Press Release: AM WELCOMES FUNDING TO KEEP NEATH TIDY

- Welsh Labour announces local clean up fund

COMMUNITY projects are celebrating winning extra funds to give the Upper Amman Valley an early spring clean thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed Welsh Labour Environment Minister Jane Davidson’s announcement that £26,500 has been awarded for Keep Wales Tidy for environmental clean up projects in the Upper Amman Valley.

Funding will support a project which aims to develop a set of resources and approaches that will help groups and organisations across Wales to tackle local problems. One of the Pilot areas will be the Upper Amman Valley – which suffer from high Local Environmental Quality problems including litter, dog fouling and fly tipping. Action will involve high profile campaigns, production of campaign materials and tools and materials.

GWENDA THOMAS AM said:

‘’During the Assembly election last May, Welsh Labour promised action for a cleaner and greener Neath. We are now acting on that promise.

‘‘Local people I talk to are very concerned about the litter and graffiti on their streets and in our community and they want to play their part in improving their environment. I am delighted with this boost from the Assembly Government for these local community projects.

‘’Welsh Labour is also planning tough action on recycling, litter, dog fouling, graffiti and fly-tipping by seeking new powers for the Assembly Government over environmental protection.

‘’And thanks to record investment in recycling Wales smashed last year’s target to recycle more than 25% of our waste and is on course to make sure 40% of waste is recycled by 2010.’’

‘’Cleaning up our environment will go a long way to improve people’s quality of life and make our community a safer, cleaner and a greener place to live.