Fines for residents who leave their bins out after collection day
Published Wednesday 15th April 09
Thirteen Pendle people have been fined £100 each for not bringing in their bin after it was emptied.
This is an offence, under an official act called the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Councillor John David, who represents the Council's Operational Services, said :
"Sadly there are still some people in Pendle who think it is alright to leave their bin out after collection - often much to the annoyance of their neighbours.
"But it is not alright; it makes our streets look untidy, and the bins could be obstructions that cause accidents.
"I want to remind everyone in Pendle of the importance of putting your bin or recycling box away as soon as possible after we've emptied them."
When we find out about people leaving their bins out after collection day, Council staff send them a letter.
This explains the importance of bringing in their bin or recycling box and asks them, politely, to stop leaving them out.
It sets out for residents what will happen if they do carry on leaving out their bins.
After two weeks Council staff visit the area to check if the bins have been taken in.
If they are still left out, householders get a Section 46 Notice which tells them that they must only put out their bin on the day of collection, and take it in again as soon as possible.
If households still leave their bin out, they get a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice fine.
Between September 2008 and February 2009 we sent out 427 letters to households in Pendle where they had left out their bin after collection.
The good news is that 357 households co-operated with us and took their bins in.
To the 70 households which didn't take their bins in after getting our letter we issued a Section 46 notice.
Of these 70 households, 61 began to take in their bins after collection.
13 people at the remaining nine households did not take in their bins and received a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Councillor David added :
"Twelve of these people have paid the £100 fine.
"This is a sad but necessary action to emphasise the need to do things in the same way as the vast majority of residents want to.
"I hope this is enough of an inconvenience to make them begin to put their bin away properly in the future.
"Just one person has refused to pay the fine and we're currently in the process of taking this person to court where they risk a harsher penalty."
If anyone in Pendle finds it difficult to put out and take in their bin or recycling box because of mobility problems, they can ask the Council for help.
They should call the Council on (01282) 661743 and ask for an application form for assisted collection.
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