Lib Dems welcome new 'Clean and Green Team'

12.52.43pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Aug 2006

Local Lib Dems are giving their backing to a new District Council initiative to set up a Clean and Green Team, the first fully qualified team of its kind in the country.

The team is being established to tackle enviro-crimes which can seriously affect people's quality of life on a daily basis by taking advantage of new powers given to local authorities under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. These powers include instant removal of abandoned and nuisance vehicles, higher minimum penalties for fly tipping, dog control orders which include fouling, fly posting, litter which now includes chewing gum and smoking material.

Lead Member for the Environment, Julie Carr, says of the initiative: "The Clean and Green Team is a bold new project that the District Council have undertaken in an effort to cut down on enviro-crimes such as abandoned vehicles and fly tipping. The Team will not only have the power to issue fixed penalty notices and formal warnings, but will also play a very important role in educating and engaging with the public on environmental issues."

Lead Member for Communities, Liz Lee, adds: "The District will work closely with Town and Parish Councils and the police, especially Police Community Support Officers, to reduce the incidence of enviro-crimes. The Clean and Green Team will use the same radios as the police and be able to contact them directly if necessary. It is a ground-breaking project and the first of its kind anywhere in the UK."

A publicity launch will take place at the end of August so that the public and businesses can find out about the new legislation, and the team will go 'live' in the middle of September.