Caerphilly Council tackles rogue traders and fly-tippers

Caerphilly County Borough Council has been named as one of the top performing local authorities in Wales when it comes to stopping fly-tipping.

Recent figures released by the Welsh Government show the number of recorded fly-tipping incidents fell by 21.4% in 2014/15. As a result, the cost of clearing up illegally dumped waste fell by 12.9% to £21,778.

Commenting on the figures, a council spokesperson said: “From an enforcement point of view, Caerphilly Council is both reactive and proactive in dealing with incidents.

“Where information is found in deposits we will follow the lead until it can or cannot be proven. Any cases that are prosecuted are highlighted by our media team via the website to act as a deterrent.

“We also carry out commercial waste audits where correct disposal methods are reviewed and encouraged.
“We have continued to undertake a number of collaborative clean-ups with a range of community groups, local eco-organisations and litter champions.”

The council also pointed to several initiatives it has carried out as another reason fly-tipping has fallen.
These included a recent campaign aimed at residents on what can be recycled as well as its annual Big Spring Clean campaign.

In a recent prosecution brought by the council, an Oakdale man was fined £585 and ordered to pay costs of £387 as well as a victim surcharge of £59.

Christian Evans, aged 28, of Penrhiw Avenue, admitted to Newport Magistrates that he had breached his duty of care in disposing of commercial waste under The Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The court was told he had employed an unknown person to dispose of commercial waste on his behalf, which was later dumped at Ton Y Moch Lane, Mynyddislwyn.

In the last five months, six people have been fly-tipping in the Caerphilly borough, with fines totalling just under £5,000.

• Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards department has reported that it carried out more than 60 formal actions against rogue traders.

This included 24 prosecutions, another 19 which are awaiting trial and 30 cautions.

Offences included doorstep crime, the sale of fake goods, and the sale of dodgy motor vehicles.

Of the prosecutions, the majority attracted fines totalling more than £17,000.

Consumers have also been compensated to the tune of £7,500 for offences committed against them and the council was awarded almost £17,000 in prosecution costs.

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Protection, said, “Formal action taken by our Trading Standards team has been at a fairly high level over recent years – and looking back to 2011/12 in particular, our team saw a large increase in formal enforcement activity of some 60%.

“In looking to try and determine a reason for this upward trend, it could be that in times of financial difficulty a minority of businesses that may normally comply with the law may be more inclined to potentially cut corners. Similarly, during such times consumers may also go for cheaper alternatives, which don’t always mean value for money.”