HOUSEHOLDERS will no longer be fined for falling foul of waste and recycling rules, as part of a shake-up of local authority powers.

The Government has promised to tackle Britain’s “barmy bin policies” which will restrict fines to all but the most extreme cases of flytipping.

Councillors in the region have said common sense must prevail to prevent a return to streets littered with rubbish.

Under the proposals, limits will be placed on local authorities’ powers to issue fixed-penalty notices.

They will no longer be able to fine people for leaving out bags next to bins, putting out rubbish on the wrong day and failing to move bins back after they have been emptied.

In a letter to be sent to councils this week, Environment Minister Lord Henley and Local Government Minister Bob Neill will warn council leaders of the changes.

It says: “Councils cannot introduce backdoor bin charging for mainstream waste collections or waste disposal.

Such stealth taxes are not legal and are contrary to the policy direction of the new Government.”

Almost 5,000 fixed penalty notices have been handed out across the country in the past year, raising a total of £215,955 for councils.

Darlington Borough Council reports its figures in its monthly Town Crier magazine.

For three of the past four months, it handed out 132 penalties, 110 of which were for a variety of litter policies, including 23 to people who put out litter early.

The council says the policy helps to keep back alleys free of litter, particularly where pests such as rats are prevalent, and curb identify theft.

Councillor Bill Dixon, deputy leader and portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, said: “The back alleys were disgusting before it was introduced. The problem is if we have no way of tackling it, it will get worse – and we are having to make significant reductions in staff.

“We have to rely on the public to be sensible. The fines are not popular, but people understand why it is done.”

Bishop Auckland county councillor Sam Zair said: “It seems harsh to so severely penalise residents who may have made a genuine mistake.

Many of us are very passionate about keeping our communities clean, but mistakes can still be made.

“We need to be tough on those who are deliberately leaving a mess and costing the council thousands of pounds to correct what they have done".