Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Eight people have been fined for leaving materials outside the containers at the recycling banks in Burry Port. Council environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices for £75 as part of a targeted operation following a number of complaints from residents about the mess at the site in the Sea View Terrace car park. The council says this is in effect fly-tipping and hopes these fines will act as a warning to others. There are clear signs at all of the recycling sites in Carmarthenshire that fly-tippers will be prosecuted. Residents are being urged to put their waste into the recycling banks and not leave it on the ground as this only attracts further fly-tipping. The banks are emptied regularly but if they are full then people should take their waste home until they are serviced or use an alternative recycling site nearby. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “These sites are important facilities for communities and it i...

Councillor Jim Jones has been finding out what it is like to be in the shoes of an environmental enforcement officer. The newly-appointed Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection has been out on patrol across Carmarthenshire. He said he wanted to experience first-hand what the officers were dealing with on a daily basis in their bid clean up the county. The new council administration has pledged to get even tougher on dog fouling and littering. Anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog or dropping litter will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75. And if they don’t pay it, they will be prosecuted in court and face an even larger fine. Cllr Jones said: “It was very interesting to go out on patrol with the officers. They have a lot of ground to cover – the whole of Carmarthenshire - but they know where the ‘hotspots’ are and target those areas accordingly. “It’s all about being in the right place at the right time and that can be very difficul...

Four people have been fined for dropping litter and spraying graffiti in Burry Port. Council environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in the town and in neighbouring Pembrey at the request of local members and the town council. Two people received fixed penalty notices of £75 for spraying graffiti on stone walling near the skate park. One person was issued with a fixed penalty notice for dropping litter at Burry Port harbour and a further person was fined for leaving rubbish near the recycling banks at Sea View Terrace. Failure to pay could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Two people were also been fined for failing to clean up after their dogs at Burry Port woodlands earlier this month. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I have written to all town and community councils asking them to get in touch with litter and dog fouling ‘hotspots’ in their area so that they can be t...

A new drive has being launched in Carmarthenshire to tackle fast food litter. The council, in partnership with McDonald’s, has launched a  campaign to clean up the county. Figures show that fast food litter such as chip wrappers, crisp packets, drinks cartons and half eaten food can be found on 20% of county streets. The council is encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish more responsibly and has teamed up with McDonald’s to raise awareness of the problem. Officers visited McDonald’s restaurants in Carmarthen and Cross Hands to put up posters and talk to customers. On average 40 tonnes of litter is removed every week in Carmarthenshire and it costs the council over £2.2 million per year. Not only does litter take years to break down, but it spoils the appearance of an area and attracts rats. People are also being reminded that anyone caught throwing litter can get an on-the-spot fine of £75; or if taken to court, a fine up to £2,500. Since council environmental enforceme...

Pupils from Five Roads put on their wellies and headed to on the 'throne' area of the new Diamond Jubilee Forestry being planted in Carway. The youngsters were accompanied to the land by Ffos Las Racecourse by teacher Gareth Jones and local county councillor Jim Jones, who is chair of Governors and chair of the council’s environment scrutiny committee. The planting is part of the Diamond Jubilee Forestry project. Cllr Jones said: “I am pleased that the children enjoyed the experience of planting the trees which will be enjoyed for years to come. It is a lovely way to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.” Gareth Jones said: “Thirty five children took part and we planted about 100 trees and the children really enjoyed it. We have been invited to go back in 10 years to see how they have grown. “We are an Eco School and this project will help the environment.”