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Our Policies

Biodiversity Duty

Action for Nature sets out the priorities for actions for biodiversity across Rhondda Cynon Taf for a wide range of partners. The Authority has specific biodiversity responsibilities which are highlighted under Section 6 (S.6) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. This is called the ‘Biodiversity Duty’.

Our Biodiversity Duty document outlines Rhondda Cynon Taf’s responsibilities and plans concerning the management of biodiversity throughout the county borough and one of its actions is managing grassland for wildlife.

In 2017, a draft report was prepared for Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC setting out the proposals for implementing the new Biodiversity Duty. The proposals were accepted and a Duty Action spreadsheet set up. A progress report was submitted to Cabinet and the Climate Change Scrutiny Group in the autumn of 2019.

Local Nature Recovery Action Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Action for Nature is a plan to help nature thrive in Rhondda Cynon Taf.  We have amazing wildlife and it is on our doorsteps.  Read the Biodiversity Tour of Rhondda Cynon Taf to find out more.

If you would like to be involved in helping wildlife, you can join the Local Nature Recovery Action Plan Steering Group, a local group or one of the many wildlife organisations.  For more information contact parkscountryside@rctcbc.gov.uk

Please note: the ‘Action for Nature Plan’ is currently being reviewed. Should you wish to contribute to the review, please feel free to contact us by email at parkscountryside@rctcbc.gov.uk.  

View Part One of Action for Nature

Detailed habitat and species action plans are available by clicking here: - Part Two 

The Action Plan is monitored by the Steering Group.  Over the next couple of years, they will update the Action Plan, to reflect the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. 

Grass Verge Management Policy

We are very lucky in Rhondda Cynon Taf that we still have wildflower rich meadows and marshes.  In most parts of Britain these rare habitats have all but disappeared. We are also very lucky that many of our grass verges and open spaces support the same wildflowers. When grassy areas are not mown and given a chance to flower, they can provide a beautiful floral display and important habitat for bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies.

Once the flowers and grasses have set and shed their seeds, the area will be cut and the ‘hay’ (clippings) collected. This is usually done in the autumn, using a special ‘cut and collect’ machine which picks up the clippings.  These are then used to form eco-piles to become homes for slow worms and other reptiles which are also under threat throughout the UK. 

Removing the cuttings is a very important step as it prevents more nutrients to be recycled within the soil. If you allow clippings to be washed down into the soil, they breakdown and fertilise it thus encouraging more grass growth and the soil becomes too rich for wild flowers to thrive.  By removing the clippings, the area will become more flower-rich, year on year and become a vital habitat for insects and other animals to live, feed, breed.

If you would like to find out more, please click on our Wildflower Grass Management Policy.  You can also read the Invertebrate Report – highlighting the results from a survey of some of our road verges or, check out our Grass Cutting Schedules page for council managed grass.

Nesting birds

Nesting birds are protected by law.  The Council provides advice to contractors and staff.