Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Public Health and Protection team has been working hard for three years to deal with the unacceptable condition of a property at 54 Oxford Street in Mountain Ash, in a bid to allay the concerns of residents and traders.

A successful court hearing in 2007 saw owner David Williams convicted for failing to take heed of a legal notice served on him by officers the year before.

The order demanded he take the action needed to either bring the eyesore building up to standard or demolish it. Due to the inaction on his part, he was subjected to a daily fine of £2, to be paid for every day he failed to take the necessary action.

Despite the legal order, court hearing and daily fine, no action has been taken so the council has once again taken Williams, of Navigation Street, Mountain Ash, to court.

The latest case was heard at Aberdare Magistrates’ Court on August 10, during which Williams admitted non-compliance with the legal order made in 2006.

Sentencing was adjourned for three months to allow Williams to undertake any work that may be used as a mitigating factor when he is sentenced.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s recycling champion mascot had a very warm welcome from all the children at the Cynon Valley school who have plenty of “green schemes” ongoing in the school to keep them occupied with environmental issues.

They recently held a local survey on how many plastic carrier each family used every week. Their results showed that the average household used five to six plastic carrier bags a week and they tried to warn people of the impact they can have on the environment.

It was just one of many visits Rhys makes every week to primary, infant schools and nurseries as well as regular guest appearances in various functions from fun days to rugby matches.

Joined by members of the Council’s Streetcare Awareness Team, Rhys makes sure every child he meets realizes how important it is to recycle and encourage more people to get involved.

The event aims to encourage people to get involved in the project by giving their views and thoughts.

In April 2008 following a tender process run by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, Nuon was chosen as the preferred developer to look at developing a wind energy project of around 100 turbines on a large area of land managed by the Forestry Commission and owned by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The land stretches from the Upper Afan Valley to the lower end of the Cynon Valley.

For further information and details on other public events, please see the website of Nuonrenewables here http://www.penycymoeddwindfarm.info/

Staff from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s recycling team will be on hand at recycling points at Tesco, Aberdare, on January 7th 11.30am – 1pm

Trees will be taken away for chipping, and Christmas cards and wrapping paper can also be recycled – as well as household batteries (no vehicle batteries).

You can also drop your tree off for recycling at the Community Recycling Sites from 8.00am to 5.30pm on any day with the exception of Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Stuart Cable, who is an ex-pupil of the school, officially opened the new ‘outdoor’ classroom last week (December 2nd 2008). The new facility has now created an outdoor learning environment to support pupils’ learning in line with the Foundation phase initiative.

Christine Chapman, Assembly Member, for Cynon Valley, also attended the unveiling and was keen to stress the importance of using the outdoors in education.

This new resource will enable pupils to develop additional skills and encourage new interests, as well as raising awareness on issues like, healthy living, healthy eating and environmental topics including recycling.

Cwmaman Infants School received a grant of £4,990 from the lottery funded “Awards for All” project for the development of the outside area to support pupils’ learning and foster community links.

Landscape Consultant, Mr. Lofthouse, worked with the school’s Eco committee to plan the area and ensured that the children’s ideas were included in planning the layout of the garden.

Headteacher, Mrs. Lesley Rees, said: “It is hoped that we will continue to develop the outside area when funding allows. I am thrilled at the award, which has enabled the school to develop a facility, which will benefit all pupils and the wider community.”

Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “ This is a very good opportunity for children to get involved in gardening and other outdoor learning activities. It is very important that young children are aware of environmental issues at a young age, as the importance of topics such as recycling and healthy eating are a major concern for us all.

This new facility will also be used to involve community groups in gardening activities and local parent /toddler groups will be encouraged to use the area.

A Public Inquiry will be held by the National Assembly’s Planning Inspectorate into a planning application for a series of wind turbines near Aberdare.

The application, submitted by Pennant Walters Ltd. is for the erection of nine wind turbines, an anemometer and associated infrastructure and buildings on land south of the A465 in Hirwaun at Hirwaun Common, Mynydd Cefn y Gyngon and Mynydd Bwllfa.

The turbines are 115 metres high and will generate up to 3MW each of renewable (wind generated) energy.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has objected to the proposed development on the grounds that it would have an unacceptably detrimental impact on the standards of amenity to occupiers of properties in the vicinity of the application site can reasonably expect to enjoy.

It also objected on the grounds of the adverse effect on the use and enjoyment of the Dare Valley Country Park. Pennant Walters has appealed against this decision

The Public Inquiry – which is scheduled to last for eight days – will begin at 10am on Tuesday 14th October 2008 in Hirwaun Village Hall.

It was just one of many visits Rhys makes every week to primary, infant schools and nurseries as well as regular guest appearances in various functions from fun days to rugby matches.