A NELSON man has been fined £200 for leaving out his wheelie bin long after collection day.
Stephen Plumb, of Fir Street, failed to appear in Reedley Magistrates’ Court but the case was proved in his absence.
The offence happened while 52-year-old Mr Plumb lived in Whitehall Street, Nelson.
On July 19th, the council’s waste management team served a notice on Mr Plumb for keeping his bin permanently on the backstreet of his property. A fortnight after the notice was issued, an officer returned to inspect and the bin was still out on the back street.
Shortly afterwards, a fixed penalty notice for £80 was sent to Mr Plumb, but he failed to pay this and was subsequently taken to court, where the Magistrate fined him £200 and ordered him to pay £70 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. The court ordered payment of the total of £285 in 28 days.
Coun. John David, who represents environmental services in Pendle, said: “People who leave out their bins long after collection day have no regard for the appearance of their neighbourhood.
“We can and do – as this prosecution proves – take action against people who persistently do this. It’s unsightly and inconsiderate.
“Hopefully this prosecution will make other people think twice about leaving their bins out in the future.”
It is an offence, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to leave out bins and boxes after they have been emptied.
To report an area where bins are persistently left out after collection day, call 661743 or email waste.services@pendle.gov.uk.