Home owners in the Burnham-On-Sea area have this week been warned they risk heavy fines if they have rubbish taken away by unlicenced traders.
It comes after once resident didn’t check and has been fined £400 via a Fixed Penalty Notice from Sedgemoor District Council.
“A ‘man and van’ took away bags and domestic appliances, but dumped the stuff in a field,” said council spokeswoman Claire Faun.
“Investigations into the flytip identified the resident and they admitted the offence of negligence and a Fixed Penalty Notice was issued. The resident has paid the fine promptly within 10 days and it’s been reduced to £250.”
She added: “The key to cutting down the number of fly tips and Fixed Penalty Notices is for residents and businesses never to pay cash or do deals over social media to have waste taken away.”
“Always ask to see a waste carrier licence and get a payment receipt. Also take careful note of who takes the waste away as well as the vehicle registration number of the van.”
Sedgemoor District Council can also issue fixed penalty notices for other specified offences including Littering (£75), Fly Posting (£75), Graffiti (£75), Dog poo (£75); Fly Tipping (£400), Abandoned vehicles (£200), Breach of Community Protection Notice (£100), Breach of public space protection orders (£100) and smoking ban offences (£50).
