After six years, Ealing Council has dropped its enviro-crime enforcement contractor Kingdom and awarded a new contract to parking and environmental enforcement giant APCOA.
The new arrangement, which covers a range of offences including spitting in the street, dog fouling and dropping litter, came into force on 1 July 2024 and is a joint contract with Ealing, Harrow and Hounslow Councils.
According to APCOA, it’s officers will: “be able to promptly report and arrange clearance of incidents of fly-tipping, prevent cases of littering and dog fouling, and issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices (FPN) to offenders where necessary.”
On its website, APCOA says it is still looking for officers to manage its Ealing contract. The role, which pays £13 an hour, is described as “Environmental Enforcement Officers enforce local laws to protect the area from litter, dog fouling, various other breaches and local bye-law violations. You will be issuing tickets and notices to those who breach these.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “The Kingdom enforcement contract ended on 30 June 2024. Following a competitive procurement process, APCOA have been awarded the new enforcement contract. This arrangement is for three years with the option of extending the contract by a year, a maximum of three times.
“Residents can expect to see no change to the levels of environmental enforcement.”
Kim Challis, regional managing director (UK&I) at APCOA said: “We are really pleased to be working now with Ealing, Harrow and Hounslow councils, using our extensive experience in environmental enforcement to help tackle anti-social problems. We welcome the opportunity to make a difference to the local communities across these three London boroughs.”
Ealing Council told EALING.NEWS that its in-house environmental services company Greener Ealing didn’t apply for the contract.
A spokesperson said: “Environmental enforcement is a specialist skill. Greener Ealing did not apply for the tender to manage this service.”