SUCCESSFUL enforcement action has been taken in several cases of fly-tipping. 

East Devon District Council’s Environmental Health team has recently served fixed penalty notices on three people responsible for fly tipping, as well as a member of the public seen throwing litter from a lorry. 

One case involved a resident of Ottery St Mary, who fly-tipped a large quantity of waste in Birdcage Lane and was issued with a £400 fixed penalty notice, which has now been paid. 

Another involved a young man who was seen throwing litter from the passenger window of a commercial vehicle. This action was observed by an enforcement officer in the car behind and the offender was traced and issued with an £80 fixed penalty Two further cases saw commercial and household waste dumped. Both offenders were issued with a £200 fine. 

During their investigations, the enforcement team received details of a commercial company operating in the area, which was potentially involved in fly-tipping elsewhere. Upon further investigation the council’s officers discovered that this firm was carrying waste without a permit and the Environment Agency has been informed.

The council advises that anyone employing a third party or contractor must check the credentials of the people they are using. All waste carriers, including landscape gardeners and others who take waste away, must have a licence, must provide documentation that indicates where the waste will be taken and they must provide their details. Householders and others who generate waste have a duty of care and must keep details of the vehicle being used, the name, address and telephone number of the person taking the waste away, and confirmation of where it is going. 

Cllr Tom Wright, East Devon's portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Any fly-tipping in the countryside and elsewhere is regarded as an unacceptable practice which spoils our outstanding environment. Our officers will always follow up information received and take enforcement action if possible. The recent successes in these four cases demonstrate the effective enforcement work being carried out within the Environmental Health team. 

"Householders must make sure that anyone they pass their waste onto is a registered waste carrier who will take their waste to a licensed disposal facility, otherwise they may be liable for action to be taken against them.”

For more information, visit eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/ or, alternatively, householders can use the council’s large items waste collection service on 01395 516551.