Llanelli backs ‘Skip Day’ plan to tackle fly‑tipping scourge — with councillors insisting: ‘Charge the offenders, not the community’
The plan, which will now be developed into a fully costed pilot, could see skips placed at key locations on set days to give people a simple, legal way to dispose of bulky waste. Councillors say the move could help cut down on the sofas, mattresses and household junk that regularly appear in hotspots across the town.
Town Council leader Cllr David Darkin, who brought the original motion forward ahead of this week’s meeting, said the scale of fly‑tipping had become impossible to ignore.
“Fly‑tipping and rubbish are blighting communities across Llanelli, and residents are rightly frustrated,” he said. “Waste services are a county council responsibility, but… we continue to see problems go unresolved locally.”
Cllr Darkin said the Town Council “cannot simply stand by”, adding that a Skip Day 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.”
His motion was co‑signed by Cllr Shaun Greaney, who said residents were being pushed into difficult situations.
“Residents want to do the right thing, but when services do not work properly, it leads to frustration and illegal dumping,” he said.
He added that councillors were “stepping up to try and bridge that gap and give communities some immediate relief.”
Cross‑party amendment tightens the plan
When the proposal reached the council meeting on Wednesday (4 February), Independent councillors backed the idea but pushed for a more tightly controlled pilot — one that is fully costed, time‑limited and evidence‑led before any long‑term commitment is made.
Their amendment, which secured support from across the chamber, also calls for safeguards to prevent commercial or illegal dumping and for officers to explore partnership working with enforcement teams.
Independent members said the principle was clear: “Charge the offenders — not the community.”
What happens next
Town Council officers will now draw up a detailed pilot scheme, including potential locations, costs, environmental considerations and enforcement measures. A report will return to councillors once the work is complete.
Shared frustration over fly‑tipping
Despite political differences over how the scheme should be developed, councillors from all groups agreed that fly‑tipping has become a serious and growing problem across Llanelli.
Members said residents deserve clean streets and fair treatment — and that those responsible for dumping rubbish should be the ones paying for it.
More stories on fly‑tipping
Bridgend man sentenced for two fly‑tipping offences
A repeat offender is punished after dumping waste in two separate incidents.
Neath man fined after ignoring £400 penalty
A resident pays the price after failing to comply with a fixed penalty notice.
Vehicles crushed in fly‑tipping crackdown
Enforcement teams seize and destroy vehicles linked to illegal dumping.
Man pays heavy price for dumping waste in woodland
A fly‑tipper is hit with a hefty bill after rubbish is traced back to him.
Council crushes Llanelli man’s truck after debris dumped in Briton Ferry
A vehicle is destroyed after being used to dump household waste in two lanes.
