A HOUSEHOLDER whose rubbish was flytipped in Oldbury has been hit in the pocket with a £400 fine.

Council officers found four black bags dumped on the pavement in Meadow Rad, Oldbury.

As part of investigations they visited an address in Smethwick and showed the resident photos of the waste.

The householder said they’d paid a “friend” to take it to the tip in Oldbury but refused to give any details.

The officers explained that householders are responsible for their waste right up to the point of disposal, and as they had not done this it was a breach of their householder’s duty of care.

This carries a fixed-penalty fine of £400, which was issued to the householder.

A Sandwell council spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping is not just anti-social, it’s a crime.

"It can be dangerous, causes pollution and costs the taxpayers of Sandwell significant amounts of money to clean up and remove.

"There’s absolutely no excuse for it and we need residents’ help to help stamp it out.

“If you are caught fly-tipping in Sandwell, you will be fined £400 and/or prosecuted.

"This is not an empty threat - we have issued 27 fixed penalty notices since October 2020, 16 for fly-tipping and 11 for householders failing in their duty of care

“We use CCTV and reports from the public to help identify the perpetrators of fly-tipping incidents, and we’re also working with Canals and Riverside Trust.

"If you have any information regarding fly-tipping please contact us in confidence on 0121 368 1177 or e-mail us at enviro_enforcement@sandwell.gov.uk."

Halesowen News:

Householders are also responsible for making sure the person who collects their waste is a licensed waste carrier by showing their licence.

Check licences at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

There is a bulky waste collection service for Sandwell residents who have large household items such as furniture, fridges, freezers.

Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/bulkywaste for details.