

The firm would provide two staff, recruited locally, with powers to issue fines over a 12-month trial period, focused on the town centre but also active in other highlighted areas such as the Rodwell Trail.

The committee's approval means that the council's head of community protection, in consultation with briefholders for community safety, social inclusion and tourism, has the discretion to approve the pilot- provided there is no significant financial risk to the council.

Councillors also stipulated that regular reports should be provided to the scrutiny and performance committee.

Subject to these conditions, the pilot could commence as early as this autumn.

Graham Duggan, head of community protection, said that the borough is aiming for the project to be "at least financially neutral", but he could not rule out a cost to the authority.

Tourism spokesman Cllr Jason Osborne expressed concerns about the impact fines might have on visitors, but said that "having a go so we can see how it works" is a good idea, provided that consideration is given to the "honeymoon period" a pilot can create.

Cllr Kevin Brookes said that the proposal was "long overdue" but acknowledged that overzealous fines could lead to negative attention for the council.

He added: "I think it is down to us to look people straight back in the face and say 'don't do it'."

Cllr James Farquharson, who has campaigned for more action on dog fouling, was keen to clarify whether the two staff would be rotated around the borough.

Mr Duggan said that the staff would work in spotlighted areas outside of the town centre, but stated that the scheme would have to focus on "areas with the highest footfall" in order to remain cost effective.

Cllr Ray Nowak said that he "seriously welcomed" the report recommending that the pilot go ahead.

He added: "Of course, we do not want to see our residents or our visitors fined, but we do not want to see them dropping litter.

"I hope it is cost neutral, but even if it initially costs something, it will be better to have our borough a cleaner and better place to be."