§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sanctions14W are available to local authorities to deal with organisations which fly post on (a) walls, (b) windows, (c) telephone equipment and (d) bus shelters, where the materials carry no imprint but identify the organisation and provide publicity for goods and services. [38074]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIt is an offence, under section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and Regulation 27 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, to display an advertisement without the prior consent of the owner of the land, or premises, on which it is displayed. It is then immediately open to the planning authority to bring a prosecution in the Magistrates' Court. The present maximum fine on summary conviction of this offence is £1,000, with a daily penalty of £100 on conviction of a continuing offence. The level of fines is kept under review by the Home Office and updated periodically.
Section 224 also provides that people whose goods, trade, business or other concerns are given publicity by an unlawful advertisement may be prosecuted unless they can prove that it was displayed without their knowledge or consent.
District Councils and London Boroughs also have powers under Section 225, of the Act, to remove or obliterate any illegally displayed placard or poster after giving two days' notice of their intention to do so.
In addition, local highway authorities have powers, under section 132 of the Highways Act 1980, to remove unlawful advertisements attached to any trees, structures or works in the highway.