A dedicated litter and waste action team has been formed by Thanet District Council to clean up in Cliftonville West.
The team, made up of 12 people, will concentrate on litter, cleanliness, waste and fly-tipping issues which affect the ward.
The move follows the raising of concerns, and a petition, by resident’s group A Better Cliftonville (ABC).
In July ABC member Joanne Goodson spoke at a council meeting, saying the ward needed large, clear signs instructing people to responsibly dispose of litter and dog waste; more bins and a better use of enforcement to send a clear message that littering and dog fouling would not be accepted.
A petition, with 182 validated signatures, was also handed in.
Following talks between ABC and Thanet council leader Chris Wells, the council has formed the new Environmental Action Team to focus on areas identified as having the most problems with waste and uncleanliness. The action team, which launched on Monday, will also concentrate on educating residents about how to be more responsible with their waste for the benefit of all those that live in the area.
The new approach will result in the team being assigned specifically to four identified areas of Cliftonville West.
Members are made up of:
- 2 x Street Scene Enforcement Officers (including dog fouling enforcement)
- 1 x Cleansing Supervisor
- 1 x Civil Enforcement Officer
- 1 x Selective Housing Licensing Officer
- 1 x Open Spaces operative
- 1 x Minor Works team member
- 5 x Street cleaning operatives, both manual street sweepers and mechanical
Each of the four areas will be focused on for a sustained period of time to prevent any build-up of long-standing issues.
Cllr Lin Fairbrass, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environmental Services, said: “A clean and welcoming environment is one of the council’s top priorities and we are always open to listen and respond to resident’s concerns with new initiatives to address the issues that matter most.
“I’m sure this new action team will make a significant and visible impact to the street scene in Cliftonville, helping to provide much-needed reassurance to residents in the area that we are listening to their views and acting on them to find a solution.
“What’s also important about this initiative and why it is focusing on Cliftonville, is unfortunately the majority of issues associated with illegally dumped waste and litter come from within this residential footprint, so the team will also be educating residents on how to be more responsible with their waste.”
All members of the action team will wear blue and silver high visibility tabards/vests.
To begin with their work will focus on replacing broken or missing residential bin lids, enforcement of fly-tipping, nuisance parking, littering and dog fouling, as well as more thorough attention on street cleaning, include weeding and alleyway clearances.
Extra weekly collections will also be introduced at problem roads where waste and litter has been identified as a constant issue due to the concentration of multiple occupation houses.
Ms Goodson said: “ABC are very happy that TDC have acknowledged and are acting upon residents’ concerns regarding the cleanliness of Cliftonville. We look forward to seeing the impact of the new approach and will work closely with Trevor Kennett and the action team to bring about the positive change needed to improve the area.”
If the scheme is successful, other action teams could also be formed to focus on areas of the district which might need similar attention.