New-look street cleaning service delivers
Posted on Tuesday 26 June 2007
City of York Council's hugely successful new approach to street cleaning has
dramatically improved the cleanliness of the city.
Spot checks carried out this month show that the number of streets that do not meet the required level of cleanliness is decreasing.
Specific examples include Guildhall ward, where just two per cent of streets did not meet the required levels of cleanliness against a figure of 12 per cent for 2006; Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, where nine per cent of streets recently failed to meet the required standards compared to a figure of 33 per cent for 2006; and Holgate, where 7 per cent of streets failed to meet the required levels of cleanliness compared to a massive 41 per cent during spot checks carried out in 2006. This equates to a 34 per cent improvement for Holgate!
A pilot version of the new street cleaning scheme was initially trialled in the west of York and proved so successful that it was rolled out to five more 'zones' in April. These are the north zone (Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, Haxby and Wigginton, Huntington and New Earswick, and Strensall); the south zone (Rural West York; Bishopthorpe and Wheldrake, and Heworth Without, Derwent and Osbaldwick); the east zone (Heworth, Clifton, Guildhall (outside Bar Walls), Hull Road, Fishergate, Heslington, and Fulford) and the city zone (Guildhall and Micklegate inside the Bar Walls).
Each zone has its own dedicated cleansing team, which is headed up by a street environment officer. The team's role is to clear litter; empty dog bins; and provide a rapid response to complaints or problems, mechanical sweeping and a regular cleaning service carried out by a barrowman.
Many residents will have spotted their local barrowman out and about sweeping and litter-picking. One of the aims of this new way of working is to enable residents to recognise members of their local cleansing team so that they have an opportunity to draw their attention to any problems or issues causing them concern.
It was introduced following a four-month long trial in the west of the city that tested out the idea of having a dedicated team to tackle littering and street cleaning. Feedback from residents and staff in the pilot area was very positive and an unprecedented number of compliments were received about having a barrowman 'on the beat'.
Terry Collins, director of Neighbourhood Services for the council, explained: "These figures are really encouraging and show that the new approach to street cleaning is already having an impact.
"We have really gone back to old ways of working and it means that the cleansing teams are able to take ownership of their rounds. They can then build relationships with businesses and residents in the area.
“Because they operate at a local level, the teams are able to tackle problems quickly and provide a service that best meets the needs of their area. However, I'm aware that we still have work to do and can improve further."
The new teams have been formed using existing resources, although two additional enforcement officers will soon to be appointed to help tackle environmental crime, such as littering, fly-tipping and waste problems.
Spot checks carried out this month show that the number of streets that do not meet the required level of cleanliness is decreasing.
Specific examples include Guildhall ward, where just two per cent of streets did not meet the required levels of cleanliness against a figure of 12 per cent for 2006; Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, where nine per cent of streets recently failed to meet the required standards compared to a figure of 33 per cent for 2006; and Holgate, where 7 per cent of streets failed to meet the required levels of cleanliness compared to a massive 41 per cent during spot checks carried out in 2006. This equates to a 34 per cent improvement for Holgate!
A pilot version of the new street cleaning scheme was initially trialled in the west of York and proved so successful that it was rolled out to five more 'zones' in April. These are the north zone (Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, Haxby and Wigginton, Huntington and New Earswick, and Strensall); the south zone (Rural West York; Bishopthorpe and Wheldrake, and Heworth Without, Derwent and Osbaldwick); the east zone (Heworth, Clifton, Guildhall (outside Bar Walls), Hull Road, Fishergate, Heslington, and Fulford) and the city zone (Guildhall and Micklegate inside the Bar Walls).
Each zone has its own dedicated cleansing team, which is headed up by a street environment officer. The team's role is to clear litter; empty dog bins; and provide a rapid response to complaints or problems, mechanical sweeping and a regular cleaning service carried out by a barrowman.
Many residents will have spotted their local barrowman out and about sweeping and litter-picking. One of the aims of this new way of working is to enable residents to recognise members of their local cleansing team so that they have an opportunity to draw their attention to any problems or issues causing them concern.
It was introduced following a four-month long trial in the west of the city that tested out the idea of having a dedicated team to tackle littering and street cleaning. Feedback from residents and staff in the pilot area was very positive and an unprecedented number of compliments were received about having a barrowman 'on the beat'.
Terry Collins, director of Neighbourhood Services for the council, explained: "These figures are really encouraging and show that the new approach to street cleaning is already having an impact.
"We have really gone back to old ways of working and it means that the cleansing teams are able to take ownership of their rounds. They can then build relationships with businesses and residents in the area.
“Because they operate at a local level, the teams are able to tackle problems quickly and provide a service that best meets the needs of their area. However, I'm aware that we still have work to do and can improve further."
The new teams have been formed using existing resources, although two additional enforcement officers will soon to be appointed to help tackle environmental crime, such as littering, fly-tipping and waste problems.
