Busterbulldog

iTrader: (1)

Beware if you do all 3 at the same time. Myself and my son pulled up in Court road industrial estate for a ciggy and got pounced on by camera wielding council guys poncing about in a Berlingo. We both got £30 spot fines and further threats for not displaying a no smoking sign ( another £200). It seems that although my privately van is insured for personal and business use I cannot smoke in it at any time,regardless,nor can my wife or anyone else....you have been warned

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Its classed as your work space, so they will do you.

The Sheep Worrier

iTrader: (2)

Bit mad that.
I'm a smoker (trying to ween myself off gently) only recently stopped smoking in my work van as its brand new and I can't bear to stink it out!
I'd heard of this kinda thing being law but hadnt heard of anyone being caught, I wonder if it would be the same for the local farmers round here, I.e smoking in they're double cab Pickup's going to market or in they're Tractor cutting silage ,(would be funny to see some knobber in a hi vis and clipboard chasing a farmer round a field lol)??

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

A mate had a warning from some council jobsworth for smoking in his van. (He's a self employed plumber and his van is sign written)

He removed all the writing, with his business name, phone number, etc. off it and they can't say **** all to him now.

Madness!!

LuckyWelshchap

I don't want to stir things up here (too much) and I haven't had the time to look fully into this BUT:

A works van, as Trooper says, is classed as a workplace and as such the law forbids it.
HOWEVER, it is a criminal offence, counter to UK law, and not a local by-law.
In my view that means that council officers are not empowered to issue fines, and indeed you should actually be charged with an offence and be afforded the opportunity to contest the case before Magistrates.

If you dropped a ***-end etc. fair cop - it's littering which is governed by by-laws.

What was on the ticket you were issued with?

Might be too late but in any case I'd write to Torfaen and ask and I'd also mention that you are considering an action against it in view of the fact that its agents (that's what they probably are, some parasite company akin to wheel clampers) have acted ultra vires (beyond their powers).

Bet they try it on.
Ask them under what powers you were fined, and ask for the relevant Act and Section.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Britain has gone Bonkers.

LuckyWelshchap

No - on the verge of being going broke.

Spending more on benefits than it gets in taxes, completely opposite the way the Welfare State is supposed to operate.

Nowhere near enough people in work to support those out of it.

Since you can't get even more money out of those in work ways have to be found to make everyone cough up more.

Worst thing we ever did going into Europe.

Subarus and parts would be far cheaper

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Subaru parts will always be expensive, they come from Japan. The last time I checked Japan was not in the EU.

LuckyWelshchap

Yep, not in the EU, so have to pay EU-levied import duties.
(Which Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, BMW, AUDI etc. etc. don't).

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

But show me a cheap OE BMW/VW/Audi/Porsche etc etc part.

Honda, Mini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, McLaren, as examples are very expensive and they make cars here. Is it the EU's fault?

When I was in Germany I bought all my car parts Tax Free, got to love that EU Law.

LuckyWelshchap

Mmm........ guess you didn't vote UKIP then Ian

(And I cannot tell a lie - I did).

gazney101

iTrader: (5)

If they werent actual coppers i think id have just told them to fukc off, what can they do?