Over the past year the Council have been providing an education programme, working with schools and other key partners to raise awareness of the need to keep our Borough clean.

The programme was entered into the Clean Britain Awards, a National Awards Scheme for Council’s that are seen to be providing high quality community programmes to increase awareness to local residents, especially young people, about a clean environment.

At the awards ceremony on 26^th November 2014, the Council were awarded a 4 star commendation for the programme they provide.  This was the first time the Council had been entered for the award, and was a great achievement for the Council to be represented at in a National competition.

Although the award was a commendation for the work that was being done, it was felt that this should be tested to see what residents felt about the Street Scene Services provided across the Borough.  This was done through a short questionnaire run from September through to November.  The results were very positive, and are detailed in Appendix A.

The Council will continue to work with other agencies from across the County, and a new campaign is being developed as part of the Clean Essex campaign for 2015.

Members thanked staff for their hard work on the programme.

A Motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendations set out in the report.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

2.1      That Members note the success of the work being undertaken   through the education programme to highlight the need to keep              the Borough clean. 

2.2             To agree that a Full Environment/Awareness Action Plan be                   drafted to address an issues from the 2014 survey, for                                                  approval at the next meeting on 18^th March 2015.