I've been served an Enforcement notice - confused.

[WelshMoth]

Just opened today's post and, in my name (but with next door's address), I've been sent an enforcement notice served under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act, 1990.

It says that I've been served this notice because the Council have evidence in my name found in waste removed from the rear of a large road in my nearest town on the 30th of October.

I'm really confused. I have no idea what this means or how this happened. I'm not a litterbug - am the exact opposite.

I teach in the nearby Comprehensive but this is about 1 mile from where the 'evidence' was found.

I've googled maps and I don't recognise the road so it isn't one on my route. I may have used it recently because I got tangled up in the one way system in that area, got lost on my way to somewhere because of a diversion, but am pretty certain it wasn't on that date, plus I didn't stop or get out of my car.

The only thing I can think of is that I've cleaned my car - the usual routine of grabbing scraps/wrappers from my car and binning it in the nearest bin I can find - but even then, I never dump it- I always, always always bin it safely.

The letter doesn't actually tell me what I have to do now - it includes a reminder of how to dispose of waste and a calendar for kerbside collections and recycling for my area.

A third bit of paper tells me how to appeal and whether the court will either quash or modify or dismiss the appeal.

I AM TOTALLY BAFFLED and just a little stressed about this. I've rang the Council telephone number, but of course, there's no one there this morning.

Has anyone come across this?

I know people say "It's not me Gov, I'm totally honest" but honestly, I recycle everything I can, keep a bag in my car for rubbish, I've been known for reporting other cars who bung stuff out their window to the non-emergency line.

Help!

I'd imagine they'd have photographic evidence @WelshMoth, so they should be able to provide it if requested.

I wonder (this might be very far fetched) has someone taken some rubbish from your recycle bin attempting to do identity theft, then chucked the paperwork somewhere near where the enforcement letter has said? Just a thought but probably way out.

I doubt it's a valid notice, given that nobody of that name lives at the address they have given... I would definitely point out to the Council in any appeal!!

OP, what I am thinking is that a load of paper work has been fly tipped with your details in it.

Based on what you have said about your name and neighbours address has alarm bells ringing about your details being used fraudulently for something. Which is probably why then the perpetrators are disposing of the paperwork in some back alley somewhere.

You need to ring the council to get to the bottom of what they've found. I would also be doing a credit check just to make sure no one has been using your details for anything else!

that linked story is why my house is full of rubbish, I so dont want to chuck things away!

Quite scary how someone who thinks they are doing the 'right' thing by disposing of rubbish in a bin can get hit with a £200 fine. 😮

"I've been known for reporting other cars who bung stuff out their window to the non-emergency line."
Do you think maybe one of those cars has reported you to get back at you?

Just to point out, a bin in a supermarket car park or petrol station isn't a public litter bin. It isn't owned, monitored or emptied by the council - it's privately owned by the supermarket or petrol station and they are responsible for it.

So if you have put rubbish from your car into one of those, that really is perfectly fine and won't be the issue.

I think you getting in a tiz with all this talk of cleaning you car out, getting lost, maybe going down that street.

Did you dump rubbish in this street ? if not then leave all the other stuff behind.

Firstly I would talk to the council and ask about the discrepency in name and address, as thye have got soemthing wrong. Then go form there

Some if the suggestions on this thread are hilarious

@WelshMoth. Don’t worry about it it’s just a ‘warning’. Give the council a call tomorrow to satisfy your curiosity.

I guess refuse disposal is a serious matter given the state this world is in.

I hate to be tangled up in it though - I do the best I can to be responsible and careful.

I think the most worrying aspect is someone saying 'we've got your details off the rubbish you dumped' when the actual details they are have wrong (name and address not matching up).

Which is why I'd assume it's a scam or someone isn't doing their job properly.

Thanks all. I'll be following it up, most definitely. I'll update you tomorrow.

Be careful not to muddy the waters when you get in touch. You are asking them check whether they mean you or your next door neighbour and only if they mean you, you want to see their evidence. Don't start talking about putting your rubbish in the wrong bin or driving down the wrong road - save any explanations for when you have seen their evidence.

Ok Lizzzy that's fair advice.
I tend to turn into a bumbling idiot when stressed.

I'll ask what they found, how they identified it to me and how they gained my address?

@Jimdandy I was about to message you to ask you if you could help me with an assignment on enforcement but I wonder if you might be my lecturer (enforcement officer in the making here )

@WelshMoth no I’m not your Lecturer!

I used to be an enforcement officer (well I was the team leader) that enforced fly tipping, littering, dog fouling, bins on the street, graffiti etc. I’ve issued loads of fpns or supervised the others in my team issuing.

OP I wouldn’t worry too much, if you phone the council they should give you details but it isn’t a fine it’s just to specify how to present your waste.

How did you get on with the council today?

I didn't ring 🙈
I had a really difficult problem arise today at school which took up every single minute until 5:50 - a wee break and that was it. Will ring tomorrow definitely.

Good luck getting through to them tomorrow and hoping it’s just a misunderstanding.

Sorry to hear about your crappy day today!

Hope tomorrow is a better day and you get some answers about the letter!

Any update? Do hope you've been able to get to the bottom of this and that it is in fact nothing to concern you

@Kidlacky what are you talking about??

Did you ring today @WelshMoth ?

I rang. Spoke to someone and they confirmed that a large amount of waste had been dumped in a garden of a property on that road.

She went through a few questions with me without revealing what the actual waste was (my job, location, I told her the route I take etc) and she asked me whether I knew what next door's job is and name. As soon as I told her his job, she confirmed that there's obviously been an admin error and that the letter wasn't intended for me.

She was lovely, told me not to worry about it and that my name has been removed from that notice.

Phew!!!