Northampton Labour councillor fined £4k over fly-tipping issue

The matter has now been referred to the regional Labour party

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By Natalie Bloomer

Labour councillor Nazim Choudary was found guilty of a breach of a Community Protection Notice at Northampton Magistrates Court yesterday. 

Cllr Choudary, a former mayor of Northampton and unitary councillor for the Talavera ward was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs due to people fly-tipping on a piece of land he owns. 

A broken fence on the empty land on Beech Avenue led to items being dumped there in recent years.

In 2019 Northampton Borough Council issued a written warning but the problem persisted which led to enforcement action being taken. 

Cllr Choudary told NN Journal last night he was upset and disappointed by the situation and has now sold the land.

“I have served this town for 20 years, I have dedicated myself to the local authority and now they have taken me to court. I’m very upset about what has happened. This isn’t about me flytipping - this is other people leaving rubbish on my land.”

Choudary was first elected in 2011 to represent St David’s and Kingsthorpe. In 2019 he became the youngest ever mayor of Northampton.

Earlier this month, NN Journal reported that a possible by-election could be held in Talavera due to a Labour town councillor failing to sign vital paperwork after being elected meaning her position became vacant. 

When contacted by NN Journal last night, leader of the West Northants Labour party Gareth Eales said he had referred the matter to the regional office.

“I had no prior knowledge of this, but I can confirm the issue  has been referred to the regional and national Labour party. As this is an ongoing matter I can’t comment further at this time.”