Council fines resident £1,000 for fly-tipping

Harriet Heywood
BBC News, Essex
Basildon Council Fly tipped rubbish on the ground outside. There are large cardboard boxes, children's toys, pizza boxes, wood, plastic and what looks to be a broken television and carpet. All have been left in a pile on the ground.Basildon Council
A housing officer discovered evidence that linked the waste back to a resident

A council has issued a £1,000 fine to send a "clear message to those who think fly-tipping is acceptable".

Basildon Council said it had stepped up efforts to tackle concerns in the Vange and Stagden Cross areas of the Essex town after a rise in unkept gardens and fly-tipped rubbish.

Patrols, which focused on identifying and addressing community concerns such as graffiti, overgrown vegetation, and waste dumping, have been increased.

Aidan McGurran, cabinet member for environment and leisure said: "There is no excuse for fly-tipping, and it will not be tolerated in our borough."

Basildon Council Fly tipped rubbish on the ground outside. There is a large bin bag which has been tied up as well as a large pile of broken planks of wood. Basildon Council
The resident accused of fly-tipping admitted responsibility, says the council

On 11 March, a housing officer discovered evidence which linked a local household to the illegal dumping of waste.

When confronted, the resident admitted responsibility and was issued a fixed penalty notice of £1,000.

Mr McGurran added: "It is not only disrespectful to the environment but also to our residents who do the right thing and take pride in the places they call home."

He thanked teams who investigated the offence and hoped the fine would discourage others from committing similar offences.

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