Published: Wednesday, 16th November 2022
Recently the council started sprucing up the borough as part of Don’t Trash Oldham.
Alongside this improvement work the council is continuing to take enforcement action against those who think it is ok to dump rubbish or leave others to clean up their waste.
On 7 November, at Tameside Magistrates Court, the council successfully prosecuted two residents after piles of black bags containing their waste were found blighting the borough.
Earlier this year waste belonging to Ellie Livesey, of Mayfield Road found dumped on Cop Road.
Enforcement officers issued her with a Fixed Penalty Notice for a duty of care offence. She told them she had paid an unknown person to remove the waste.
The 19-year-old didn’t pay the fine so was taken to court where she pleaded guilty to a duty of care offence and was fined £80 with £200 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
Sefora Caraman, of Hollins Road also accepted a fine after admitted dumping bags of rubbish near her home.
The 26-year-old also didn’t pay but pleaded guilty to a fly-tipping offence when she appeared in court.
She was fined £225 with £200 costs and £34 victim surcharge.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Environmental crimes, such as fly-tipping and dumped rubbish, are one of the biggest issues any councillor has to deal with.
“We know from speaking to residents that it frustrates and annoys them. We feel exactly the same because it is unsightly and unhealthy.
“That’s why we are continuing to take action against those who think it is ok to dump their waste where they want, while at the same time carrying out community improvement work.
“If you don’t want to be named and shamed, get rid of your rubbish responsibly.
“That means check the bloke with a van who said he’ll take your waste away for £20 has a valid waste carrier licence. If they don’t, the chances are they’ll just dump it somewhere and then you’ll be the one who could be facing a fine or a date in court.”
In the first year of Don’t Trash Oldham the council handed out more than 380 fines for environmental crimes and successfully prosecuted 44 people. Other cases are pending.
For more information on Don’t Trash Oldham – including how to report environmental crimes and to check if a waste carrier has a licence– visit www.oldham.gov.uk/donttrasholdham