Fly tipping in Staffordshire village costs couple £600

A senior councillor is warning residents to ensure their rubbish is disposed of properly after a couple were made to pay £600 when builders’ waste was dumped illegally in a village near Stone.

Tins, wood, cardboard and plastic from renovations on a house were among items disposed of on a lane in Tittensor. The homeowners said the builder they had employed to do the work must have dumped the rubbish, on the verge of Beechdale Lane.

A couple from Stoke on Trent were issued with a fixed penalty notice of £600 for failing to ensure their waste was disposed of properly. They did not reveal who the builder was to Stafford Borough Council.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at the Borough Council, repeated his warning for residents to ensure those offering to remove waste were registered to do so.

The council tips to avoid breaking the law are:

1. Always check credentials of people offering to take rubbish https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers  

2. Ask where they are going to dispose of the waste 

3. Always get a receipt 

And for more information www.staffordbc.gov.uk/alternative-waste-collectors

Councillor Fordham, said: “Fly tipping, littering and other environmental crimes are a blight on our communities. They can cause environmental damage, they attract anti-social behaviour, make areas look untidy, and have an adverse impact on the quality of life for our residents. And our residents are disgusted when people fly tip in their community.

“I want to remind private householders that they are liable for their waste. It may seem like a cheap alternative paying someone to get rid of it - but if they are not a registered waste carrier then you leave yourself open to a fine or even prosecution.”

He added: “I'd also urge anyone with information on those who are carrying out fly tipping to report it to us as we will always pursue those intent on rubbishing our borough.”

This latest fly tip was reported to the council last month (April.)

For more details on reporting environmental crimes go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/grimewatch