Streetcare proposals are criticised by councillors

10:24am Thursday 5th October 2006

PLANS to halve the number of graffiti cleaners, swap litter pickers for street sweepers and to start charging for most pest control services in Basingstoke and Deane have come under fire.

The proposals are contained in the final results of a review of streetcare in Basingstoke and Deane, which were presented to the environment overview committee.

However, several committee members argued that some of the suggested cutbacks and changes will make the borough a dirtier place.

Former borough leader Councillor Paul Harvey said: "This report is suggesting that there will be cutbacks. Graffiti cleaners are going from two to one. There was stuff at the election criticising us for only having two people on graffiti."

Conservative Cllr Phil Heath also accused the council of offering a "half service" by only sweeping residential roads once a month under the proposals, rather than having regular litter-picks. However, officers argued street sweeping will be a more effective way of keeping the streets clean.

Other suggestions include training residents to be "graffiti-busters", increasing cleaning in children's play areas, and more use of fines for people who drop litter or repeatedly leave their wheelie bins in the street.

Councillors were concerned that residents could be fined if bins were left in the road by binmen or youths playing pranks.

Liberal Democrat Cllr John Wall said: "I personally have observed in Whitchurch that, along several streets, bins are not put back on the properties by binmen."

Committee members asked council leaders to ensure that the changes would not result in cuts in service.

Cllr Elaine Still, the Conservative Cabinet's environmental chief, said: "I am absolutely committed to making this borough a cleaner, greener, safer place and I actually think this report has gone a long way towards achieving that. But I have taken on board all of your comments."

Public consultation on the proposals is being carried out before they are submitted to the Cabinet for approval on October 31.

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