A WOMAN from Rugby has become the first to receive a new higher fine from Harborough District Council for ‘duty of care’ offences relating to fly-tipping.
The woman was fined £400 – up from £300 under tougher new measures – after she hired a ‘man in a van’ to remove rubbish from her home but failed to check if he held a valid waste carrier’s licence.
The man then dumped the waste in Gallowfield Road near Gartree Prison in Leicestershire – but an investigative team from Harborough District Council, who found the fly-tip in April, traced it back to her property.
The Council urged people to stay vigilant and use only reputable contractors – and not to risk it if in doubt.
Harborough District Council’s environment and waste spokesman Coun Jonathan Bateman said: “If anyone has failed to check that a person, or business, removing waste from their property is allowed to by law, and that rubbish is fly-tipped, they will now receive an increased fine.
“It is therefore crucial people ask questions and demand to see a valid waste carrier’s licence, or check on the Environment Agency website, before allowing waste to be removed.”
Visit www.harborough.gov.uk/tip-off for the council’s advice on how to dispose of waste which cannot go into wheeled bins.
