Improving Street Sweeping in Southwell

The Town Council has decided to take over responsibility for keeping the town clean from the District Council who currently try to do the job. The District Council runs the cleaning at the moment, but many residents have complained to the Focus team about the quality of street sweeping under the current arrangements.

Peter Harris, the Chairman of the Town Council's Policy and Finance Committee said "by running the street sweeping ourselves we can make sure that there is a quick response to complaints about litter. We know where the problems are - and will provide a good service across the town."

The Town Council will now be negotiating with the District Council for a fair level of funding. Eileen Rodgers, the present Town Council Chairman said "we are expecting the District, which collects the Council Tax for street sweeping, to provide a fair share of the funds to the town to organise sweeping. We should expect all of the money which is spent on street sweeping in the town at the moment to be available to the Town."

The Focus Team points out that improving the street sweeping may cost some extra money, and is seeking your views on this. It is possible that up to £1 per 'D' Band house per year may be needed to provide regular street sweeping in the town centre, as well as regular sweeping of every single road and paved footpath in the town.

What do you think? Please reply by e-mail below.

Focus will report.