Hull City Council has successfully prosecuted a Hull resident under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for failing to ensure her waste was lawfully disposed at a licenced facility.

Prosecution
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  • Council: Hull City Council
  • Fine: 12 month conditional discharge
  • Costs: £150
  • Total: £150

Ann Sillitoe, 50, of Sandford Close, Bransholme, pleaded guilty before Hull Magistrates to the offence after paying three young males to remove and dispose of her household waste. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge and instructed to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

This investigation which was brought to the Neighbourhood Nuisance Team’s attention following a report from a concerned member of the public who had witnessed the three males removing wastes from the address of Sillitoe to Humberside Police. The waste was then subsequently deposited within vegetation between Holwell Road and Northcott Primary School.

Sillitoe admitted during the investigation she had paid the males £30 following her previously obtaining a quote of £200 to have the wastes removed and lawfully disposed from her property. She admitted she had not asked for any identification of the persons she had paid, or checked to determine whether they were legally permitted to remove her waste.

Under section 34(2A) Environmental Protection Act 1990 it makes it an offence for an occupier of any domestic property to fail to take reasonable measures to secure the transfer of any of their household waste to an authorised person (this is commonly referred to as a registered waste carrier – these are persons who have been registered with the Environment Agency to lawfully allow them to collect, and transport other persons wastes).

Councillor John Hewitt, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood and Communities, said:

“Residents need to ensure that anyone who offers to remove waste can produce a copy of their registered waste carriers licence, issued by Environment Agency.

“If any person offers to remove waste and can’t produce their certificate, I would urge residents to not to use their services. If you do there is a chance, as in this case, that waste could be dumped and residents could be prosecuted”.

Mark Cornall, Neighbourhood Nuisance Team Leader said:

“Everyone plays a crucial role in tackling fly tipping by ensuring that rubbish is disposed of responsibly and in accordance with the law.

“If you see anyone fly tipping waste, please help us to make them pay both for the crime they have committed and the clean-up costs concerned”.