Unlicensed ‘man with a van’ picks up £1,000 fine

June 5, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

A Rayleigh resident has pleaded guilty in court for failing to provide a copy of his Waste Transfer Licence after a large pile of waste was dumped outside a charity shop in Leigh-on-Sea.

Mr. David Riley of The Drive, Rayleigh, pleaded guilty at Southend Magistrates Court on Tuesday 21 May 2019 for failing to provide a copy of his Waste Transfer Licence as required under Section 34 (5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

On Sunday 19 February 2017, a large pile of waste and domestic bric-a-brac was dumped outside a South East Essex Animal Trust charity shop in Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea. Witnesses reported the incident to the council, along with the vehicle registration. Officers then commenced a full investigation.

Enquiries into the registration number led officers to Mr Riley, who was registered as trading as ‘Cheaper than a Skip – Man with a van hire and House Clearances and Removals’. Mr Riley then failed to provide a copy of his Waste Transfer Licence – A statutory requirement for all businesses involved with the transfer of waste materials.

Following his guilty plea, Mr Riley was fined £800, was ordered to pay £200 towards the costs and was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge. 

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “Whilst I’m sure the charity shop welcomes any donation, there is a big difference between donating unwanted goods and dumping waste. 

“The fine agreed by the court is a fair punishment, and I hope that this will deter others from carrying out similar acts.”

Waste Transfer Licences

Waste transfer licences and Waste collection and disposal licences are both available from The Environment Agency via www.gov.uk and they are a legal requirement for those involved in the commercial transportation and disposal of waste. Fines of up to £5,000 can be issued to those who are not registered.

Customers are encouraged to check for these licences when employing any business involved in the transfer of any waste material, as customers themselves can be held responsible for any irresponsibly dumped refuse from an unlicensed operator.

·         Check they hold a waste carrier licence. You can check by visiting the Environment Agency website or by calling 03708 506506

·         Ask to see a copy of the licence and check that it is has not expired

·         Get a written receipt with a description of the waste and details of where it is being taken

·         Note down details of the vehicle that is taking your waste away.

Unlicensed waste operators often offer cheaper rates to remove waste, bulky household goods and furniture when they advertise. If the rates appear very low, then it indicates that the contractors may not be paying to appropriately dispose of the waste material – and it could end up dumped as a result. 

Anyone who witnesses the illegal dumping of waste is urged to report it at MySouthend.

Residents are also reminded that a range of materials can be recycled at the household waste and recycling centres within the borough. The council’s waste and recycling collections partner Veolia operates a bulky waste collection service for larger items.