Press release: Plymouth trio banned from waste trade for fly-tipping around Cornwall

Three men from the Plymouth area have been banned from the waste trade for fly-tipping in Cornish beauty spots.

Wayne Plummer, of Burrator Avenue, Princetown, Ashley Brown, of Tollox Place, Plymouth and Michael Baggally, of Wolseley Road, Plymouth, were all given Community Orders requiring 100 hours of work after admitting the illegal deposit of household, industrial and commercial waste and not being registered waste carriers.

They dumped waste, including old sofas and carpets, in scenic locations, even setting fire to it on one occasion.
All 3 were ordered to pay £520 compensation and given a Criminal Behaviour Order for 5 years, preventing them from being involved in the waste business.

Baggallay, who had his hearing for sentencing adjourned pending a mental health assessment to establish his fitness for work, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday 23 April 2018. Plummer and Brown were both sentenced on 10 April 2018.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation between the Environment Agency, which took the lead role, South Hams Council, Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, said:

This criminal behaviour was premeditated and planned and the environmentally-sensitive locations were chosen by the defendants for their remoteness in order to better escape detection.

A spokesperson for South Hams District Council, where some of the waste was tipped, said:

I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with the Environment Agency and other local authorities to secure a conviction in this instance.

I hope this sends a message that fly-tipping will absolutely not be tolerated, and we will prosecute offenders.

On 2 November 2016, Cornwall Council was alerted to fly-tipping in the car park at Cremyll on the Rame Peninsula that included sofas and carpets. Further offences followed in January 2017 at Little Lane in Bovisand and two days later near Torpoint.

The final offence happened at Hooe Road in Plymstock when waste was dumped on a public footpath and set on fire. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue attended.

Evidence found at 3 sites linked the waste to all 3 men. The total clean-up cost was more than £5,000.

Note to the Editor:

Businesses and members of the public have a duty of care to ensure that their waste is properly dealt with. They should always check that the company removing their waste is registered as a waste carrier and ask for evidence it will be properly dealt with. Always ask for a receipt. If a waste collection company can’t satisfy you on this, don’t employ them. These simple steps can stop fly-tippers in their tracks.

Press release: Plymouth trio banned from waste trade for fly-tipping around Cornwall

Three men from the Plymouth area have been banned from the waste trade for fly-tipping in Cornish beauty spots.

Wayne Plummer, of Burrator Avenue, Princetown, Ashley Brown, of Tollox Place, Plymouth and Michael Baggally, of Wolseley Road, Plymouth, were all given Community Orders requiring 100 hours of work after admitting the illegal deposit of household, industrial and commercial waste and not being registered waste carriers.

They dumped waste, including old sofas and carpets, in scenic locations, even setting fire to it on one occasion. All 3 were ordered to pay £520 compensation and given a Criminal Behaviour Order for 5 years, preventing them from being involved in the waste business.

Baggallay, who had his hearing for sentencing adjourned pending a mental health assessment to establish his fitness for work, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday 23 April 2018. Plummer and Brown were both sentenced on 10 April 2018.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation between the Environment Agency, which took the lead role, South Hams Council, Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, said:

This criminal behaviour was premeditated and planned and the environmentally-sensitive locations were chosen by the defendants for their remoteness in order to better escape detection.

A spokesperson for South Hams District Council, where some of the waste was tipped, said:

I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with the Environment Agency and other local authorities to secure a conviction in this instance.

I hope this sends a message that fly-tipping will absolutely not be tolerated, and we will prosecute offenders.

On 2 November 2016, Cornwall Council was alerted to fly-tipping in the car park at Cremyll on the Rame Peninsula that included sofas and carpets. Further offences followed in January 2017 at Little Lane in Bovisand and two days later near Torpoint.

The final offence happened at Hooe Road in Plymstock when waste was dumped on a public footpath and set on fire. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue attended.

Evidence found at 3 sites linked the waste to all 3 men. The total clean-up cost was more than £5,000.

Note to the Editor:

Businesses and members of the public have a duty of care to ensure that their waste is properly dealt with. They should always check that the company removing their waste is registered as a waste carrier and ask for evidence it will be properly dealt with. Always ask for a receipt. If a waste collection company can’t satisfy you on this, don’t employ them. These simple steps can stop fly-tippers in their tracks.

News story: MSPs discover more about Europe’s largest military exercise

MSPs observing Exercise Joint Warrior listen to a briefing at HMNB Clyde. Crown Copyright.

Exercise Joint Warrior includes more than 11,600 military personnel from 17 nations and is directed from the Maritime Operations Centre at HMNB Clyde, Scotland’s largest military establishment.

The purpose of the visit today (April 27 2018) is to help MSPs to better understand the range of social and welfare issues relevant to Scots-based armed forces personnel, and their families.

Launched by the Parliament’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP and the Ministry of Defence in April 2017, the Armed Forces Visit Programme has already had successful fact-finding visits to the Army’s Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, RAF Lossiemouth, Moray and Royal Marine Condor, Arbroath.

The MSPs will find out how HMNB Clyde and military training areas across Scotland are used by the Royal Navy, Army and RAF to train together across air, land, sea and cyber domains, practicing “high-end” war-fighting between near-peer adversaries.

The Joint Warrior training scenarios involve multiple sovereign nations disputing resources and territories; counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling activity; information warfare; and evacuation operations. This year it is running from 21 April until 4 May.

The group also found out more about the developments at HMNB Clyde which will see it be the sole home of the UK Submarine Service from 2020 and their visit included time in a submarine control room simulator.

Naval Regional Commander Captain Chris Smith said:

The Armed Forces Visits programme helps MSPs find out more about the role and purpose of the military communities across Scotland and the issues that are important to them.

Although Defence is clearly reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Parliament’s policies and decisions affect the day to day lives of all of our Scots-based service personnel.

In addition to being home to the Submarine Service from 2020, Scotland is home to an Army Infantry Operational, Engagement and Resilience Brigade, the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert interceptors (North) and submarine hunting Maritime Patrol Aircraft flying from Lossiemouth.

The MOD has around 10,000 sailors, soldiers and air personnel living permanently in Scotland, supported by 8,000 reservists and civilians. Scottish industry benefits from Defence spending £1.5bn with it each year, supporting 10,500 private sector jobs in Scotland. The Defence Board confirmed in February 2017, that £1.7 billion would be invested to upgrade Scottish military bases over the next decade.

List of attending MSPs

Mr Richard Lochead, Scottish National Party Member for Moray
Mr Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour Member for North East Scotland
Ms Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Member for Dumbarton
Mr Maurice Corry, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for West Scotland
Mr Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for Central Scotland
Ms Annie Wells, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for Glasgow
Mr Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for Eastwood
Mr Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for Mid Scotland and Fife
Ms Michelle Ballantyne, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for South Scotland
Mr William Bowman, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for North East Scotland
Mr Brian Whittle, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for South Scotland
Mr Gordon Lindhurst, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member for Lothian

News story: The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses

The Scottish Business Taskforce of economic and business leaders came together today, Friday 27 April, to discuss ways to support some of Scotland’s most important sectors.

The taskforce, announced by Scottish Secretary David Mundell last year, aims to exert a positive influence on the development of UK Government policy and in turn, advance Scotland’s interests.

Today the panel, chaired by former UK Government Minister Andrew Dunlop, met in Edinburgh and discussed ways to unlock the provision of long term finance to grow innovative firms. The participants provided expert insight on how the British Business Bank might work in Scotland to maximise its economic impact.

Also on the agenda was a discussion of priorities for the UK Government’s export strategy and opportunities for women in leadership positions, including a proposal to establish a National Women’s Business Centre of Excellence in Scotland.

Taskforce chairman, Andrew Dunlop, said: “We know that Scotland’s economic performance lags behind the rest of UK, and we need to close that gap. These meetings are crucial for gathering expert advice and guidance as to how best to improve Scottish productivity, performance and promote strong economic growth.

“As we prepare the leave the EU, the conversations on helping innovative firms grow, boosting trade and promoting women in leadership positions are timely and valuable. The UK Government is working hard to release Scotland’s full potential through the ambitious Industrial Strategy and the insight of the taskforce will help to ensure policymakers deliver for Scottish businesses.”

The next meeting of the taskforce will take place in July 2018.

The taskforce comprises:

Marc Crothall CEO – Scottish Tourism Alliance
Prof Susan Deacon – Assistant Principal External Relations, University of Edinburgh and Chair, IoD Scotland
Jayne-Anne Gadhia – Chief Executive, Virgin Money
Jo Macsween – Vistage Group Chair and ex MD Macsween of Edinburgh
Prof. Graeme Roy – Director, Fraser of Allander, University of Strathclyde
Louise Smith – HMT Fintech envoy Scotland and Head of Design, Personal and Business Banking RBS
Douglas Smith – Chairman – Scotland, CBRE
Neil Sims – VP, Expro – North Sea
Chris Van der Kuyl – Chairman, 4J Studios
Ellis Watson – Executive Chairman DC Thomson Media
Will Whitehorn – Chair, Scottish Exhibition Centre and Clyde Space
Brian Wilson – Chair, Harris Tweed Hebrides

News story: Sir Simon Bollom appointed Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support

Sir Simon Bollom, the new Chief Executive for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). Crown copyright.

Welcoming Simon Bollom’s appointment, Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence said:

I am delighted to announce Simon’s appointment as the new Chief Executive of DE&S. His previous roles, as Chief of Materiel (Air) and more recently Chief of Materiel (Ships), means that he will bring to the role a deep understanding and knowledge of DE&S and its business. I wish him every success.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

DE&S is responsible for delivering the substantial, complex and demanding Equipment Programme. I am delighted that Simon has been appointed to this role. I look forward to working with him on the organisation’s important task of driving performance in the supply chain, building capability to support our armed forces and delivering value for the taxpayer.

DE&S Chair, Paul Skinner, said:

I would like to welcome Simon into his new role, and I am delighted that we have managed to secure somebody who already has great experience in delivering equipment and equipment support. I look forward to continuing to work with him as we carry on our important work to support the armed forces.

I should also like to thank Michael Bradley for his excellent oversight of DE&S since January following Tony Douglas’ departure.

Simon Bollom said:

I am absolutely delighted to have secured this extremely important role. The work of DE&S is vital to our nation and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead such an important organisation.

Simon Bollom has held the role of Chief of Materiel (Ships) in DE&S since April 2017. He will take up his new post on the 21st May. The appointment follows an external recruitment competition.