A CONTROVERSIAL litter enforcement firm is falling short of its own targets in Wrexham, according to new figures.

An internal document seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service shows that of the three staff members working in the county during July, only one met goals set by the company.

One operative handed out just nine of the £75 fines, which are issued by Kingdom for littering offences, falling 15 short of his set target.

Meanwhile, another gave out 11 and was also 11 short of his goal for the month, according to the document which appears to demonstrate how the company sets daily targets for its staff and offers financial incentives per fixed penalty notice in some parts of the UK.

It comes as protest is due to be held in the town this weekend, calling on Wrexham Council to end its relationship with the firm because of a breach of contract.

Last month it was revealed Kingdom only had one staff member working in the area and the Plaid Cymru group of councillors have reiterated their call for the local authority to serve notice on the deal.

Group leader Cllr Marc Jones said: “We have been told Kingdom has a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any littering.

“It’s time this council took a zero-tolerance approach to a company that has broken its contract with the authority and has failed to ensure that our streets are any cleaner.

“This is why Wrexham Against Kingdom has organised a peaceful protest against the policy to take place at Queens Square in Wrexham town centre this Saturday at midday.

“We’re calling on everybody who wants to see the back of this firm, which has not dealt with serious problems of dog fouling and flytipping, to join the protest.”

Cllr Jones said the terms of the contract state there should be between two and four staff in Wrexham, which is now the part of North Wales where the firm operates.

Kingdom pulled out of similar contracts in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Conwy in July and lost contracts with Anglesey and Gwynedd councils earlier this year.

In July, Plaid Cymru councillors put forward a motion to end the arrangement, which was rejected by the executive board.

It is understood Wrexham Council held a contract meeting with the company in August after admitting that the number of staff employed constituted a breach.

In response to Cllr Jones’ latest comments, Wrexham Council has reissued a statement it released in August, where it said it had set up a task and finish group because of the ‘very real’ concerns raised.

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “The group has met and I would like to thank them for their time on this matter so far.

“The group is made up of all political parties and we are awaiting their outcomes and findings and everyone should be assured we will consider their recommendations.

“All contracts are monitored by our procurement department.”