We need to get tough on people who throw litter. Penalties for littering haven’t increased in 20 years, despite the increases in prices and inflation over the last two decades.

So, on Thursday my Conservative team is bringing forward a motion to Monmouthshire County Council, calling for tougher penalties for littering and dog fouling, alongside support for stronger action against fly-tipping.

At present, the legal maximum Fixed Penalty Notice for littering and dog fouling in Wales is £150. That ceiling was set in 2007 and has not been increased in two decades. In that time, inflation has dramatically reduced its real value. Prices have increased by 80% on average since then so this penalty should have almost doubled if it had kept pace with other rising costs. Penalties for fly-tipping also need to increase significantly. Too many criminals seem willing to take the chance of paying a low-level fine instead of disposing of their waste responsibly.

Monmouthshire County Council is too soft on people caught littering. For some reason, the council doesn’t fine up to legal maximum. The Council's littering penalty is £75, while its current dog-fouling penalty is £100, reduced to £75 for early payment. My motion calls on the Labour administration to bring forward changes to increase both penalties to the maximum currently permitted by law, £150.

Those who responsibly dispose of their rubbish and clean up after their dogs should not have to put up with the selfish behaviour of a minority. Fines need to be meaningful enough to act as a deterrent. These litter louts need to see that we have robust penalties in place to prevent them engaging in this selfish activity. More severe penalties and more consistent enforcement would send a clear message that as a society we will not tolerate this despicable behaviour.

Sadly, there isn’t a single verge or hedgerow in Monmouthshire not blighted by discarded cans, bottles and fast-food packaging. The sight of litter encourages others to similarly discard their rubbish. I’m proud that Conservative councillors often organise litterpicks in their respective wards to work with residents in making small contributions to reducing litter.

We live in a beautiful county but we cannot allow the minority to continue spoiling it for decent law-abiding residents. I hope that tougher penalties will send a message to litter louts that they will not get away with treating our county like a dumping ground.