Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

On Monday (25 September) we launched our ‘100 Day’ Campaign towards a ‘Cleaner, Greener’ Charnwood. To mark the start of the Campaign two international street artists and staff from the Council entertained shoppers in Loughborough and handed out leaflets explaining what the campaign is all about.

The aim of the campaign is to bring environmental issues to the front of people’s minds and marks the start of the official countdown to issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (on the spot fines) to enforce the message to those who commit ‘enviro-crimes’. Failure to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice will result in prosecution. The campaign will run from Monday (25 September) until 2 January 2007.

A whole host of areas are covered under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act (2005) which means that Local Authorities can fine those who commit ‘enviro-crimes’ without consideration or care for their fellow residents or the environment.

Leader, Cllr Max Hunt, explained: “The majority of residents respect and highly value their communities and the beautiful environment we have here in Charnwood. However, there is a minority that are less considerate!

“This campaign is based on three principles; it will Inform people what the Act involves, how it affects them and their neighbourhoods; it will then Assist people in understanding and preparing for the Act to come into full use and finally; it will Enforce through Fixed Penalty Notices/On the spot fines.”

The street artists, from the Bread and Butter Theatre will be accompanied by Charnwood Borough Council staff providing information.

Two performances will be laid on during the lunchtime launch: Lord of the Bins – will welcome ‘Gandalf the Garbage’ and ‘Frodo Bin-Baggins’ (Can you see what I did there?) as two very special puppets perched on their very own bins, with a mission to save Middle Earth with their recycling message. A second performance will welcome Two Huge Topiary Bushes nestled in gigantic terracotta pots. It is hoped that passers by will be surprised and delighted by the mischievous garden fairies that live within. But beware! They can be over zealous with their watering cans!

There will be 15 ‘themed’ weeks throughout the campaign and a high profile publicity and media campaign to ensure that all residents understand how it will affect them on a daily basis.

Cllr. Sandie Gough, Cabinet Member for Environment, added: “The aim is to make Charnwood a ‘Cleaner, Greener’ place. We are responding directly to residents feedback that has asked the Council to prioritise the local environment and we hope that by raising awareness throughout the ‘100 Days’ people will begin to realise that the Borough Council is doing a massive amount to improve ‘street scene’.

“This awareness raising is also supported by our seven new Street Wardens, who will take to their posts during the campaign. These officers will patrol throughout the Borough and will issue Fixed Penalty Notice to those committing so called ‘enviro-crimes’, including littering, graffiti and abandoned vehicles.”