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Clean Team blitz mean business
Monday 20th October 2008
There has been a clean team blitz on Front Street at Framwellgate Moor and the combined forces of City Council litter pickers, neighbourhood wardens, PCSO’s, “Food to Go” outlets and students from New College and Framwellgate School are proving they mean business.
Local Councillor, Cllr Mark Wilkes has championed the blitz after getting complaints from local residents, he said"Our neighbourhood wardens have been trying to educate young people particularly for the last 12 months - it seems that many parents don't instil the message not to drop litter like they used to.
"What we need is to adopt a mutual partnership approach to the issues and attempt to change current attitudes collectively that "someone else" is responsible for tirelessly clearing up after mindless litter offenders
The clampdown means there has been an increase in the number of fines handed out on both Front Street and on the estates off Front Street for dropping litter and will continue to be handed out.
"With the new term it's been a good opportunity to continue this programme with the local school and college who have taken the matter very seriously and individual students from both have recently received written praise for their positive actions and attitudes and we can only hope this will be modelled by others in the future." said Cllr Wilkes.
Natalie Phillips is the local Neighbourhood warden and was keen to get the local takeaway shops more involved. She said,
"As well as displaying anti-littering posters, the majority of "food to go" outlets on the Front Street have voluntarily agreed to litter pick any loose litter generated from their business from the front of their premises after lunchtime trading.
"The level of support and partnership working will have a greater impact on the positive handling of the problems and will allow the Street Scene team to concentrate on a wide affected area. A large number of Stubbi Pouch ashtrays have been handed out to reduce cigarette litter and we are considering the possibility of installed temporary bins during the lunch time period.
"Together, the team of neighbourhood wardens and I have scheduled more patrols so we can talk with students and residents and enforce the law as necessary."
Following discussions, the College has displayed a new sign leading off the site to remind students about not dropping litter, and all students are being contacted by email.
Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Carol Woods said how important it was to work constructively with all interested parties, she said"There are new students at the college and school every year of course so this is an ongoing programme of liaison and encouragement but I'm delighted that there is real action taking place on the ground."
Revised time slots for emptying the bins before busy periods have been implemented recently to try and cut down the possibility of litter being blown about and Cllr Wilkes is now very hopeful, he said
"The volume of litter increases significantly during term time on Front Street but that doesn't mean that it is only students causing the problem - our fixed penalty fines are being levelled at anyone dropping litter".
"Cleanliness of our local streets and open spaces is the responsibility of everyone in the community and with the help of our neighbourhood wardens and street scene people I think we can build local pride back into the area."