LABOUR councillors at Llanelli Town Council are bringing forward proposals to introduce a new Skip Day scheme to tackle ongoing fly-tipping and waste problems affecting communities across the town.
A motion, proposed by Labour councillor David Darkin, and seconded by Labour councillor Shaun Greaney, will be debated at the next meeting of Llanelli Town Council.
It aims to provide residents with a practical way to dispose of bulky household waste amid continued failures in county-level waste provision.
The scheme would involve placing skips at strategic locations on designated days, giving residents a legal and accessible option to dispose of large items and helping to reduce illegal dumping, which has become increasingly common across Llanelli.
While waste collection and fly-tipping enforcement sit with Carmarthenshire County Council, which is run by Plaid Cymru, Labour councillors say that the situation has reached a point where town-level intervention is now necessary.
Councillor David Darkin said: ‘Fly-tipping and rubbish are blighting communities across Llanelli, and residents are rightly frustrated.
‘Waste services are a county council responsibility, but under Plaid Cymru’s control we continue to see problems go unresolved locally.
‘Labour councillors on the Town Council believe we cannot simply stand by.
‘This scheme will not solve everything, but it provides a much-needed outlet for residents and begins to tackle an issue that is being ignored at County level.’
The motion acknowledges that a Skip Day scheme is not a substitute for properly functioning waste services, but argues it is a necessary and pragmatic step while Llanelli continues to receive poorer outcomes than other parts of the county.
Under the proposals, Llanelli Town Council officers will be asked to design and cost a pilot scheme, identify suitable locations, and put safeguards in place to prevent misuse, including commercial dumping.
The pilot would be reviewed after an initial period to assess its impact on fly-tipping and community cleanliness.
Councillor Shaun Greaney said: ‘Residents want to do the right thing, but when services do not work properly, it leads to frustration and illegal dumping.
‘Labour councillors azre stepping up to try and bridge that gap and give communities some immediate relief.’
If approved, Llanelli Town Council will also write formally to Plaid Cymru-run Carmarthenshire County Council to inform them of the scheme and to reiterate the need for improved waste management provision and stronger action on fly-tipping in Llanelli.
Further details, including locations, dates and guidance on acceptable waste, would be shared with residents ahead of any launch.
