Ombudsman concerned about overzealous fining of people for leaving items outside their home to be given away

Local authorities in England will be issued with fresh guidance on how to handle “middle-class fly-tipping” after councils were found to have taken an overzealous approach to fining people who leave items outside their home for neighbours to collect for free.

The local government and social care ombudsman (LGO) said she was concerned about an increasing number of incidents over recent months where councils had acted disproportionately.