Labour leader calls for flytipper to be named and shamed

Buy photos » Coun Peter McDonald. Picture by Nick Hands 1211041NHR1

BROMSGROVE’S Labour leader has described the district council’s handling of a guilty fly-tipper as disgraceful.

The Standard reported last week that a Solihull-based company had been handed a £300 fine, following a two-month investigation into rubbish dumped at the back of Rubery High Street.

But it has refused to name the firm.

Coun Peter McDonald said: “The council cares less about the people who have had to live with the mess and are more concerned with those unscrupulous people who are prepared to destroy the local environment.

“It is utterly disgraceful Bromsgrove council should use a method which protects those guilty. They should have been criminally prosecuted and publicly named and shamed.”

Deputy council leader Coun Margaret Sherrey defended the decision not to name the firm, saying a civil enforcement was quicker and cheaper.

“We have not gone through the lengthy criminal process, so therefore cannot name the people who have been punished on the spot with a fine.

“I feel naming and shaming would not be helpful here as, unless they were repeat offenders, I fail to see what would be gained from doing so.”

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