Page 37 - BR July 2024

July 2024 July 2024
determinant of its core moral values. The way in which the seemingly intractable DORSET TRADING STANDARDS
problem of homelessness is dealt with in the UK is a positive indicator of those
values. Over the years I have also served on the Boards of an NHS Trust, London’s
largest Housing Association, Peabody Trust, and one the country’s largest welfare- Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service check and
to-work charities, Shaw Trust. Those roles (and others) have given me deep approve businesses so you don’t have to.
insights into the struggles of so many people whose lives share many parallels with For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or
my own early years. More importantly, I am proud to have been able to call 08454 040506.
contribute to improving things for some.
To report or seek advice about problems you have
One role of which I am especially proud is my three years as a founding member experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506.
of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) – the body charged
by Parliament with ensuring that the expenses scandal uncovered by the Daily Stopping fly-tipping together
Telegraph in 2009 could never happen again. Not only were we successful (you
no longer hear of Westminster MPs abusing the expenses policies) but I am told Trading Standards investigate doorstep crime and rogue trading. Rogue traders
that the UK has become other countries’ go-to source for advice on the topic. often don’t have the necessary permissions to allow them to transport waste
produced from their work. This means they are also more likely to illegally fly-tip
From time to time, I feel the need to pinch myself as yet another remarkable building and garden waste somewhere, leading to a costly clean-up for other
chapter in life’s adventure opens up. One such was the decision by the Dean people, or for other Council services.
and Chapter of Westminster Abbey to invite me to become the High Bailiff and
Searcher of the Sanctuary. This ancient position dates back to medieval times In the 12 months from April there were over 1700 reports of illegal fly-tips in Dorset,
when the Abbey ran the City of Westminster. The two jobs (now combined) were of which almost 800 were household related.
If you produce waste, at home or from a business, you have a legal responsibility
to ensure it is disposed of legally and safely. This means making sure anyone who
is handling your
waste is licensed to
do so. It is vital that
you take steps to
check that your
rubbish will be
d i s p o s e d o f
correctly and that
you are confident
you know where it
will end up.
Did you know that
as a householder
you can be liable if
your waste is later fly-tipped? Dorset Council Environmental Enforcement Team
investigate fly-tipping to identify the waste carrier and the place the waste
originated from.
The Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005 are not there to scare
people, but to serve as a tool in the constant battle to eliminate fly-tipping and
environmental crime. Put simply, if people don’t pay illegal operators to take their
waste, the illegal operator won’t be able to fly-tip it.

32 37