A mum who placed two extra rubbish bags out next to her bin ready for collection has been slapped with a £75 fine – for ‘LITTERING’.
Joanna Beck, 38, couldn’t believe it when she received a letter from Hyndburn Council after ‘littering’ on the highway.
But mum-of-three Joanna, who doesn’t work, is struggling to pay the fine within 14 days – and if she doesn’t pay she could end up in court.
Joanne, of Accrington, Lancs., said: “It’s frustrating – I do not mind paying for it – but it’s the fact you do not get any help in flexible ways of paying.
“I want the council to offer a flexible way to pay, such as instalments or an extension – not everyone has £75 to pay within 14 days.
“I’m a stay-at-home mum and have three children and I simply can’t pay it.”
Her father-in-law Julian Wilkinson, 70, added: “She hasn’t got 75p – never mind £75.”
Joanne has lived at the property for around 18 months and says she did not know that putting out extra bags next to her bin would leave her with a fine.
However, councillor for the area Joyce Holgate said leaflets were delivered to every single household telling residents they could not put out extra bags of rubbish.
Cllr Holgate said: “If you go on the council website it’s quite clearly stated – but she has only lived here for less than two years.
“I have already spoken to the council about allowing her to pay in instalments.”
Cllr Paddy Short added: “The system exists to stop fly-tipping with which we have major problems in the borough – the £75 is to try stop fly tipping.”
