BUY NOTHING DAY LITTER PICK

On Saturday 28 November 2009, one of the year's busiest shopping days, ‘Buy Nothing Day’ is asking people to stop shopping - for a whole day!

Why? Well it's a chance to step off the treadmill and really think about what we are consuming and the environmental consequences.

How many things do you buy without really thinking about whether you need them?

We live in a throwaway society where we buy convenience items and then discard them without a thought.

This year’s Buy Nothing Day will be celebrated with an organised litter pick led by Student Liaison Officer Kieran McCann supported by Tidy Towns.

The litter pick will take place along the Taff Trail and surrounding areas including Grangetown and Riverside between 12.30-15.30 on Saturday 28th November. All volunteers to meet outside 89 Corporation Road, Grangetown, CF11 7AQ at 12.00 for a 12.30 start.


Councillor Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Communities said: “Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental effects of consumption. Over the Festive Season we'll throw away over 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging, 6 million Christmas trees and 83 square km of wrapping paper. This important campaign aims to help clear up the area littered with unnecessary waste, encourages recycling and gives people a chance to think about their consumption habits by stopping shopping for a day and partaking in positive actions.”

Indeg Jones, Cardiff Tidy Towns Officer for Keep Wales Tidy, said: “It’s great to see people getting involved in these events. By doing a litter pick we will not only be doing our bit for ‘buy nothing day’ but we will also be highlighting the amount of waste being produced in this high consumer society that we live in. Tidy Towns is always happy to support any event which results in less litter on our streets.”

On ‘Buy Nothing Day’ people around the UK will make a pact with themselves to take a break from shopping and the best thing is - IT'S FREE!!!

All equipment for the litter pick will be provided including litter pickers, bin liners, guidelines and a safety talk will be provided. Please bring your own gloves, waterproofs and sensible footwear and a home made packed lunch.

For further details contact:
Kieran McCann, Student Liaison Officer(029) 2053 7061

http://www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/

kmccann@cardiff.gov.uk

http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/

Indeg Jones, Cardiff Tidy Towns project officer, Keep Wales Tidy
Tel: 07717 412270 Email: indeg.jones@keepwalestidy.org

Additional Licensing Information for Students

What does additional licensing mean to you?
- Better housing conditions
- Improvements in Fire Safety
- Better health and Safety
- Nothing

The Council is consulting on additional licensing in Cathays so have your say via http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/haveyoursay/


Some properties in Cardiff need a licence from the Council. The licence makes sure that the house is brought up to a suitable safe condition, maintained and managed appropriately, so that it can be rented. The Council’s aim is to improve housing conditions by extending ‘Mandatory’ licensing to include ‘Additional’ licensing in the Cathays Community Ward that will initially run for a period of up to 5 years.

What is Licensing?

Cardiff Council operates a Mandatory Licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMO) which consist of three or more storeys with 5 or more occupants the aim of which is to improve housing conditions.

But this licence does not cover all student houses because of the housing style’s we have in Cardiff.

However, the Housing Act 2004 enables Local Authorities to extend licensing to address particular problems that may exist in smaller HMO properties (and also in sub-standard converted self-contained flats). These additional provisions include “Additional Licensing”.

What are the aims of Licensing?

The aim of HMO Licensing is to ensure that all Houses in Multiple Occupation in the private rented market meet legal standards, are safe and are properly managed.

It ensures that HMO’s are suitably equipped with amenities and facilities for the number of occupants and to ensure they are effectively managed by fit and proper persons.

Why Licence HMO’s?

Improvements to Accommodation will be secured by licensing conditions including: - Fire safety and means of escape from fire
- Additional security
- Improved energy efficiency.

Improvements to Health & Safety (will be secured by) ensuring gas and electrical installations are safe.

Improvements to Management of HMO’s (will be secured by) ensuring that ongoing management standards are maintained.

Sustainable improvements to the Cathays area will be made through licensing conditions to improve the “street scene”

Licensed properties will abide by a common set of conditions meaning a consistent approach to Tenancy Management & Property Conditions

Improvements made through Landlord training

Eradication of bad landlords – Only fit and proper landlords will be awarded a licence

Any work required to bring your property up to standard will be enforced by the Council and require the landlord to bring standards up to scratch. The Council will work with landlords to ensure minimum disruption to students, although any serious health and safety issues will be dealt with immediately.

What happens Next?
The consultation period on the proposed implementation is open now until 15th December – have you say now by visiting http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/haveyoursay/