City of York Council should work in partnership with local businesses to tackle litter problems in the city-centre. That is one of the potential recommendations that will be discussed by councillors at the Scrutiny Services Board when they meet to consider the outcomes from their scrutiny of street cleaning.

At their meeting, on Monday, January 21, councillors will discuss the draft report which also calls for improvements in the quality of street cleaning in residential areas, targeting of litter hotspots and the development of a litter reduction approach which uses both education and enforcement.

Although still a draft and subject to change, the overall message in the report is that the council does a pretty good job in keeping York clean. However, there are a number of specific areas where improvements must be made.

Scrutiny officer Brian Moran said "The report also stresses the need to make individuals and businesses take more responsibility for keeping York clean. The council doesn't cause York's litter problems and ultimately its residents who have to pay the bill for clearing-up the mess caused by irresponsible behaviour. We all have to play our part in making York cleaner and in preserving the quality of our local environment".

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