£1648 fine for fly-tipping resident
A resident has been ordered to pay over £1,600 after her household waste was dumped on council-owned land in Telford. Ms McCollum appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to failing in her duty of care regarding the disposal of her rubbish.
The court heard that the waste had been handed to another person who then dumped it illegally. While the resident claimed she believed the land was part of her own property, she admitted to regularly disposing of cardboard there because she feared her recycling bags would be stolen.
Magistrates were told that the council actually maintains the grass in the area where the waste was found. The court found her actions to be deliberate rather than a simple mistake.
Ms McCollum was hit with a fine, prosecution costs, and a victim surcharge which totalled £1,648.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said: “Duty of Care matters because it helps keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe, protecting the environment and ensuring everyone can enjoy shared spaces.
“It’s also a legal requirement, ignoring it can lead to prosecution, heavy fines, and a criminal record.”
The case is part of the council’s Winter of Action campaign, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and environmental crime across the borough.
Residents are being urged to use official channels for waste, including the recycling centres at Hortonwood and Halesfield or booking a bulky waste collection.
