The Vale of Glamorgan Council is set to launch a new street cleaning operation to significantly improve the appearance of its towns, villages and transport routes.
This comes after the Authority received money linked to its excellent recycling performance and reflects an improving financial position.
Council budgets are said to be looking healthier following a better-than-expected settlement from Welsh Government and the introduction of new more cost-effective ways of delivering services.
From April, the new service known as Street Scene, will see:
- The creation of five place-based teams, one for the four towns and another for large villages, that will maintain the appearance of these areas and attend quickly to cases of litter and spillages.
- Five vans containing specialist equipment will be purchased for use by these teams allowing them to clean road signs more frequently and offer a rapid response to instances of graffiti.
- Increased cleaning of entrance points and routes into the Vale of Glamorgan.
- The return of dedicated town centre street sweepers to Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major, alongside those already present in Barry.
- Greater engagement and partnership working with Town and Community Councils, local groups, Keep Wales Tidy, the Probation Service, Youth Offending teams, and litter picking volunteers.
- Extra resources to tackle fly-tipping in Barry, where there is most demand, including more regular patrols of known hotspots, prosecution of offenders and the purchase of specialist machines to remove waste.
- A programme of weed removal and leaf clearing.
- More frequent cleaning of public toilets.
Cllr Mark Wilson, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Building Services, said: “I know the condition of our public spaces is a top priority for residents and many have been calling for more resources to be put into maintaining them.
“I’m delighted to announce that, after listening to that feedback, we are making a raft of improvements that will keep our towns and villages looking their best.
“Led by residents, our excellent recycling performance has exceeded targets and helped fund this improved service through payments received for recycled waste.
“After a period of sustained financial challenges, we are also now in a stronger position following a welcome settlement from Welsh Government and hard work from staff to transform the way services are delivered.
“The Council does not want to make cuts, there are areas such as street cleaning that desperately need investment, and I’m delighted we are now able to do that.
“This new service will help tackle litter and fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism and improve the overall appearance and standard of locations across the County.
“We are all proud to live in the Vale and this new cleaning regime will give us places that clearly reflect that.”
The introduction of Street Scene comes after the Council received money from the sale of recycled materials and is part of broader investment in the Neighbourhood Services department.
A programme of pre-spring cleaning has already begun in Barry targeting rear lanes and the town centre, with Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major set for the same treatment over the next couple of months.
There are also plans to refurbish toilet facilities in Penarth, Barry and Cowbridge.
