HUNDREDS have signed a petition demanding litter squad Kingdom cancels 'excessive' fines imposed on businesses in Wallasey Village.
It follows an outcry by traders and small businesses on Seabank Road in New Brighton, who have also been targeted by Kingdom Enforcement Officers.
At the moment almost 250 people, including many business owners in the village, have signed the petition.
Kingdom's visits to shops follow the Town Hall's decision to hand enforcement of trade waste contracts to the company, giving them the power to fine small businesses up to £300.
Conservative ward councillor Paul Hayes met with many of the traders over the weekend: "Many of the shops and small businesses in Wallasey Village produce hardly any waste.
"To expect them to take out sometimes expensive waste contracts is unreasonable and to issue them with retrospective fines of £300 is blatantly profiteering.
"Our small shops and businesses on the High Street should be supported by the Town Hall. Labour councillors need to drop these plans and rein in their Kingdom Officers."
Mel Neilson, a business proprietor in Wallasey Village, said: "As a business we don't generate much waste at all.
"It's got to the stage where we are being asked what we do with our teabags after we put the kettle on!
“The council have never made it clear what we need to do with the minimal waste we have, and in my case, they accepted existing arrangements, but then have gone back on what they've said and hit us with a retrospective £300 fine.
"They seem determined to squeeze money from local businesses who are contributing to the local economy and offering employment opportunities.
"They should be supporting us not throwing us under the bus.”
To sign the petition against the penalty fines, visit www.wirralconservatives.com/tradewaste
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: "Continuing to improve recycling rates and protecting the beautiful environment for which Wirral is so widely praised is a top priority of the Council.
"No matter how small the business, or how much waste it generates, the law requires there be arrangements in place for its proper disposal.
"It is up to the business to arrange for this - it is not a landlord's responsibility, nor the local authority's, and nor should it be disposed of in public litter bins, domestic bins or taken in person to the tip.
"The Council’s main objective with the enforcement programme is to reduce the amount of commercial waste that is being illegally placed into domestic refuse - which means council tax payers subsidising businesses.
"Wirral has seen a 10.6% increase in disposal costs over the last five years and the borough’s disposal cost for 2019/20 will be £17.2 million.
"Any business which feels it has been unfairly treated can appeal and this will be dealt with fairly and quickly."
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