A WOMAN has claimed a fine her son received from the council for alleged fly tipping was “extortionate”.
Cheryl Porter of Howe Circle in Ringland, is furious that her son Rhys, 25, was served a fine of £400 over an alleged fly tipping incident.
According to Ms Porter, the incident happened on the morning of Thursday, December 5, on their street and alleged that Rhys had been part of a fly tipping occurrence following on from bonfire night the evening before.
Cheryl Porter has been left furious over her son’s fly tipping fine (Image: Cheryl Porter) She said: “He was given this fine for supposedly littering that day, but we’ve always had a very large, controlled bonfire in Howe Circle on Bonfire Night, and this year was no different.
“He was sent a letter a week or so later saying he was being given that fine for ‘littering’ but we don’t understand why this has happened this year when we’ve been doing it for almost five decades with no problem.”
According to his mother, Mr Porter was asked to fill out paperwork from the council explaining his actions, but the family claim they have not received any form of response from the council.
The family were shocked to receive the fine from the council (Image: Cheryl Porter)
Ms Porter explained: “There’s been no real explanation behind this from the council. They haven’t even acknowledged the forms Rhys sent back to them, which I think is just ridiculous.
“The first letter we got about the fine had our address on it, but was actually addressed to someone else that we don’t know, and when I emailed the council to ask who this was, I got no reply, and just another letter with Rhys’ name on it.”
Ms Porter says the bonfire is a regular occurrence, with her son Rhys, husband and a few other neighbours helping the council to ensure there isn’t any toxic or dangerous items, including plastic, caught in the waste.
They regularly keep the cardboard for the bonfire wrapped in a black bag which was torn open by a council worker who found a section with Rhys’ name and address.
“He’s paid the fine now, but I just think it was a bit extortionate as it was only cardboard in there. It wasn’t like it was anything hazardous, or dangerous or toxic.”
According to Ms Porter, her son and neighbours are always liaising with the council, fire service and police about the bonfire.
She said: “We always engage when they come round to check the bonfire is safe and well controlled, and this is the first time I think we’ve had a problem.”
A Newport Council spokesperson said: “Fly tipping is a serious environmental crime, and our priority is to protect the community and the environment.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping and assess each case carefully and act based on the evidence collected.
“The council can confirm that, following a thorough investigation of this fly-tipping incident, a fine of £400 was issued. This is the standard fine for fly-tipping offences in Wales, and the amount is set by Welsh government.”