Rhondda Cynon Taf streets are cleaner according to the latest independent Local Environmental and Auditing Management Systems (LEAMS) report.

In the latest LEAMS report Rhondda Cynon Taf streets are cleaner than last year, with 3 streets achieve an A grade, 29 Streets achieving a B+ grade and a whooping 292 streets achieving a B grade!

The recent report congratulates Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on the cleanliness of its streets thanks to the dedication and effort of the authority’s Streetcare team.

The inspection carried out by LEAMS focuses on various criteria for waste including pedestrian litter, domestic and business waste, smoking-related litter, drinks-related litter, fast food packaging, dog fouling, vandalism, graffiti, weeds, fly-posting and overflowing bins.

Over 97.6% of streets in the County Borough received a B grade rating and above, which is fantastic news for residents. But there is still room for improvement and the Council’s Streetcare team will strive to get a litter free Rhondda Cynon Taf. This cannot be achieved without the help of residents and the Council is calling on them to clean up their streets by putting all their litter, including cigarette butts in the bins provided, cleaning up after their pets, reporting fly tipping and graffiti!

The report found that the most prevalent source of litter was from members of the public littering the streets themselves, followed by domestic waste and

Detritus at certain sites. Out of the eight litter bins inspected not one of them was overflowing.

The report also highlighted the increased problem of dog fouling, cigarette related waste, graffiti and fly tipping – showcasing the need for residents to become more proactive and clean up their act!

Together we can make Rhondda Cynon Taf a cleaner, greener place to live work and visit!

Much of the improvement is also due to the Council’s frequent street blitzes in various towns throughout the County Borough on a regular basis. The street blitz target towns or villages and carry out a thorough clean up with Streetcare teams clearing litter, removing fly posters, cleaning up dog fouling and cutting back weeds.

The Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness team also speak to residents and traders and identify problem areas relating to litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and fly-posting.

The Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness officers issue £75 Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone they spot dropping litter, letting their dogs foul, fly tipping, fly posting and writing graffiti.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services said: “This is a good result for the Streetcare team that is fully deserving of praise. Their sterling efforts to make Rhondda Cynon Taf a cleaner place to live is certainly visible for all to see.

“However we must not take our eye of the ball and we must continue to strive to improve our County Borough. Litter and waste is always going to be an issue and the teams work tirelessly to keep our County Borough clean and green, but it’s important that residents do their bit to help in the fight against waste by making sure they dispose of their waste responsibly.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council needs residents to get behind the team by showing that they care about the environment and cleaning up their act.

For more information call 01443 425001 or visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/litter|