Dear Rhondda Cynon Taff Council,

I am writing to request information about the case of Tracey John, who was fined for littering by your council officers.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-no...

Mrs John claims that she was unfairly fined, on the basis of two facts: she dropped the cigarette butt on her own porch, not on the street; she then picked it up and put it in her pocket. She later received the on-the-spot fine through the post.

This case appears to suggest a gross abuse of powers by your officer. The power to fine obviously does not stretch to private land. Defra guidance clearly states that the person must have moved away from the litter, for them to be fined.

To make my request clear, I would like to know:

1. Whether the case against Mrs John has been dropped. If so, whether she will receive a formal notification or apology.

2. Your proceedures for training officials in the correct and accurate use of on-the-spot fines for littering.

3. Whether you have any proceedures for disciplining or otherwise holding to account officials who are found to have issued unjust on-the-spot fines.

Yours faithfully,

Josie Appleton