A motion by Skegness Town Council seeking clarity on litter enforcement in the town has been withdrawn after East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) offered a meeting with officers and the contractor responsible for enforcement.

The motion, originally proposed by Councillor Adrian Findley and seconded by Councillor Trevor Burnham, called on the council to write to the relevant portfolio holder and director at ELDC to request more information about the authority’s litter strategy and how enforcement is applied locally.

Town Clerk Steve Larner at Wednesday’s meeting of Skegness Town Council confirmed the motion’s withdrawal, noting that ELDC Leader Councillor Craig Leyland had offered the meeting to discuss the issues directly with Skegness councillors.

The motion comes following local reaction to a case earlier this year in which an 86-year-old man from Skegness was fined after spitting out a leaf that blew into his mouth. The incident, first reported in December, sparked widespread criticism online and among residents, with many questioning how enforcement officers interpret and apply littering rules.

Coun Adrian Findley (left) and Coun Trevor Burnham.

placeholder image — Coun Adrian Findley (left) and Coun Trevor Burnham.

As previously reported by Lincolnshire World, Roy Marsh received a £250 penalty notice from ELDC enforcement officers at South Parade car park after the leaf incident. The fine was later reduced to £150 on appeal. His daughter described the penalty as “unnecessary and disproportionate”, and the story prompted dozens of comments from residents sharing similar experiences.

At the time, ELDC said its officers “only approach individuals who have been seen committing environmental crime offences”, noting that spitting is legally treated as a form of littering.

Councillor Findley has previously said he has received multiple complaints from residents who feel enforcement has been overly strict, with some reporting incidents they viewed as genuine accidents rather than deliberate offences.

The draft litter and fly-tipping strategy published by ELDC outlines the council’s approach to tackling environmental crime, including the role of enforcement teams and how offences are defined. Residents can view the strategy in advance of the meeting here.

With the offer of a direct meeting from ELDC, councillors will now have the opportunity to discuss enforcement practices and seek answers on residents’ concerns.