A COUNCILLOR has called for clemency for the victim of a Thurrock Council enforcement officer who issued a £150 penalty fine to a pensioner for dropping a cigarette butt in Aveley – while the council has dropped its enforcement action against a multi-million pound company whose environmental transgressions blighted the lives of residents in the community.

In a comment piece on Thurrock Nub News' Facebook page yesterday (Wednesday, 20 January) editor Neil Speight highlighted the differing attitude of the council to enforcement after spotting enforcement officers dishing out the fine to Raimund Voronovic.

Mr Voronovic is a resident of Leonardo House, just off Aveley High Street where he was spotted dropping his cigarette. Mr Voronovic speaks little English and appeared unaware of the rule of cigarette butt littering, nor had he grasped the consequences of the enforcement officer's actions.

While acknowledging the anti-social nature of the littering Mr Speight asked if the council was not showing extreme double standards after it dropped its enforcement action against property developers Sergo, whose building of a major new distribution centre has caused huge issues for local residents.

In his comment Mr Speight expounded the view that Thurrock Council appears to have lost its moral compass – particularly in the light of the authority appearing to turn a blind eye to so many corporate transgressions in the borough while picking on the most vulnerable of residents with fines rather than words of advice or a caution.

He says: "What I was trying to point out is the lack of perspective. Burning illegal waste? 'Not our problem!' Mud on the road? 'Let it slide!' Flooding response? 'We'll get there eventually when the water's gone down!' Big business breaking planning rules? 'We'll let them off, it was only a year of blight for neighbours!' Illegal excavations and planning breaches by Travellers? 'It's OK, it's only wildlife!' Nuisance bikers? 'Sorry, we've got to cut the budget for officers'!

"Nick a pensioner for dropping a fag rather than explain the rules and give him a chance to pick it up? 'That's us! Aren't we brilliant at enforcement!'

That opinion struck a chord with Aveley & Uplands councillor David van Day who is now calling on the authority to cancel the ticket given to Mr Voronovic.

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He contacted Thurrock Nub News to say: ""In light of the Sergo situation I think you make what most people might agree is a fair point. I have appealed on behalf of Mr Voronovic for clemency in this instance, as long as he abides by the rules in the future."