We are determined to keep the Parish of Bickleigh a green and pleasant place to live in and to visit.  Fly tipping is unpleasant, unhygienic, often dangerous, and unsightly.  It is also illegal.

To report fly tipping please telephone South Hams District Council's Customer Services line - 01803 861234. If you want to leave anonymous information call their 24 hours line on 01803 861262.

South Hams will remove fly tipped refuse from public roads and pavements.  They have a street scene team whose duties include waste enforcement.

There are laws under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deter people from dropping litter and illegally dumping and carrying waste.  South Hams' officers will enforce these laws and may issue fixed penalty notices or prosecute anyone found acting unlawfully.

Fly tipping

This is the deposit of any waste without a licence or permit. A person who commits an offence of fly tipping is liable on conviction to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Fly tips on private land

For advice on removal of bulky waste or to inform the council of incidents of fly tipping, or if you have concerns about waste on private land that is causing a health hazard or an eyesore, please call their Customer Services Team on 01803 861234.

Littering

Litter is not just wrappers, cans, bottles or packaging; it includes chewing gum, cigarette ends, food and large items such as bags of rubbish.  South Hams District Council can summons offenders to court where the maximum penalty is £2,500.  Instead of court proceedings the Council can choose to issue a £75 fixed penalty notice to be paid within 14 days.

How can you help

If you witness anyone dropping  litter or fly tipping, e.g. from a car, please note down as many details of the incident as possible.  For example the time, precise location, details of the items disposed of, and the identity of the person or vehicle registration number.

You can report this information  to 01803 861234, or email streetscene@southhams.gov.uk.

If you have waste to dispose of that is not the normal household waste that the South Hams District Council collects, e.g. old kitchen units or waste from a building project, then please do not allow an unlicensed waste carrier to take it. It is likely to be fly tipped. If the waste is traced to you, you will probably be prosecuted for passing your waste to an unauthorised person especially if you cannot give the details of the person who cleared away your rubbish.

Make sure anyone offering to clear your rubbish is a licensed waste carrier.  They should be able to tell you that there are.  You can find the nearest licensed waste carrier through the local business directories or telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.  Tell them your post code and they will give you details of your local carriers. Or you can check their public registers on their web site www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

If the waste carrier does not give you a proper receipt it is most likely they are operating illegally.  If you use this type of person you will be contributing to fly tipping in the countryside which has to be cleared up at the cost of the council tax payer.

Enforcement Activity

In 2008/9, South Hams District Council undertook 161 investigations into waste offences such as fly tipping.  Many in remote areas in the countryside. Amongst other outcomes 72 fixed penalties notices were issued and some 38 summonses requested.

Bickleigh Parish Council supports the actions taken by the District Council and will offer full co-operation in the pursuit of offenders. 

Barrie Spencer - 11 March 2011