Latest news with #OwenDerbyshire
Powys County Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys hospital first in Wales to receive Green Flag Award
A Powys hospital has become the first in Wales to receive a Green Flag Award. Bronllys Hospital received the award from Keep Wales Tidy during a ceremony attended by staff, the director of allied health professions at Powys Teaching Health Board, and the CEO of Keep Wales Tidy. The Green Flag Award, now in its third decade, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces across 20 countries. Claire Madsen, director of allied health professions at Powys Teaching Health Board, said: "Bronllys Hospital has a long history of using its green spaces to benefit patients and staff. "From our woodland walk to our new partnership with Flora Cultura to enable patients to get involved with gardening, as well as our veterans garden, we try to ensure that as much of the hospital site is available for staff and patients. "I am very proud to receive Keep Wales Tidy's Green Flag Award and we hope to continue a partnership for the future." Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "Congratulations to everyone at Bronllys Hospital on achieving a Green Flag Award – a fantastic recognition of your commitment to creating and maintaining high-quality green space. "Bronllys is currently the only hospital site in Wales to hold a full Green Flag Award, and that's something truly worth celebrating. " It's a powerful example of how healthcare settings can provide not just medical care but also access to nature and green space that supports the wellbeing of patients, staff and the wider community."
Business News Wales
15-07-2025
- General
- Business News Wales
Neath Port Talbot Parks Recognised with 2025 Green Flag Awards
Parks and green spaces across Neath Port Talbot have reached the high standards required to fly the Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag. The environmental charity has revealed the sites across Wales which have won the 2025 Green Flag and Green Flag Community awards including the following in Neath Port Talbot: Gnoll Estate Country Park (Full Award) Margam Country Park (Full Award) Swansea University Bay Campus Grounds (Full Award) Talbot Memorial Park (Full Award) Victoria Gardens (Full Award) Amman Valley Trotting Club (Community Award) Cilybebyll Community Growers (Community Award) Craig Gwladus Country Park The Friends and Neighbours Centre, Neath Gardd y Pobl, Neath Sandfields Community Garden Cwmafan Community Orchard (Community Award) Glantawe Riverside Park (Community Award) Vivian Park Nature Garden (Community Award) The Lane Community Garden (Community Award) A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: 'These awards signify parks and community green spaces which have met very high standards and they represent a reward for outstanding environmental and gardening efforts and the maintenance of excellent visitor facilities. 'These are awards are due to a great team effort from our dedicated staff and from many hard working, much appreciated volunteers from our local communities. 'As well as thanking all involved, this year I would particularly like to thank those who are responsible for our new Community Award winning parks and gardens at Craig Gwladus Country Park, the Friends and Neighbours Centre, Gardd y Pobl and Sandfields Community Garden.' Now in its third decade, the Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries around the world. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy's Chief Executive, added: 'We're thrilled that green spaces managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have once again achieved the prestigious Green Flag status – a true testament to the dedication and hard work of the many staff and volunteers who care for them. 'High-quality green spaces are essential to the physical and mental wellbeing of communities across Wales, and to have these sites recognised as among the best in the world is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved.'
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Wales Online
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic'
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic' Senedd members have drawn up a wishlist of demands as parties look to create their manifestos Fly-tipped waste was left on the B4562 in Pontprennau, Cardiff, recently Higher fines for repeat offenders and awareness courses for people caught littering, dog fouling or fly tipping are just some of the ideas being touted to make Wales cleaner. Other suggestions made by a cross-party group of Senedd members include reintroducing dog licences - something that was mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland until 1987. Councils should be subject to performance measures, and be checked as to how they meet targets for street cleaning too, they said. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Wales' carrier bag scheme could also be expanded and there could also be a charge for disposable cups, they suggest. The document, titled 'The Wales We Want To See', heard from Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales and the Marine Conservation Society to show gaps in current legislation and explain how existing legislation could be used to keep Wales cleaner. The aim of the document is to encourage all Senedd political parties to put the issue of littering and fly-tipping front and centre of their manifestos. The suggestions are: Article continues below Review licensing and planning guidelines for fast food premises Amend the legislation to make drivers responsible for littering from vehicles (already applied in England) to facilitate enforcement and to explore the option for adding penalty points for offenders Review and amend waste licensing and waste permit system Introduction of a statutory duty for local authorities to investigate and prosecute fly-tipping and publicise enforcement successes A national litter/dog fouling/fly-tipping awareness course for all offenders Review penalties (including fines and vehicle seizures) and penalty escalations for repeat offenders to ensure credible deterrent level, including consideration for the introduction of a 'sliding scale' for FPNs and increasing penalty amounts A Local Prevention Plan which includes the adoption of a template to report progress against prevention focused indicators and continual progress monitoring Reintroduction of Performance Measures (PAM) for street cleansing and regulation for any local authorities who consistently under-perform to be supported by independent support and tailored 'improvement plans' Expansion of charges and levies such as a disposable cup levy (like the carrier bag charge) A tax or levy on fast food packaging (a discount is common on take-away rather than eat in) Consider the reintroduction of dog licences to specifically support the provision of dog wardens and promote and educate responsible dog ownership. Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source. We warmly welcome the recommendations from the Cross-Party group and hope political parties will give them serious consideration when developing their manifestos." Neil Harrison of Fly-tipping Action Wales said: "Fly-tipping Action Wales support local authorities who are working extremely hard to tackle fly-tipping and bring offenders to justice. "Unfortunately, the fines being awarded by the courts are not always reflective of the impact fly-tipping has on the environment, wellbeing of communities, and the local authority resources required to clear the waste and take forward enforcement action." In the foreword to the report, Labour MS Mick Antoniw, the chair of the group, said; "Wales is a beautiful country - still - but we are nearing a literal tipping point. Fly-tipping and littering are at epidemic levels and it's not just our environment and quality of life that suffers. It's bad news for our economy, it leads to more crime and has a devastating effect on wildlife. "This booklet sets out the extent of the problem and just how important addressing this issue is to voters. They expect government to act and they will support policies that will deliver action. Article continues below "The good news is that there is plenty we can do. Each recommendation listed will make a difference and take us closer to the Wales we all want to see. Many of the initiatives support broader goals such as promoting the circular economy, which already has cross-party support. Others, such as using technology to clamp down on those who throw rubbish from car windows could be self-funding. We are confident that all our proposed measures will attract significant voter support. "This booklet does not set out policy - that is for each party to develop - but we believe it is a good basis for developing effective, sustainable policy. We hope that all political parties in Wales, as part of their manifesto development process, will consider the issues raised here and join us in helping to create the Wales we all want to see."
South Wales Argus
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
New proposals launched to tackle littering in Wales
Members of the cross-party group on litter, fly-tipping, and waste reduction will put forward the manifesto proposals on Tuesday, June 10, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. The document is supported by organisations including Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales, and the Marine Conservation Society, who will be at the event. Mick Antoniw MS, the group's chairman, said: "Littering and fly-tipping are issues that voters care deeply about and where leadership, a more effective use of existing legislation, and a bolder approach to enforcement and penalties can help deliver the Wales we all want to see. "We hope that our proposals will be of assistance to all political parts at the Senedd in compiling their manifestos for the 2026 Senedd election." Owen Derbyshire, CEO at Keep Wales Tidy, added: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. "We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source." He also said that Keep Wales Tidy 'warmly welcome' the recommendations made by the Senedd Cross Party Group on Litter, Fly-Tipping and Waste Reduction. Mr Derbyshire expressed hope that the political parties will take them into serious consideration when developing their manifestos.
North Wales Chronicle
30-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Single-use vapes to be banned in Wales from this weekend
The decision was made to address the environmental damage caused by their creation and improper disposal. This comes after a Welsh Government pledge to make the country's response to the climate and nature emergency integral to all actions. The deputy first minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "Single-use vapes create litter and plastic pollution; this ban will help stop the serious harm these products cause to our wildlife and environment. "They should be recycled at a vape shop, or taken to a local authority recycling centre, to be disposed of safely. "Vapes should never go in the bin as they are susceptible to catching fire." Keep Wales Tidy estimates that 360,000 single-use vapes are littered on Welsh streets each year, with a further 120,000 flushed down toilets. In response, the charity's chief executive, Owen Derbyshire, said: "We warmly welcome Welsh Government's decision to ban single-use vapes—something we've been calling for in recent years. "Nearly half of all clean-ups undertaken by our volunteers last year found these harmful products. "They're a blight on our communities, a danger to wildlife, and near impossible to recycle." The Welsh Government has sent hard-copy information of the impending ban and required action to approximately 2,000 small- and medium-sized retailers across Wales. All businesses retailing single-use vapes will need to set up a take-back recycling service for used vapes, pods, or batteries. Any leftover single-use vapes must be disposed of correctly. The mental health and wellbeing minister, Sarah Murphy, said: "In addition to the environmental impacts, we know single-use vapes are being used by children and young people and are a factor in the significant increases in youth vaping that we have seen in recent years. "The single-use vape ban being introduced will help us to protect children and young people from vape products so that they never start vaping and avoid the harms caused by nicotine addiction."
