Council leads the way in a bid to make district a better place to live

A major campaign to make Newark and Sherwood a cleaner, safer and greener place to live, work and visit is being launched today.

The district council will lead action on issues ranging from street litter, dog fouling, and anti-social behaviour to recycling and refuse collection.

The Advertiser is backing the initiative, which will seek to empower residents to help improve where they live.

Communities will be urged to ensure their own environments are cleaner and greener.
The objectives, include:

• Days of action, in partnership with communities and businesses, to help improve designated neighbourhoods. Council staff will work with the community to clean streets and deal with safety issues.

• Subject to policy and finance committee approval in September, the recruitment of two street wardens with powers to impose fixed-penalty notices for anyone caught littering or allowing dog fouling.

• A clampdown on fly-posting — unauthorised advertising signs attached to railings and street furniture.

• An information pack to be sent to parish and town councils encouraging communities to organise litter-picks with council equipment and support.

• An information campaign to improve household recycling and reduce bin contamination. The council will be writing to homes stating what household items can and cannot be recycled.

• New reporting mechanisms for residents to notify the council about environmental crime. For example, flytipping, dog fouling, littering and graffiti.

• Reduce anti-social behaviour in parks and green spaces.

The cleaner, safer and greener campaign received unanimous backing of councillors on Tuesday.

Council leader Mr David Lloyd said: “Newark and Sher-wood is already a good place to live, work and visit but we can all do more by working together.
“With our partners, local communities, businesses and residents, we can all make

Newark and Sherwood a cleaner, safer and greener place that we are all proud of.

“We want to work with partners and communities to further improve the quality of life as a cleaner, safer and greener environment helps to promote well-being, happiness and productivity. However, make no mistake, we will take action on those who spoil and disrespect our environment.”

He said people committing anti-social behaviour needed to be looking over their shoulders.

“They are not going to get away with it,” he said.

Mr Lloyd said three penalty notices had been issued in the past six months. Under the new campaign he expected three to be issued each day.

Deputy leader Mr Keith Girling said: “Newark and Sherwood is a fantastic place to live but often, as councillors, we get to hear about the negatives and what has the most detrimental impact on people’s lives.

“That is why, as a council, we will be using resources in tackling what people have been telling us they want.

“We live here too and it means a lot to every one of us that we all respect our neighbours and where we live.”

Mrs Abbie Truswell (Lab) said the initiative was a breath of fresh air.

Mrs Gill Dawn (Ind) said the area she represented suffered from all the problems to be targeted in the campaign.

“We need to come down with a heavy hand on all these issues,” she said.

The Nottinghamshire branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) said it was supportive of the campaign.

Bettina Lange, policy advisor to the CPRE in Notting-hamshire, said: “We would encourage other district councils to do something similar tailored to the issues in their areas.”

To report an incident, complete the online form at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/onlineforms/

Alternatively, call the customer services team on 01636 650000.