AN ELDERLY borough resident has been issued with a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping following her visit to a borough recycling centre.
Beryl Tunmore, 79, took some glass bottles and two small black bags of brick-a-brack to Arborfield Park bottle bank.
After dropping the bottles in the bottle bank, she considered putting her two bags into a small bin there, but realising they were too big, she placed them beside it instead, where she hoped they would be collected.
Her visit was recorded on Wokingham Borough Council’s CCTV footage, and she was sent a fixed penalty notice for Unauthorised Depositing of Waste.
The council’s notice describes Beryl’s drop-off inaccurately as ‘multiple black bags of household waste’ despite the council’s own footage clearly showing that there were just two small black bags (containing charity shop items).
Despite her attempts to explain that she had had no intention of fly-tipping, her neighbour says she was met with ‘lack of understanding’ by Wokingham Borough Council.
(The above photo of Arborfield Park bottle bank was taken on a different day, and shows other residents’ waste.)
The council’s website states that residents ‘can be issued with a £400 fine’ if waste is found fly-tipped.
Beryl was issued with a £500 fine.
Fly-tipping is, of course, a serious issue, with repeat offenders known to be dumping many tonnes of waste from vehicles at roadsides.
But concerned neighbour Marion McCallum is angry at the way Beryl has been treated.
She said: “To charge a pensioner – who admits she made a mistake – such a large fine for two small bags seems harsh and inflexible.
“Beryl is a very sweet lady.
“She’s never committed a crime in her life, and she was certainly unaware that her actions would be considered fly tipping.
“She just thought she was dropping off two recycling bags beside a bin.
“The fly-tipping notices at the site are not large and she didn’t spot them – remember, she’s nearly 80.
“She and I have both tried to explain this to the council, but the two women dealing with the matter have been abrupt and very heavy-handed with us.
“They had absolutely no understanding or compassion, and merely accused Beryl of committing an offence and a crime.
“This is just two small bags we’re talking about – not a mattress.”
Beryl has paid the fine, for which she had to borrow £500 from her daughter..
“She can ill afford to pay this,” said Marion, “But she has paid, and the council has now closed the matter.
“£500 is an extortionate amount for a mistake committed by an elderly lady who thought she was doing the right thing.”
Beryl has never denied having dropped off the two bags, and accepts she made an error.
She hopes her experience will alert others who might inadvertently make the same unfortunate mistake that she has.
“She’s getting really stressed about this, and she’s such a sweetheart,” said Marion.
“I have felt really sorry for her.
“She feels she’s in so much trouble, but she’s not – it was a genuine mistake.
“The council keeps saying she committed an offence as if she’s some kind of criminal.
“I’m sorry, but she’s an elderly lady, and she’s made a mistake – nothing more.
“I hate injustice, and this feels like bureaucracy gone mad – nothing short of persecution of an elderly lady.”
A council spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping, including leaving waste next to public bins, is illegal and can have a negative impact on our communities and environment.
“We assess each case carefully and take action based on the evidence available and national guidance.
“We apply our enforcement policies consistently and fairly to make sure all residents are treated equally and that our public spaces are protected.
“Local recycling sites and bottle banks are clearly marked with signage to discourage fly-tipping and to guide residents on correct disposal.”
For information on the council’s fly-tipping policy, visit: wokingham.gov.uk
