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

An app designed to capture nuisance noise is now available to residents in Carmarthenshire. The Noise App can be downloaded onto a mobile phone or tablet and is a simple way to record noise whilst reporting it safely and securely. The recording is sent via the app to the council’s environmental health team and could form part of a case for investigation. Cllr Jim Jones, Carmarthenshire County council’s executive board member for public protection, said: “Sometimes, due to lack of supporting evidence, a noise complaint cannot be pursued, so this app will help us build stronger cases for us to investigate, as well as well as making it easier for everyone involved to resolve it.” Around 900 noise complaints are made to the council every year. The most common include DIY activities, barking dogs, loud music, burglar alarms and anti-social behaviour. iPhone users can download the app from the App Store, and Android users from the Play Store. Once installed and registered, follow the in...

Environmental enforcement officers are increasing patrols in Cwmllynfell following complaints of dog fouling. Residents are concerned about the amount of dog mess on the streets, particularly in the New Road and Dolawel area. Officers will be patrolling the village and anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog will be fined. Residents are also being asked to help by providing information to help catch offenders. If you see anyone failing to clean up after their dog, note what has happened as soon as possible; include the time, date and location, a description of the dog and person in charge of the dog. The information can then be used by officers to target specific areas at key times. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “We have a zero tolerance approach towards dog fouling offences. Dog mess left anywhere is not only a nuisance and very unpleasant, but it can have serious health implications. “We take complaints of dog fouling ...

Carmarthenshire County Council is one of only three Welsh local authorities to be named a finalist at The MJ Awards 2016 . The authority’s Trading Standards team is leading the charge for the MJ Achievement Awards across three separate categories, for its innovative work in protecting vulnerable people against scams and fraud, and educating the next generation about financial management. The team is up for awards in the Delivering Better Outcomes and Innovation in Partnership categories for its Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme (FESS), a multi-agency scheme established by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards in 2014. The first of its kind in Wales, FESS works not only to prevent fraud and identify victims but also protects them from further exploitation by putting support in place from social care and housing teams. All Halifax and Barclays branches in the county are members of the scheme, as are every Citizens Advice Bureau in Carmarthenshire. Staff receive specialist tra...

Ammanford has been given the all-clear after an investigation into claims that rats were running around the town centre at night. Public Protection officers have carried out a thorough investigation – and found no evidence of rats. Carmarthenshire County Council’s head of public protection Philip Davies ordered the investigation after complaints of a rodent problem. Mr Davies said: “There have been uncorroborated reports of rodents seen running down town centre roads in Ammanford late at night. Officers have walked each alleyway, side street and main thoroughfare in Ammanford town centre until the early hours of the morning and no rodent activity has been witnessed. “They didn’t find any piles of refuse, or anything else that would attract or harbour rats. Ammanford is looking quite tidy.” He said that since April 1 this year only one report of a rodent infestation had been received from Ammanford and that was in a residential area and not in the town centre. Mr Davies added: “Th...