Another successful Duty of Care prosecution in Corby is a reminder to all residents of how important it is to ensure their rubbish is dealt with correctly, Corby Borough Council says.
Ursula Byrne of Gateford Court, Corby, was found Guilty after a trial for an offence under Section 34 of The Environment Protection Act 1990. This result came following an investigation of a fly-tip which related back to Ms Byrne’s home address. Ms Byrne admitted to having paid an unknown person £20 to dispose of her rubbish on her behalf. No attempt had been made to find out if this person was licensed to take away waste.
The Court sentenced Ms Byrne to a Conditional Discharge for 6 months, a Victim Surcharge of £20 and Costs of £600.
“If your rubbish is found to have been fly-tipped and you have failed to ensure the waste is removed by an authorised contractor, have not kept evidence of who you transferred the waste to, and fail to co-operate with appropriate authorities then unfortunately we will take further action and you could be prosecuted.”
“Fly-tipping is not only unsightly and a blight on our community but is also a huge cost to Corby Borough tax payers – in 2016/17 it cost an estimated £35,000 just to remove the waste and transport it for disposal,” the Borough Council says.
Corby Borough Council says it has been working to reduce these figures with both educational and enforcement work.
“However, there is still more work to be done,” it says. “Corby Borough Council is making it clear that fly-tipping will not be tolerated and further action will be taken on those that are found to have disposed of their waste irresponsibly”.
Corby Borough Council’s Street Scene Manager, Andrew Sampson, said: “Residents’ waste is their responsibility and every household has a duty of care to ensure that their waste is transferred only to an authorised person or persons authorised for transport purposes.
“If your rubbish is found to have been fly-tipped and you have failed to ensure the waste is removed by an authorised contractor, have not kept evidence of who you transferred the waste to, and fail to co-operate with appropriate authorities then unfortunately we will take further action and you could be prosecuted.”
If you are using someone to dispose of your waste please:
- Check with the Environmental Agency that the person is authorised to take your waste, they should have a ‘Waste Carriers Licence’. This can be done by calling 03708 506 506 or on the public register www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregisters
- Keep a note of their details, including the vehicle registration number
- Provide a full description of the waste for the person taking it away
- Keep all associated paperwork
