main content Car park rubbish leads to prosecution

A West Wickham resident has been prosecuted for not paying a fixed penalty notice for a littering offence. The fine was issued after four bags of household rubbish were dumped in a car park next to a street litter bin. Ms Jennifer Allen pleaded guilty to the offence at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £215.

“We try to keep our streets safe and clean for everyone to use and it’s the same for our car parks. This car park is used by high street shoppers and having rubbish left there isn’t pleasant for them or nearby residents. West Wickham is an attractive place to live and shop and we want to ensure it stays that way” said Peter Turvey, Head of Street Environment.

The court heard that the council had received reports of an ongoing problem of waste being left in the car park at the rear of West Wickham High Street. In February, an enforcement officer investigated and found four bags of household rubbish next to a litter bin near the exit. After evidence was found linking the waste to Ms Allen, a fixed penalty notice was issued. The £80 fine must be paid within 14 days but is reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days.

A reminder letter was sent advising that the fine must be paid to prevent legal action. The fine remained unpaid and legal proceedings commenced.

Householders are reminded that waste and recycling should be placed out for collection at the edge of the property boundary within arm’s reach of the pavement. Generally, it should not be left on the pavement for collection, although in special circumstances the council may agree this. Residents with queries or difficulties should call the Customer Service Centre on 020 8313 4557.

Since the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 became law, councils have been able to issue fixed penalty notices for environmental offences instead of taking offenders to court. Fixed penalty notices ranging from £80 to £300 can be given for offences including littering, fly-tipping, not looking after your waste, graffiti, fly-posting and abandoning a vehicle.

For information on keeping our streets clean and fixed penalty notices for environmental offences, visit our neat street web page(www.bromley.gov.uk/neatstreet) or call the Customer Service Centre on 020 8313 4557.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The case was heard at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on 3rd September 2008. 
  
• Ms Allen was fined £100 with £100 costs and a £15 surcharge.
  
• Since the local elections in 2002, the council has been led by a Conservative administration. Full council is made up of 60 elected councillors – 49 Conservative, 7 Liberal Democrat and 4 Labour – representing 22 wards across the borough.

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk. 

For party political comment please contact:
Conservative - michael.tickner@zip-mail.co.uk 
Labour – john.getgood@bromley.gov.uk 
Liberal Democrat – david.mcbride@bromley.gov.uk 

Further information is available from Peter Turvey, Head of Street Environment on 020 8313 4901 or email peter.turvey@bromley.gov.uk.