Wokingham Borough Council has been accused of “cruel harrassment” by a market trader who was issued with the threat of a £5,000 fine.
The trader, who wishes to remain anonymous, said an officer acted in a “threatening” way when asking for documents regarding disposal of waste and recycling.
A section 34 notice, which covers matters relating to health and safety, was subsequently issued.
The trader, who is relatively new to Wokingham Market, told Wokingham Today that it felt like the business was being singled out.
According to the owner, the business has all the required paperwork and certificates. The trader spoke to other retailers who suggested they’d never been asked for documentary evidence of how their waste is disposed of.
In reply, a spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “It is our role to ensure all businesses meet their responsibility to dispose of waste correctly.
“It is a statutory requirement for businesses to have a waste agreement that sets out how they will dispose of any waste they produce lawfully.
“We also recognise the role of traders in supporting town centre vitality and we will, where possible, look to advise or educate, and where appropriate we will take necessary action if waste isn’t being dealt with appropriately.”
