Show your love for Rotherham, new clean-up campaign urges

At the launch in Minster Gardens recently were, front row (from left to right): cabinet member for waste, roads and community safety Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Love Where You Live co-ordinator Wayne Munro-Smith and assistant director of community safety and street scene Karen Hanson along with councillors and volunteer litter pickers

The Borough Council kicked off the Love Where You Live campaign last Tuesday, inspired by volunteers who carry out litter picks and clean-ups on their doorsteps.

The drive for more community clean-up heroes will run alongside a crackdown on littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling across the borough, which is set to see a dedicated enviro-crime squad patrolling the streets and back lanes from April.

The council’s Cabinet member for waste, roads and community safety, Cllr Emma Hoddinott, said: “There is always more that can be done to make an area look nicer, and we want to make it easy for people to do something about it.

“We really want to hear from as many people as possible who want to get involved.

“This may mean organising a community litter-pick or joining one which has already been arranged.

“All you need to do is sign up to become a volunteer, giving as much or as little time as you’d like, and we’ll provide all the necessary equipment and support.”

Also at the launch were community litter-pickers including Mary Jacques, from Blackburn, who said: “When we have a litter-pick we try to get young people involved, with a prize for who picks the most litter.

“It makes you proud to get involved and make your place a better place to live.”

Alongside the drive for community support, the council has agreed to join up with Doncaster Council from April and use private firm Kingdom Security for a new blitz on fly-tipping and littering.

Rotherham wardens issued 365 fines for littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling in the past four years, but wants its new team to match Doncaster’s record of 5,000 fixed penalties in a year, with culprits set to be stung for up to £400 on the spot.

A new Love Where You Live website has been launched at www.rotherham.gov.uk/litterpick where residents can find out more about becoming volunteer as well as when future litter-picks will take place.

If you have ideas about how to improve where you live, email [email protected] or call the council on 01709 823726.