Member Article

North Tyneside is national winner for cleanest streets

North Tyneside has proved it is one of the cleanest places in the country after being awarded the coveted National Award in the 2012 Clean Britain Awards.

The award issued by the Chartered Institution of Wastes management (CIWM) - the leading professional body for the sector - was handed over at a ceremony, held at the NEC Birmingham, yesterday (Thursday, September 13)

North Tyneside Council was pleased to retain its 5 star award (the highest grade rating), along with a Gold Award for the best medium sized local authority (100 -200,000 population) and overall National Award Winner in the Clean Britain Awards.

The Chartered Institute of Waste Management awards and ratings are based on an unannounced inspection of random locations in the borough as well as the council’s entry submission.

The council’s performance came through a tough judging process. Thirteen elements are assessed across a range of ten locations in the submitted area and each element is scored out of 10. This includes assessment of the levels of general litter, chewing gum and smoking-related litter, fly-tipping, graffiti and the provision and condition of litter bins.

North Tyneside Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said: “I know how important keeping our borough clean and tidy is for our residents so achieving the best overall authority award is fantastic news.

“This achievement recognises the strides we’ve made to make this a cleaner and greener borough.

“However, this rating wouldn’t be possible without the daily efforts of our staff and I would like to them for their hard work and commitment.”

The entry highlights the success of some the council’s environmental schemes, including North Tyneside in Bloom, Big Spring Clean, and autumn environment campaign, which all rally local communities to support the authority’s commitment to maintaining a clean and green borough..

The awards are run jointly by the British Cleaning Council and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and are open to all local authorities and other organisations involved in managing public spaces.

“Our communities deserve well maintained and attractive public places and the Clean Britain Awards recognise and reward the efforts made by councils and other organisations to keep our local areas clean and welcoming, “ said Steve Lee, Chief Executive of CIWM. “The quality of our local environment contributes directly to the sense of wellbeing and civic pride and plays an important role in improving the economic prosperity of our towns, cities, boroughs and rural districts.”

Kier is the sponsor of the 2012 awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jeanette Hedley .