Beighton’s '10 Point Plan' for reducing litter

The following plan was agreed by the Environment Group for Beighton, and is ongoing and sustained from May 2004.

1.   Beighton needs, first and foremost, someone to pick litter up faster than people put it down (known as an 'amenities caretaker' or 'lengthsman/woman'), through Area Panel/ Council etc. – This must be the main and ultimate aim of the committee, if a lasting and sustainable difference is to be made to the problem of littering.

2.   More bins along main pathways – We accept that some people will never use bins but they will be used if they are there by others.  They are needed to be placed at ‘hot spots’ such as bus stops, in particular, and along main thoroughfares, particularly where children walk on a daily basis.  It is our aim to get a bin at every principal bus stop in Beighton and Sothall.

3.   Signage about bylaws re littering – Signage will help to promote an ethos in Beighton where it is generally known and accepted that littering is not acceptable or desirable and that it is regarded as anti social behaviour.  Signs themselves can get vandalised and become an eyesore so they are best as an integral part of a bin, and made more robust than those on lampposts.

4.   Work with Streetforce, to clean up 'hot spots' etc. and to deal with fly tipping promptly and appropriately.  The council will respond to calls from the public however we must make sure that Beighton gets its share of the limited resources available.

5.   Organise volunteers to do 'litter picks'.  Litter picks by volunteers do make a difference but they also send out the right message to other residents and raise general awareness, as well as getting people involved and increasing ownership of the plan.

6.   Eco schools and education of public.  Children are the future, and therefore it is important to make them see the connection between the environment and their future prosperity.

7.  Poster campaign and press publicity.  This will raise awareness and get ‘like minded’ people to join the campaign

8.   Prosecution of offenders – Wardens need to patrol the streets and positive publicity gained from it.  Hopefully there will be no offenders and therefore hopefully no prosecutions but the presence of wardens with the power to fine offenders might act as a deterrent.

9.   Persuade businesses that it is in their best interest to keep their fronts clean and tidy as well as well presented.  The co-operation of local business people will be needed and a cleaner village will be in their best interest attracting new customers from further afield.  Eco. Business should be encouraged.

10. Sheffield City Council/Environment Agency.  Where appropriate, laws at the disposal of these two agencies should be used to enforce ‘clean up’ and to maintain standards.