Carmarthenshire County Council Takes Action on Environmental Offences in August

Carmarthenshire County Council reaffirms its dedication to ensuring a clean and safe environment by issuing a number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and enforcement actions throughout August 2024. These actions address violations of environmental regulations, including littering, fly-tipping, improper waste disposal, and vehicle abandonment.

Littering Offences – £125 FPNs

The Environmental Enforcement Team issued £125 FPNs for various littering offences across the county:

• Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Penlan, Bryn, Llanelli was issued an FPN for leaving a carrier bag containing a plate on the ground.
• Morrisons Recycling Facility, Llanelli: A female resident of Heol Gwyr, Llanelli was issued an FPN for abandoning a black bag containing a fan surround at the site.
• Burry Port Recycling Facility: A female resident of Heol Gwendraeth, Burry Port was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box on the ground.
• Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Brynhyfryd was issued an FPN for depositing a bag of glass on the ground.
• Tesco Extra, Llanelli: A male resident from Felinfoel was issued an FPN for discarding McDonald’s packaging near the clothing banks.
• St Clears Bring Site: A female resident of St Clears was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box containing broken glass on the ground.
• Morrisons Carmarthen: A female resident of Ponthenry was fined for depositing a carrier bag full of household waste at the recycling facility.

Abandonment of a Vehicle – £200 FPN

• Pwll, Llanelli: A male resident of Swansea was fined £200 for abandoning a vehicle in the Pwll area.

Fly-Tipping – £400 FPN

• St Clears Bring Site: A male resident of Carmarthen Town was issued a £400 FPN for fly-tipping multiple cardboard boxes, books, and household waste, including a black and blue bag, at the site.

Waste Receptacle Offences – £100 FPNs

Several residents were issued £100 FPNs for failing to comply with waste receptacle regulations.

• Carmarthen (Sycamore Way): A female resident was fined for placing her waste out on the incorrect day.

• Ammanford: A resident was issued an FPN for placing waste in the incorrect location.
• Llanelli (Burry Street): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing dirty items, including used puppy pads, in blue recycling bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
• Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing glass and contaminated items in blue recycling bags.
• Llanelli (Station Road): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing contaminated waste in blue bags on the wrong day and time.
• Llanelli (Stafford Street): Two female residents were issued FPNs for placing dirty items and food waste in blue recycling bags.
• Llanelli (Burry Street): Another female resident was issued an FPN for placing textiles and dirty items in blue bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
• Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A resident was issued an FPN for placing black and blue bags out on the wrong day and contaminating blue recycling bags.

Prosecutions

Carmarthenshire County Council successfully prosecuted two individuals for littering offences:

1. Water Street, Carmarthen: On 3rd January 2024, Mr. Martin Robert Tucker of Penrhiwllan, Llandysul, was witnessed throwing a cigarette butt from his vehicle. Despite being offered the opportunity to pay a £125 FPN, Mr. Tucker failed to do so. The case was referred to the magistrates, resulting in a £270 fine, £300 in costs, and an £88 victim surcharge.
2. Vaughan Street, Llanelli: Mr. Stuart Allen, a Llanelli resident, was seen discarding a cigarette end in January 2024. After failing to pay the £125 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), the case was brought to court. Mr. Allen was then issued a £120 FPN, and the magistrates imposed £200 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Enforcement Notices Issued

In August 2024, Carmarthenshire County Council issued:

• 39 Section 46 Notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for failure to adhere to waste disposal regulations.
• 12 Section 47 Notices under the same act for offences related to commercial and industrial waste disposal.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation, and Sustainability, said:

These enforcement actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting the environment. We urge residents to adhere to waste disposal regulations and to report any offences.”

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping or other environmental violations through the Council’s website or by calling 01267 234567.