RESIDENTS who illegally dump rubbish in Wirral alleyways can expect to be dealt with by the courts if they fail to respond to Fixed Penalty Notices.

Five cases were heard by Wirral magistrates court on Tuesday morning and the verdict was in favour of Wirral Council in all five, with the offenders ordered to pay increased fines, court costs and a victim surcharge.

The prosecutions came after evidence was gathered in Birkenhead, Wallasey and New Ferry by Wirral’s Waste Investigation Unit acting on complaints from members of the public.

The investigations of operatives from the unit – which is a partnership between Wirral Council and Biffa – led to the names and addresses of possible culprits being identified.

But those individuals failed to provide an explanation as to how their waste came to be dumped in the alleyway and were issued with Fixed Penalty notices carrying a fine of £75.

The non-payment of these fixed penalties led to the court action.

Five residents were summoned to appear Wirral magistrates to answer a charge under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – leaving of litter.

None of the residents appeared in person and in one case, a resident admitted liability by post.

They received a fine of £150 – double the original fixed penalty – and ordered to pay costs of £175 and an additional £20 victim surcharge.

The other four offenders were found guilty in their absence and fined £225, with costs of £175 and the £22 victim surcharge on top.

Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies said: “The council is investing significant resources into keeping alleyways clean and tidy.

“Over a two year period we have committed to increasing the amount of times we clean the alleyways from 12 weekly to every four weeks, after many responsible residents raised concerns over the level of dumped household waste.

“During this time it has been equally important to take those responsible for continually dumping their rubbish to task.”

Cllr Davies added: “I am delighted that the magistrate has recognised the negative impact that dumped rubbish can have on people living nearby, as well as the unnecessary expense of removing the waste.

“It is very important that the Council continues to remind households to use the waste bins and free household waste recycling centres for disposing of their rubbish, or face the consequences.” 

In April, Wirral Council announced it was investing £400,000 over two years in an effort to improve the condition of alleyways around terraced streets.

The new Waste Investigation Unit has since referred around 500 reports to the Environmental Enforcement Team, leading to more than 150 Fixed Penalty Notices.

Free replacement wheelie bins are currently being offered to residents living in terraced housing whose bin has been stolen or damaged beyond repair.

Cllr Bernie Mooney, cabinet member for environmental and sustainability, said: “The council has also completed more than 700 bin repairs in the past 12 months, saving residents the cost of replacing their bins.

“Households are urged to contact us if they do not have a grey or green bin to avoid action being taken against them for failing to contain their waste.”