Permanent Enforcement Officer for Taff’s Well? What about other Communities in RCY?

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has worked closely with Taff’s Well and Nantgarw Community Council to provide a new enforcement officer to tackle issues in the local area.

The partnership began when the Community Council contacted the Local Authority in June to discuss problems such as littering, dog fouling and parking issues – and proposed the introduction of a permanent enforcement officer for the area, to be wholly funded by the Community Council.

Having worked together over the last few months, the Council and Community Council have now announced that the new officer will begin patrols in Taff’s Well during the first week of January, and will continue to do so for one day a week over an initial 12-month period.

One of the issues which has been reported as a significant problem in Taff’s Well is dog fouling – which the Council has recently clamped down on across the County Borough, through its Sort **IT Out! campaign.

The campaign is promoting new, harder-hitting dog fouling rules which came into force on October 1, banning dogs from marked sports pitches, schools and children’s playgrounds. Meanwhile, more enforcement officers are now patrolling streets, parks and the countryside. So far, they have issued increased fines of £100 to more than 50 irresponsible dog owners.

Nigel Wheeler, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director for Highways and Streetcare Services, said: “The Local Authority and Community Council have worked closely together to provide an enforcement officer who will patrol Taff’s Well, targeting those responsible for littering, dog fouling and poor parking.

“The new officer will start work in January, for an initial one-year period. This has been funded by the Community Council, for the benefit of the local community who want to see the problems in their area resolved.

“We have already seen increased patrols making a difference in tackling dog fouling across the County Borough, and we hope to see the same difference made for a wider range of issues in Taff’s Well. During January, the new officer will meet Community Council members, who will be able to convey the exact nature of the problems that need targeting locally.”

Emma Price, Clerk for Taff’s Well and Nantgarw Community Council, added: “The Community Council are very excited to be able to fund an enforcement officer to tackle the ongoing issues in Taff's Well and Nantgarw.

“We are confident it will have a positive effect on the community and are very happy to be working alongside Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to combat the problems.”