A Great Yarmouth business owner has found that not disposing of waste correctly is an expensive business.

Mrs Patsy Elphick of the Seafront Fish Bar, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth pleaded guilty, at Great Yarmouth Magistrate’s Court on Friday July 20, to contravening section 34(1)(C)(I) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for failing to exercise a proper duty of care over the waste generated from her seafront fish and chip business.

A fine of £300 with £50 towards Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s costs came after Mrs Elphick had ignored a fixed penalty notice and served by the Council and several summonses to appear in court.

“In 2006 Great Yarmouth Environmental Health Department ran Operation Shockroach along Great Yarmouth seafront to ensure that businesses were taking adequate measures to control cockroaches and that their rubbish was being taken away by authorised contractors,” explained Environmental Health Officer Kate Watts.  

“The waste side of this operation was undertaken in an attempt reduce the amount of fly tipping that occurs in the area of the seafront which spoils the amenity of the main tourist areas, can attract vermin and costs the Council £79,000 a year to clear up.

“When visiting the Seafront Fish Bar officers found that no commercial waste contract was in operation so a fixed penalty notice was served.  

“Following a number of non-appearances in court and an issue of a warrant for arrest, Mrs Elphick appeared on Friday.”  

“I am very pleased with the sentence awarded by the Court,” said Councillor Jin Shrimplin, Cabinet Member for Environment.  “It is always unfortunate when matters such as these end up with this kind of action but Mrs Elphick was given ample opportunity to comply with the law.  

“If rubbish is not transferred to an authorised waste carrier it could end up anywhere, therefore it is important that businesses have a commercial waste contract and keep all of the waste transfer notes to prove its existence.”

For further information please contact Kate Watts on 01493 846 411 or Service Manager Environmental Health Peter Astle on 01493 846410.