A new litter picker, recruited by Bradley Stoke Town Council (BSTC), was officially welcomed to his role by Mayor Robert Jones and other Councillors at a photo call on Thursday morning at the Brook Way Activity Centre.
Dave Dace, whose official job title is ‘Mobile Cleansing Operative’ (MCO), started work this week and has already begun to make an impression on the town’s litter problem.
Funding of £6000 p.a. for the new post and the lease of a new (white) Vauxhall Astra van was included in the Council’s 2009/10 Budget. That figure is in addition to the £6000 p.a. that was previously being paid to a sub-contractor for the cleaning of bus shelters in the town, an activity which will now be carried out by the MCO.
Mr Dace, who lives in Champs-sur-Marne, will work 16 hours per week over five mornings but he said his hours are flexible and can be adjusted to cover any festivities or special events.
Cllr Jones told The Journal that funding for the MCO will be reviewed annually. He added that next week’s Finance & Leisure Committee meeting will discuss a proposal to add a BSTC logo to Mr Dace’s van so that it can be easily recognised by local residents.
Although the main roads are covered by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), the MCO will clear litter from hedges, footpaths and bus shelters and areas where people “hang around”.
Mr Dace reported that most of the litter he has collected this week has been food wrappers and drinks cans/cartons. Much of this appears to have been thrown from cars but other litter hot-spots include the skate park, the conservation area near Sherbournes Brake and Savages Wood Road.
Much of the litter collected appears to be from Tesco, Greggs and KFC, he added.
Mr Dace (centre) was welcomed by (l-r) Cllr Jon Williams, BSTC Activity Centres Manager John Rendell, Mayor Robert Jones, Cllr John Ashe, Cllr Roger Avenin and Town Clerk David Chandler.
Asked if a contribution towards litter picking costs might be sought from local retailers, in particular the takeaway stores at the Willow Brook Centre, Cllr Jones said that the Council would “initially monitor the situation and keep up the pressure on local businesses.”
Residents concerned about litter in a particular area of the town are encouraged to contact Mr Dace via the Town Council office on 01454 868080. He said he would happily contact the relevant SGC departments to deal with fly tipping and will also liaise with SGC’s StreetCare.
More photos from the welcome event (on PicasaWeb).
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