Successful fly tip prosecution
Enforcement officers at Telford & Wrekin Council, have secured a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) against a private landlord for fly tipping on Arleston Lane near Lawley Primary School.
The £300 fixed penalty notice was issued for the landlord’s lack of care, after the employed unlicensed waste carrier, fly tipped items in open fields.
Household waste including a bed, broken furniture and other items of general waste were discovered and after investigation, evidence revealed the items were linked to a property in Malinslee.
Officers visiting the property, subsequently found another fly tip containing further household waste and a male clearing the house on behalf of the landlord.
As the landlord refused to provide details of the waste contractor, this resulted in a FPN being issued for Duty of Care offences.
Landlords must ensure approved contractors are clearing properties and will dispose of waste correctly.
Councillor Richard Overton (Lab) Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport said: “Securing a fine like this is great work by our enforcement team and helping to recoup some of the costs for clearing away the mess that created such an eye sore for residents.
“It’s not enough for landlords to simply employ someone to dispose of waste, they must check that it will be disposed of legally.
“We will continue to pursue residents and businesses who avoid disposing of their waste in a legal way and remain on the side of those who do.”
To make sure you stay on the right side of the law - and avoid a fine – checks should be carried out on companies or individuals removing waste to ensure they are registered waste carriers.
If you are employing somebody to remove waste from your home or on behalf of your business, you can:
- Ask to see their waste carrier licence registration certificate
- Phone 08708 506 506 and ask for a waste carrier validation check for the person
- Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about the disposal of business or commercial waste.
Offenders can, and will, be prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Anyone found guilty and convicted in a Magistrates Court could face a fine of up to £50,000 and/or 12 months in prison. If convicted in a Crown Court offenders could face an unlimited fine and/or a jail sentence of up to five years.
To report a flytip in your area, download the Telford app or visit the website www.telford.gov.uk/Watch to find out more about how Telford & Wrekin Council is tackling flytipping.
A dedicated hotline exists where residents can provide information – anonymously if necessary - that may lead to a prosecution. Call 01952 3888 00.
