Photo opportunity: 10am Monday 9 June at Barrow lay-by on A14, (directions in notes at end), Cllr Tony Simmons, Forest Heath District Council and Cllr Peter Stevens, St Edmundsbury Borough Council join the new dedicated litter-picking team.
A ground-breaking council initiative will see waste and street scene services delivered in a much more joined-up way across west Suffolk. By working more closely together through a Joint Committee to manage these services Forest Heath District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council aim to tackle general cleanliness problems on a wider front and improve the effectiveness of the service residents receive for waste collection and recycling.
One immediate benefit is a dedicated highway litter picking team concentrating on the A14. Operating from a specially equipped vehicle, the two man team will be responsible for clearing the verges and lay-bys for the complete length of the dual carriageway as it crosses the two districts. Previously a single contractor had been responsible for clearing verges and lay-bys across the whole of Suffolk.
Efficiencies are already being made by maintaining refuse vehicles from both council's waste vehicle fleets at a central depot in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds.
Cllr Tony Simmons, Champion for the Environment at Forest Heath District Council said,
"This initiative will allow us to deliver the best value, high quality services that residents expect. Both districts have an excellent track record for recycling and the new Joint Committee will help to ensure that we can continue to make the most of opportunities to realise our aspirations in re-using, reducing and recycling our waste."
Cllr Peter Stevens, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cabinet member for Environment and Street Scene said,
"Quality of life rests heavily on maintaining a clean, green environment. It helps greatly that our two districts are both physically similar and strongly committed to continuous improvement in waste and street scene services. This initiative is forward looking, and puts us in a position to deliver residents' expectations. The A14 is the shop window for visitors to Suffolk and we are determined to keep the route cleaner and greener."
The relationship will be cemented at the first meeting of the joint committee on Friday 6 June, at the Forest Heath District Council Offices in Mildenhall, when the Chairman will be elected.
Ends
www.forest-heath.gov.uk
www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk
Media contacts
Sally Rodé, Corporate Development Officer (Communications), Phone: 01638 719361 Fax: 01638 716493 Email sally.rode@forest-heath.gov.uk
Sally Easton, Communications Officer, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Phone: 01284 757033 Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
Notes
Directions for photo opportunity: Take the Barrow exit on the west bound carriageway of the A14. At the end of the slip road, turn right onto the flyover and you will see the van and men below.
