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Unauthorised banner stunt lands PR boss with £1,500 fine
7:37am Thursday 26th June 2008
By Matt Smith »
HIGH-profile Southampton PR man Lee Peck has been fined £1,500 after a rival firm reported him to the council for draping a huge unauthorised advertising banner on his former company offices, writes Matt Smith.
The city council hauled Mr Peck before the courts after he put up a banner to promote the P&O superliner Ventura without planning permission - just months after a bid for a five-year temporary consent was thrown out by councillors.
They ruled that a 17 metre by 6 metre high banner on his two-storey offices at Chilworth Point was too dominant and posed a risk to highway safety.
Representing himself Mr Peck, as the major shareholder and chairman of Leepeckgreenfield, told magistrates he thought he could put up the banner because he had lodged an appeal.
However, the city council told the court they had no record of one.
Mr Peck, who pleaded guilty to a breach of planning rules, blamed an office junior for failing to send an email to the council, and said he had accepted incorrect advice from her husband, who worked as a planner with Basingstoke council.
He said: "I would like to apologise for taking the court's valuable time. I would like to apologise to Southampton City Council who over the years I have had a very good working relationship with.
"I did my very best to abide by the letter of the law and the spirit of the law."
Southampton Magistrates' Court heard Mr Peck had been warned twice by the council for putting up banners - for the naming ceremony of the Arcadia cruise ship in April 2005 and to promote Southampton Boat Show last year.
Mr Peck, who boasts a career in journalism, public relations, advertising and training spanning two-and-a-half decades, said there had only been two complaints, and one was from a competitor whom he refused to name.
He pledged there would be no "further transgressions", as his firm had now moved to the city centre.
He said: "I'm sorry the council felt they should take this action but I do believe it's more a misunderstanding than a fragrant breach of the law."
Turning to the fine, he pleaded with magistrates: "There is a credit crunch on. It's tough right now. I would ask you not to be punitive."
Magistrates fined him £1,500, with £150 costs. The maximum penalty available was £2,500.
Mr Peck last week moved to new officers in Carlton Crescent and renamed the business Leepeckgroup after buying out his long-term business partner Stuart Greenfield.
Your Say YourEcho
John Bull, Soton says...
8:43am Thu 26 Jun 08
Mike Andrews, Barton-on-Sea says...
8:54am Thu 26 Jun 08
Sweet smelling, but not that serious. Close.
hmm, says...
9:15am Thu 26 Jun 08
St George, says...
9:24am Thu 26 Jun 08
"if this was any other countries flag, no Action would have been taken"
Typical
Fred, Chilworth says...
9:50am Thu 26 Jun 08
I imagine they may compensate him with another 'newsworthy' feature in the not too distance future?
Q.Widsin, says...
9:54am Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred, Bristol says...
10:01am Thu 26 Jun 08
St George wrote:It's not even about the fact it's a flag. It's about the fact it's a huge unauthorised advertisement. It could have been a sunset, a flag from any other country or a big fluffy kitten. He still broke the law by having an advertisement there.
The echo forgot to include "if this was any other countries flag, no Action would have been taken" Typical
Good job you read the story - which doesn't mention the advertisement design at all - and didn't just look at the picture before commenting.
Jez Miller, Southampton says...
10:17am Thu 26 Jun 08
Lee Peck, Former TV Legend and Friend to the Stars says...
10:32am Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred wrote:I thought the line;
Looks like Mr Peck forgot to ask the Echo to include a link to his company website in this advertorial. I imagine they may compensate him with another 'newsworthy' feature in the not too distance future?
Mr Peck, who boasts
is the most accurate thing I have seen on here in ages.
Fred, Chilworth says...
10:35am Thu 26 Jun 08
Jez Miller wrote:I'm sure Southampton City Council do a lot to help local businesses prosper, though not quite sure what this has to do with Council Tax?
Perhaps Southampton Council should concentrate on helping local businesses instead of penalising them for trying to succeed. It would certainly justify the continual hikes in council tax.
However, Lee Peck knew exactly what they were doing and need little help from the council to succeed.
They took a 'flyer' on the posting, (as well as a decent fee), knowing full well that they were flouting the rules.
Of course, Mr Peck still tries to place the blame elsewhere.
Lee P*ick, Carlton Place says...
10:39am Thu 26 Jun 08
Dave, Soton says...
10:54am Thu 26 Jun 08
Also laughable to use the credit crunch as a reason not to receive a hefty fine. Is this bloke for real?
Sir Dud Pound, soton says...
10:56am Thu 26 Jun 08
Bambi, says...
11:22am Thu 26 Jun 08
Mr Peck, who boasts
Correct
Ben, says...
1:15pm Thu 26 Jun 08
George, says...
1:16pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred, Chilworth says...
1:24pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Ben wrote:Can't really tell if you're right or wrong the words don't appear to be in any semblance of order?
Dear All, This smacks me of double standards for the following reasons, The Echo made it clear that the official complaint was made by one of Lee Pecks competitors, fair enough, C'est La Vie etc. But, and there is a great big but, it seems the council have aided this competitor on a rival basis due to the simple fact the council themselves had a large sign on the roundabout without permission (arguably in a more dangerous highway position) to advertise a similar event (The official naming of the Queen Victoria). Was it coincidence the rival investigated and complained about just Lee, surely not, impossible! If this is the case the council have foolishly acted in the interests of rivalry between businesses. Therefore I really look forward to reading what happens in court to the council, surely the Echo will closely monitor the situation and promptly report on the £1500 fine that should in sue, Who knows double standards = double fine if they dont have permission for the sign there now. PS someone put me right if Im wrong?
Mike from Glen Eyre, Bassett says...
1:35pm Thu 26 Jun 08
quote
Palace of righteous justice, says...
1:36pm Thu 26 Jun 08
gorf, soton says...
1:39pm Thu 26 Jun 08
I like to see a welcomeing sign like they ones they put up as i make my way from the m3
Gerry, Forrest says...
1:51pm Thu 26 Jun 08
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
paul b, says...
1:57pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Fred, Chilworth says...
2:06pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
paul b, says...
2:09pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Fred, Chilworth says...
2:18pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
mt, Southampton says...
2:55pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b, says...
3:59pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred wrote:whats your strong point? little boys?
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Fred, Chilworth says...
4:12pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b wrote:It took all of 1 hour seventeen minutes to compose your reply.
Fred wrote:whats your strong point? little boys?
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Then you go and spoil it all by starting your statement in lowercase. Two additional mistakes as well for you to review.
I rest my case.
Now get on with your homework.
paul b, says...
4:43pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred wrote:did it occur to you that not everyone sits constantly monitoring this website all day waiting for morons to reply to them? I was in a meeting and didn't really think "sorry, I've got to go and insult a tool on the Internet" would be a good excuse
paul b wrote:It took all of 1 hour seventeen minutes to compose your reply.
Fred wrote:whats your strong point? little boys?
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Then you go and spoil it all by starting your statement in lowercase. Two additional mistakes as well for you to review.
I rest my case.
Now get on with your homework.
tw@t
Bored Fred, Chilworth says...
4:54pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b wrote:So your 'meeting' made you late did it? Serves you right for playing the fool in class.
Fred wrote:did it occur to you that not everyone sits constantly monitoring this website all day waiting for morons to reply to them? I was in a meeting and didn't really think "sorry, I've got to go and insult a tool on the Internet" would be a good excuse
paul b wrote:It took all of 1 hour seventeen minutes to compose your reply.
Fred wrote:whats your strong point? little boys?
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Then you go and spoil it all by starting your statement in lowercase. Two additional mistakes as well for you to review.
I rest my case.
Now get on with your homework.
tw@t
However, it is enlightening to see that you have set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
'Could do better' applies as usual Paul.
Mike Andrews, Barton-on-Sea says...
5:00pm Thu 26 Jun 08
paul b, says...
5:08pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Bored Fred wrote:go and f*&k yourself you boring pratt!!!!
paul b wrote:So your \'meeting\' made you late did it? Serves you right for playing the fool in class.
Fred wrote:did it occur to you that not everyone sits constantly monitoring this website all day waiting for morons to reply to them? I was in a meeting and didn\'t really think \"sorry, I\'ve got to go and insult a tool on the Internet\" would be a good excuse
paul b wrote:It took all of 1 hour seventeen minutes to compose your reply.
Fred wrote:whats your strong point? little boys?
paul b wrote:Grammar not really your strong point is it.
Fred wrote:shut up you complete tool
paul b wrote:Look up irony, then look up idiot; or is that also beyond you?
Gerry wrote:You migt want to check your own spelling before criticising someone elses!!
a fragrant breach of the law.
Moor exsellent jurnalisem from the Eko!
Then you go and spoil it all by starting your statement in lowercase. Two additional mistakes as well for you to review.
I rest my case.
Now get on with your homework.
tw@t
However, it is enlightening to see that you have set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
\'Could do better\' applies as usual Paul.
Fred, Chilworth says...
5:18pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Next time I might not be in such a playful mood...
Ah, the Chablis has chilled now.
Bye.
Sandra G, Chilworth says...
5:23pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Fred wrote:Hi Fred,
Paul B just can't resist resorting to form.
Next time I might not be in such a playful mood...
Ah, the Chablis has chilled now.
Bye.
mind if I join you for a quick one?
Denzil, Chilworth says...
6:27pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Sandra G wrote:How about a Ménage à trois?
Fred wrote: Paul B just can't resist resorting to form. Next time I might not be in such a playful mood... Ah, the Chablis has chilled now. Bye.Hi Fred, mind if I join you for a quick one?
DR SAMMY SNAKE, says...
11:43am Fri 27 Jun 08
DR SAMMY SNAKE, says...
1:13pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Mr Spikles, In Lee's kitchen says...
3:05pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Clay is still plentiful, but it's never been disposable. And as Lee is often keen to point out, clay as art still has the intention and purpose behind it that long ago would have been present in every vessel. It can be something to stop our busy lives for a few moments in the morning to meditate over our morning coffee out of our favorite mug. It can be a vase that with or without flowers, we can stop to think about how it is one of the few objects in our lives that are hand made and individual. Just like Mr Peck, I'm sure you will all agree.
Wombat, my house says...
3:12pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Garry Bushel, Under Lee's bed says...
3:14pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Jillian Strongjeans., says...
3:14pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Have you ever tried a soda glaze. Very effective.
Miley Cyrus, Up Lee's Ladder says...
3:25pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Gregory Peck, Inside the Bitterne triangle says...
3:28pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Lee, weetabix says...
3:28pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Road Runner, in Hungary says...
3:33pm Fri 27 Jun 08
John Watson, In Lee's shed says...
3:45pm Fri 27 Jun 08
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ILLEGAL: Lee Peck, front, with ex-partner Stuart Greenfield and one of his banners
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kim, says...
8:18am Thu 26 Jun 08
well done Mr Peck....you ought to run for Mayor !!