Latest news with #KeepWalesTidy
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic'
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic' Senedd members have drawn up a wishlist of demands as parties look to create their manifestos Fly-tipped waste was left on the B4562 in Pontprennau, Cardiff, recently Higher fines for repeat offenders and awareness courses for people caught littering, dog fouling or fly tipping are just some of the ideas being touted to make Wales cleaner. Other suggestions made by a cross-party group of Senedd members include reintroducing dog licences - something that was mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland until 1987. Councils should be subject to performance measures, and be checked as to how they meet targets for street cleaning too, they said. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Wales' carrier bag scheme could also be expanded and there could also be a charge for disposable cups, they suggest. The document, titled 'The Wales We Want To See', heard from Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales and the Marine Conservation Society to show gaps in current legislation and explain how existing legislation could be used to keep Wales cleaner. The aim of the document is to encourage all Senedd political parties to put the issue of littering and fly-tipping front and centre of their manifestos. The suggestions are: Article continues below Review licensing and planning guidelines for fast food premises Amend the legislation to make drivers responsible for littering from vehicles (already applied in England) to facilitate enforcement and to explore the option for adding penalty points for offenders Review and amend waste licensing and waste permit system Introduction of a statutory duty for local authorities to investigate and prosecute fly-tipping and publicise enforcement successes A national litter/dog fouling/fly-tipping awareness course for all offenders Review penalties (including fines and vehicle seizures) and penalty escalations for repeat offenders to ensure credible deterrent level, including consideration for the introduction of a 'sliding scale' for FPNs and increasing penalty amounts A Local Prevention Plan which includes the adoption of a template to report progress against prevention focused indicators and continual progress monitoring Reintroduction of Performance Measures (PAM) for street cleansing and regulation for any local authorities who consistently under-perform to be supported by independent support and tailored 'improvement plans' Expansion of charges and levies such as a disposable cup levy (like the carrier bag charge) A tax or levy on fast food packaging (a discount is common on take-away rather than eat in) Consider the reintroduction of dog licences to specifically support the provision of dog wardens and promote and educate responsible dog ownership. Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source. We warmly welcome the recommendations from the Cross-Party group and hope political parties will give them serious consideration when developing their manifestos." Neil Harrison of Fly-tipping Action Wales said: "Fly-tipping Action Wales support local authorities who are working extremely hard to tackle fly-tipping and bring offenders to justice. "Unfortunately, the fines being awarded by the courts are not always reflective of the impact fly-tipping has on the environment, wellbeing of communities, and the local authority resources required to clear the waste and take forward enforcement action." In the foreword to the report, Labour MS Mick Antoniw, the chair of the group, said; "Wales is a beautiful country - still - but we are nearing a literal tipping point. Fly-tipping and littering are at epidemic levels and it's not just our environment and quality of life that suffers. It's bad news for our economy, it leads to more crime and has a devastating effect on wildlife. "This booklet sets out the extent of the problem and just how important addressing this issue is to voters. They expect government to act and they will support policies that will deliver action. Article continues below "The good news is that there is plenty we can do. Each recommendation listed will make a difference and take us closer to the Wales we all want to see. Many of the initiatives support broader goals such as promoting the circular economy, which already has cross-party support. Others, such as using technology to clamp down on those who throw rubbish from car windows could be self-funding. We are confident that all our proposed measures will attract significant voter support. "This booklet does not set out policy - that is for each party to develop - but we believe it is a good basis for developing effective, sustainable policy. We hope that all political parties in Wales, as part of their manifesto development process, will consider the issues raised here and join us in helping to create the Wales we all want to see."
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Former cannabis factory helps Lliswerry pond into bloom
The fertiliser has been used to create an explosion of colour in a picturesque part of the city. Officers took ownership of the unused fertiliser while dismantling the cannabis cultivation in a disused factory last year, leading to two arrests. Gwent Police donated the fertiliser to Lliswerry Pond and, during the winter months, leaseholder Ben Edmunds used it in raised beds and borders around the Aberthaw Road site. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Joanne Spiteri, from the neighbourhood policing team at Alway, visited the fishery to see the marigolds, busy lizzies and wild flowers flourishing at first-hand. Sergeant Chris Hopkin said: "PCSO Spiteri and her colleagues work closely with Ben to help keep the area around Lliswerry Pond safe from anti-social behaviour and associated crime. "Back in November, our officers dismantled a cannabis factory at a disused warehouse in Kelvedon Street and we were delighted to donate the unused fertiliser to Lliswerry Pond to help with their outdoor floral displays. 'By re-purposing the fertiliser, it has certainly helped to bring some additional colour to the site and puts items that are often thought to be used for criminal purposes to use that benefit our communities. "Lliswerry Pond is a jewel of the local community that many residents enjoy visiting, particularly when the sun is shining during the summer months. 'I hope that members of the community are enjoying these floral displays too.' Ben Edmunds and Leanne Bill lease Lliswerry Pond from Newport City Council through their company, Angling Watch UK. He said: 'We pride ourselves in being at the heart of our community, and we're delighted to have benefited positively from the dismantling of the cannabis factory last year. 'Our floral displays look fantastic – the marigolds, busy lizzies and wild flowers from Keep Wales Tidy are flowering beautifully in the raised beds. "We have an excellent working relationship with Gwent Police and the neighbourhood policing team at Alway and I want to thank the local community for their continued support." If you have any information on drug supply in your area, no matter how big or small you think it might be, please get in touch with Gwent Police. The production, sale and supply of illegal drugs can have far-reaching effects on our communities, and we'll continue to do all we can to take action and protect vulnerable people from harm. Anyone with relevant information can contact police via our website, call on 101, or send us a direct message on our Facebook or X channels, so that we can act. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with information or visit their website.
Leader Live
09-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Wrexham MS welcomes the new ban on single use vapes
MS for Wrexham A significant change in the law came into effect at the beginning of this month relating to disposable vapes. Since 1st June, it has been illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply single use vapes. The aim of the ban is to reduce the environmental harm caused by their production and incorrect disposal. Keep Wales Tidy estimates that over the course of just one year, 360,000 single use vapes are littered on the ground in Wales, while 120,000 are flushed down the toilet. Retailers caught breaking the law face a fine and a possible prison sentence for repeat offences. To be clear, it isn't illegal to own a disposable vape after 1 June. Customers can still return them, and retailers have an obligation to get rid of them. They can also be taken to a local authority recycling centre to be disposed of safely. Single use vapes create litter and plastic pollution and I welcome this ban as it will help stop the serious harm these products cause to our wildlife and environment. Anyone looking to do a spot of walking this week may want to take part in this year's Wrexham Walking Festival. As well as promoting the natural beauty and history of North East Wales, the annual event encourages people to venture outdoors and live healthier lifestyles. From Saturday 7th through to Sunday 15th June, a series of free walks are taking place exploring our region's scenic landscape and people of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in. Walks are graded depending on difficulty. Harder walks are at least 6 miles in length and will cross rough ground so walkers require a good level of fitness. There are also shorter, less strenuous walks so there is something to suit everyone. Over the years, the festival has attracted walkers from across the UK to visit our region. Last year more than 550 people took part and as a long-time supporter of the event, I hope this year's will be the most successful yet. Further information can be found on the website – – or by contacting the Wrexham Visitor Information Centre on Chester Street. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743. You can also keep up to date by following me on 'X' (Twitter) and Facebook, just search @lesley4wrexham.
South Wales Argus
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
New proposals launched to tackle littering in Wales
Members of the cross-party group on litter, fly-tipping, and waste reduction will put forward the manifesto proposals on Tuesday, June 10, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. The document is supported by organisations including Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales, and the Marine Conservation Society, who will be at the event. Mick Antoniw MS, the group's chairman, said: "Littering and fly-tipping are issues that voters care deeply about and where leadership, a more effective use of existing legislation, and a bolder approach to enforcement and penalties can help deliver the Wales we all want to see. "We hope that our proposals will be of assistance to all political parts at the Senedd in compiling their manifestos for the 2026 Senedd election." Owen Derbyshire, CEO at Keep Wales Tidy, added: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. "We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source." He also said that Keep Wales Tidy 'warmly welcome' the recommendations made by the Senedd Cross Party Group on Litter, Fly-Tipping and Waste Reduction. Mr Derbyshire expressed hope that the political parties will take them into serious consideration when developing their manifestos.
Business News Wales
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
South Wales Developer Celebrates Volunteers' Week
Developer Lovell celebrated Volunteers' Week by looking back on some of the recent volunteering work it has taken part in. Volunteers' Week is an awareness campaign sponsored by Works4U, which highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK, and has been running for over 40 years. One of the recent Lovell volunteering initiatives took place at the Ringland Regeneration project in Newport. 19 people from Lovell and its partners on the project Hedyn gave up their time to take part in the third community litter picking session since work started on the site last year, with the help of equipment supplied by Keep Wales Tidy. The Presbyterian Church in Ringland who assisted and provided the team with hot drinks and food once the work was finished. Lovell also took part in a record-breaking river clean up in Pontypridd. Lovell's Social Value Manager Meriel Gough, Marketing and Business Development Coordinator Noorhan Griffiths, Bid Coordinator Tom McDonald, and Build Manager Paul Phillips took part in Taff Tidy, a world record attempt for the largest mass river clean-up which was organised by Keep Wales Tidy and Kate Strong. The project saw volunteers at nine different locations along the River Taff take part in a simultaneous river picking effort, to beat the previous world record of 329 volunteers which was set on the River Gange. The Lovell employees gave up four hours of their time to improving the local area, and along with the other volunteers across the region were able to decisively beat the record with 1,327 people taking part in total. Gemma Clissett, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: 'At Lovell, giving back to the communities we build in is a crucial part of our core values. We are very proud of the volunteering work we do, and all the other community work we carry out with schools, colleges and other local organisations. We look forward to offering our help and support to more of them going forward.' The Ringland Regeneration project is a large-scale transformation programme being delivered by Lovell for Hedyn (formerly Newport City Homes), bringing a new lease of life to the Ringland area of Newport. The £47 million project will see 158 new homes be provided and the Ringland shopping centre be relocated.
