Shropshire Council awarded £55,000 to help with high street clean-ups

A litter-pick at Birchmeadow Park, Broseley in November 2018

Shropshire Council has been awarded £55,000 by the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government (MCHLG) to support local community groups in their efforts to clean and improve their town centres and high streets.

Using the grant money, Shropshire Council is to purchase and make available – free of charge – equipment that can be borrowed or retained by groups such as litter-pickers or In Bloom committees. This will include bin bags, high-visibility vests, safety glasses, hand shovels, brushes, and warning signs.

The council will also be able to – if required – collect and dispose of the litter and waste collected, and provide advice, guidance and other support, support the community groups’ expenses, and supply promotional material to promote the clean ups.

Community groups will also be supported with grants from £200 to £1,000, to pay for equipment or publicity to support the cleaning of their town centre or high street.

Groups are now being asked to contact the council so that arrangements can be made to provide them with the money, equipment and resources needed to support their activities.

Under the terms of the funding, activity must be carried out by the end of May 2019.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and parking, said:

“There’s a long-established history of Shropshire Council supporting local groups on joint litter-picks, through supplying equipment, and removing the collected waste. This grant will increase the scale and volume of that activity and we encourage local community groups to contact us so that we can help them.

Gwilym Butler, Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, said:

“High streets are a crucial part of our Shropshire economy. With the support of residents and community groups, we can enhance and benefit our key areas, helping to make them attractive places to live, work and visit and increasing pride in our towns and villages.”

Groups wanting assistance or further details should email highstreetcommunitycleanup@shropshire.gov.uk.

Further information

The funding is available to assist or support community or resident groups in high street or town centre cleans, for example:

• Expanding existing planned clean ups, linking to recent campaigns in the national media.
• Providing seed funding to resident groups to undertake clean-up activities in high streets and town centres.

In summary, the intent of the programme, is to:

• Increase pride in local high streets and town centres.
• Enhance community cohesion.
• Support increased volunteering.
• Enhance partnerships between community and resident groups and Shropshire Council’s street scene service.