People power is at the forefront of a new environmental scheme to greatly enhance local communities by cutting down on littering, dog fouling and fly tipping.
A partnership group was established last year between Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Streetcare Team and the Hirwaun and Penderyn Community Council to help specifically improve their local environment.
Together they approached local schools, businesses and residents to gain support for a series of innovative schemes that would help raise awareness of local “eco” issues and how to improve their locality.
There were a series of school presentations, environmental projects and close working with key organisations including Keep Wales Tidy and the Tidy Towns Initiative.
Recently the Council worked closely with Hirwaun Primary School to organise a poster competition with the children. Pupils were asked to come up with bright ideas on how to tackle littering, dog fouling and flytipping in their own communities by designing a special poster.
With plenty of inspiration and the help of Council staff and teachers, the competition provided some outstanding results which were judged by Waste Services Manager Mark Walters who had a difficult job deciding the winners because the standard was so high.
Prizes were donated by the Community Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Streetcare Team.
The winning posters where then manufactured into signs that are be sited throughout the area where there is a significant problem with litter and dog fouling.
Winners of the competition were Megan James and Jemma Ho, both 11 years of age.
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Cllr Anthony Christopher said: “Many congratulations to the pupils for their inspiring and colourful entries into the poster competition and I’m delighted that the school was able to get involved and support this initiative to make theirs a cleaner and greener community.
“This is one of many first-class schemes operated by our Streetcare Team who work so closely with many community groups, schools and other organizations to collectively help make Rhondda Cynon Taf a better place to live in, work in and visit.”
