Environmental crime officers are highlighting the case of a city company which failed to provide the correct paperwork when required.

S&A Paving Stafford Ltd, based on the Neachells Lane Industrial Estate in Willenhall, was initially investigated after a vehicle fully laden with waste was seen driving around fly tipping hot spots on Cannock Chase.

Officers from South Staffordshire Council believed the vehicle to be connected with the company and suspected an intention to fly tip. They contacted environmental crime officers at City of Wolverhampton Council to raise their concerns.

Under an investigation, S&A Paving Stafford Ltd was required to provide waste transfer notes. All businesses are legally required to keep such notes and produce them on request.

But the company failed to comply and were issued with a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice, which they subsequently failed to pay.

The business was prosecuted and entered a guilty plea to failing to provide documentation as required by the Duty of Care under Section 34 Environmental Protection Act 1990.

At a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court on August 14, the company was fined £161, ordered to pay £475 costs and a victim surcharge of £64.

The costs awarded to the council will be reinvested back into the environmental crime service, helping to bring people to justice who fail to dispose of their waste correctly.

The prosecution sits alongside ongoing work under the council’s Shop a Tipper campaign where anyone suspected of dumping rubbish will have their images shared to appeal for information to help identify them.

If the information provided leads to successful identification, and Fixed Penalty Notices are issued and paid or a prosecution takes place, residents receive a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Card.

Residents can contact 01902 552700 with information or report online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/reportflytipping

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “This prosecution shows that officers will look at a variety of different approaches as we continue our work to investigate suspected fly tippers.

“We want businesses suspected of fly tipping to know that they cannot get away with ignoring requests from the council and we will not hesitate to prosecute if they do not comply.

“Unfortunately, fly tipping is a national problem, but our local work is making a difference and I’m pleased our investigations have resulted in us bringing this case to court.”

Residents are reminded that waste can be disposed of free of charge at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) which are open 7 days a week from 8am – 4pm. Centres are at Anchor Lane, Lanesfield, Bilston and Shaw Road, Wolverhampton.

A bulky item collection service to dispose of big unwanted items is also available, find out more at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/book-bulky-item-collection