Barnet’s Labour councillors have launched a petition calling on Conservative-run Barnet Council to “Clean Up Barnet”.

The petition follows Council cuts to street cleaning and the street scene budget which has led to an increasing epidemic of fly-tipping, littered streets, parks and public spaces and overflowing street litter bins.

Labour councillors raised the issue in a motion to the January Full Council meeting. The motion called for a review of all street cleaning and environmental enforcement action in the borough, and for the Council to look at best practice in other boroughs including regular monitored skips for bulky waste and closer working with private landlords and tenants on disposal of bulky waste.

The motion also called for improved engagement with the community and local businesses on environmental issues, including more support for litter-picking groups and other community groups concerned about the state of Barnet’s streets.

Finally, the motion called for action to improve the cleanliness of Barnet’s streets following this review.

The motion was passed with unanimous cross-party support, but so far no action has been forthcoming.

Labour spokesperson for Environment, Cllr Alan Schneiderman said: “Residents are fed up with Barnet’s dirty streets. Many have never seen a street cleaner in their road since the Tories abandoned the regular sweeping of residential roads. The effect of cutting street cleaners and the street cleaning budget have led to streets full of litter, overflowing bins and a fly tipping epidemic. Please sign the petition to say it’s time for action, it’s time to clean up Barnet.”

Notes:

1. To sign Labour’s petition: https://www.change.org/p/barnet-council-clean-up-barnet
2. To see a copy of Labour’s motion on street cleaning: http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s50798/14.1%20-%20Opposition%20Motion%20from%20Cllr%20Alan%20Schneiderman%20-%20The%20State%20of%20Barnets%20Streets.pdf