Fly-tippers be warned

Oldham Council is happy to support and work with residents who love where they live.   

However, officials are continuing to take action against those who think they can fly-tip or dump rubbish – leaving others to clear up the mess.

The Council has recently prosecuted a number of people at Tameside Magistrates’ Court (May 17).

Lisa Price (27), of Ripponden Road, was issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) on November 7, 2017, for leaving black bags in an alleyway to the rear of Ripponden Road.

She failed to pay the fine and was issued with summons to appear in court.

She failed to attend and was found guilty in her absence and fined £220 with £381 costs, plus a £30 victim surcharge.

Rachel Booth (40), of Bramble Avenue, Oldham, pleaded guilty for failing in her duty of care after waste was found dumped on Park Bridge Road, Oldham on October 17, 2017.

She was fined £150 plus £200 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Joanne Powell (49), of Park Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty to a similar offence after officers found two piles of waste dumped in separate locations (below), to the rear of Park Road and on a pavement on Hinton Street.

She was fined £60 with £100 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge.

The day before Natalie Stewart (30), of County Street, Oldham, was prosecuted for fly-tipping after her waste was found dumped on four different occasions. 

She was fined £60 with £500 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Failure to pay an FPN after waste was found near Jenny Street, Oldham on October 2 last year landed Lewis Slater (28), of Roundtree House, Oldham, in court.

He failed to pay the FPN and failed to attend court and was found guilty in his absence.

He was fined £220 with £381 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We, and the majority of our residents, work to keep Oldham clean and green.

“Unfortunately, a small majority of people continue to break the law and think they can get away with it, which is wrong. We shouldn’t have to keep tidying up after irresponsible people who blight our communities.

“Our teams will continue to investigate and take action if we find evidence.”

Recently the Council launched an innovative approach to tackling fly-tipping and teamed up with environmental charity Hubbub and the social enterprise IF Oldham.

Cllr Shah added: “Residents such as Ruth Major, with her ‘One Piece of Rubbish Campaign’ and groups such as the Ghazali Trust, are already acting as ambassadors and have taken a stand against fly-tipping 

“If residents want to reclaim their space and restore pride in their area, we’re really happy to support them with finance and guidance.

“A number of communities have already transformed alleyways and we would urge people who want to do the same to get in touch.”

For ideas, inspiration and information on how you could win an alleyway makeover, please visit: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/cleanstreets or www.hubbub.org.uk/lovewhereyoulive