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Residents across Tendring are being advised to take more
care over when they put their bags of household rubbish out - or
risk being given a £75 fixed penalty notice.
Tendring District Council (TDC) is taking action against those
who persistently leave the bags out on the pavement outside their
homes days before they are due to be collected.
In the past year more than 100 fixed penalty notices have been
served for littering - a number of which have involved people
ignoring the guidance and more will follow if the culprits are
identified.
Putting the bags out too early can create a hazard - especially
for the blind or partially-sighted - and it also leads to the bags
being ripped open by cats or birds and the waste being blown
about.
Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at TDC,
said the Council did not want to have to dish out fixed penalty
notices but would not hesitate to do so if necessary.
"We have given out advice on this subject over and over again
and we ask that residents put their black bags out either on the
day of collection or the night before," he said.
"They should ideally be put just inside the gate or the boundary
of the property the night before collection at the earliest.
Putting black sacks out earlier than this is tantamount to
littering."
"However, some people put their next load of rubbish out on the
pavement just a matter of hours after the collection which means it
can be left there for almost a week."
Cllr Talbot said that where bags are put out too early the
Council will make enquiries in an attempt to discover the owner. If
identified they are liable for a fixed penalty notice.
Residents have already been fined in Clacton - but the problem
is district wide.
"All we are asking is that people try to help us keep the
Tendring District as clean and tidy as possible - and not cause
problems for other residents," added Cllr Talbot.
"Some may think it is harsh to give out a fixed penalty notice
but I am sure the majority of people will support action being
taken against those who consistently ignore the advice which is
there to benefit everyone." |