Solutions sought to Tenby’s waste and litter issues

Councillors in Tenby want waste collection issues within the town looked at, with a suggestion that seagull proof bags be made free of charge to businesses and households within the coastal town.

Issues with waste and littered being scattered across the town of a morning, before waste collections are made, have blighted Tenby for years, with solutions sought to tackle the ongoing problem.

The matter was put on the agenda of the recent meeting of Tenby Town Council by Cllr Matthew Ronowitz, and although he was unable to attend discussions, the Mayor, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall told fellow members that she had spoken to him and it was suggested that dates are looked at and a working group formed to look at different ways of approaching the issue concerning trade waste collection arrangements.

Cllr Sue Lane remarked that as the town was almost at the height of summer, she wanted it made known that seagull proof bags were available to purchase from the town council offices and that these bags do protect waste bags from the gulls.

The Mayor said she felt that the gull proof bags should be compulsory in Tenby.

It was also touted that businesses and households should be given the bags free of charge.

Cllr Charles Dale said his concerns on this, was that recycling receptacles go missing, which had happened to him, and his fear was that the same would happen to the seagull proof bags.

It was suggested that perhaps the first bags given out could be free, with a charge then made if a replacement was required.

FOOTNOTE: On Friday morning (July 22) - the Observer received correspondence from Mark Phillips, of Clareston Court, in Tenby, who wished to highlight such issues with the photo provided: “This is the view from my bedroom window this morning (bin by Tenby Train Station, Warren Street).

“For two mornings in a row now, seagulls have ripped apart bin bags with food waste in that have been left by the side of the bin by holiday makers or possibly Tenby residents.

“The noise the seagulls make while ripping the bin bags apart make it impossible to sleep through.

“Maybe it’s time to introduce fines or remove the bin?

“I have sent these photos to Pembrokeshire County Council as well to see if they will do anything,” he added.