Pensioners Threatened with £1,000 Fines for Charity Donations in Council Enforcement Error
Two pensioners in Tonbridge and Malling were left distressed after receiving threats of substantial fines for attempting to donate clothing to a children's charity, in what the local council has since admitted was a mistaken enforcement action.
Council Accuses Elderly Residents of Fly-Tipping Over Charity Bags
Barbara Wheeler, 73, and Margaret Bull, 84, both residents of the borough, placed bags filled with clothing items outside their homes for collection by a disabled children's charity. However, instead of the donations being picked up, the women received letters from enforcement firm Kingdom, acting on behalf of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, accusing them of littering and fly-tipping offences.
Ms Wheeler's letter warned of legal action for a 'suspected waste offence', advised her to seek legal counsel, and stated she could face a fine of up to £1,000 if she failed to respond. Meanwhile, Ms Bull was issued a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice, with payment demanded within 14 days, after an enforcement officer allegedly witnessed her littering.
Residents Express Distress and Concern Over Harsh Policies
The incident has caused significant emotional turmoil for both women, who are widows having lost their husbands over a year ago. Ms Wheeler, a grandmother of ten, reported losing sleep over the threat and expressed frustration at what she perceives as overzealous prosecution by cash-strapped councils.
'I know councils are strapped for money, but they are just going round prosecuting people,' she said. 'I had walked around to people who put charity shop bags out, I knocked on their doors and said 'please take it in, you will be prosecuted, I've got a fine, you'll get a fine'. They couldn't believe it, they said, 'it's a charity shop bag, how can it be fly-tipping?' I've lost sleep over this. I'm a pensioner as well.'
Both residents initially suspected the letters were part of a scam, highlighting the confusion and fear generated by the enforcement actions. Ms Wheeler, a semi-retired cleaner, emphasized that her donation bag contained only items like jumpers, a cardigan, scarves, and gloves, and she worries that such policies could deter people from supporting charities in need.
'I think it's dreadful, these charities need people's help,' she added. 'It was only bags of clothes that we put out, that's all it was. It's not fair – these charities need the things we put out. I had none of this when I was growing up. I had a wonderful childhood, lovely, but now it's just gone mad. I think the country's just gone mad, it's not right.'
Council Apologizes and Reviews Enforcement Procedures
In response to the outcry, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has issued a formal apology and confirmed that the fines have been dropped. Council leader Matt Boughton expressed regret for the distress caused and acknowledged that the kerbside charity collections should not have led to enforcement action.
'We understand how upsetting it has been for residents who have received these fines from Kingdom, and I am genuinely sorry for the distress it has caused,' Boughton stated. 'We have met with Kingdom to request an explanation for the decisions behind these fines, and to understand why the officer felt that fixed penalty notices were appropriate in these cases. Tackling litter and fly-tipping across the borough remains an important priority for us, and enforcement is key to that. However, it is clear that these kerbside charity collections should not have resulted in action.'
The council is now conducting a review of the circumstances to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring that well-intentioned donations are not mistakenly penalized. The charity involved, Tree of Hope, which supports families of seriously ill and disabled children, was approached for comment but has not yet responded publicly.
This case underscores broader concerns about the balance between enforcing anti-littering laws and supporting charitable activities, particularly affecting vulnerable elderly residents who rely on such donations to contribute to their communities.
