Town told to clean up graffiti quicker
From the archive, first
published Thursday 16th Nov 2006.
Southend Council must clean up graffiti more quickly and
boost recycling, according to an independent watchdog.
The Audit Commission rated the town's waste and street
cleaning services as fair and gave it only one star out of
three, describing the prospect of improvement as
"uncertain".
Inspectors said Southend Council ran a low-cost, reliable
waste collection service, but its recycling service and
communication with the public could be improved.
The council has also been told it is not dealing with
graffiti quickly enough.
Audit Commission senior manager Ian Davidson said: "The
council has kept costs down and provides a sound basic
service.
"But it has let performance slip in some key areas, such
as recycling where it failed to meet its statutory target."
Anti-graffiti campaigner Glyn Evans, 55, of Kilworth
Avenue, Southend, said he believes graffiti can encourage
other crime.
"In New York when the mayor Rudy Giuliani removed the
graffiti from the subway there was a distinct drop in other
crimes.
"Also if a family comes to Southend and there is lots of
graffiti and litter then the next time they go on a day trip
it will be to Brighton or Skegness."
Lynne Rayment, who works at the Pebbles Two cafe, in
Marine Parade, Southend, said many traders feel seafront
litter needs tackling during weekends and school holidays.
She said: "They do a good job early in the morning and
the seafront looks really nice.
"The problem is there aren't enough bins and they are not
emptied often enough."
Ann Holland, Southend councillor responsible for waste,
said she was disappointed with the report, but would make an
action plan.
She said: "It does recognise that Southend has a reliable
local service and the streets are kept clean."
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