New council cleaning team set for city streets

A year long pilot scheme to improve the cleanliness, safety and appearance of Wolverhampton is being proposed by the city council.

The dedicated taskforce, which is set to be established after feedback from residents and local councillors, will be made up of staff from different council services.

The Love Your Community neighbourhood team will be made up of two crews, with the first due to start work before the end of the month, if plans are approved by cabinet on 21 January.

In addition to enhancing local streets and open areas, the team would work to increase pride and engagement in the area, said City of Wolverhampton Council.

The scheme will run alongside the council's existing services, meaning targeted support specific to individual locations could be provided without interrupting routine work, it said.

Activities the team will undertake include clearing problem litter spots, removing weeds, cleaning signs, manual and mechanical sweeping, painting and installing planters as well as encouraging community and volunteering opportunities.

Work will be prioritised based on a variety of factors reported to the team by local residents and councillors, added the council.

The local environment has a huge impact on a sense of pride and wellbeing, said councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services.

"We have listened to what people have said and are investing in this proactive new approach to do everything we can to make our city a cleaner, greener and safer place for local people to live."

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