Environment

March – April 2006

In the years leading up to 2006 various surveys showed residents’ satisfaction with the cleanliness of the district and the Council’s environmental services was lower in Bradford than other comparable local authorities.

The ‘Big Sweep’ aimed to promote a coordinated effort by different Council services to clean up the district and make the Bradford district a nicer place to live.

Research was carried out to assess the needs of each community, the take-up of services and residents’ expectations of the Council. It was concluded that the level and type of clean-up activity should be highly targeted and customised, according to the nature of each area.

Forty-five clean ups were carried out over five weeks, which were publicised in the local press and neighbourhood forums. The Council worked alongside residents, the local housing trust, parish/town councils, voluntary, faith and youth groups to plan and carry out environmental activities.

• 76,000 households received customised information and doorstep researchers spoke to 12,990 householders during the campaign
• A massive 400 tonnes of additional rubbish was cleared from the streets
• 5,000 free portable ashtrays and 4,500 chewing gum pouches were distributed to the public
• 338 households requested a paper recycling bin through the doorstep researchers (double our expectations)
• 3027 gullies were emptied
• A number of community groups pledged to continue the work of the Big Sweep, including Horton Grange Residents, Heaton Township and Ripple-ED
• High levels of awareness of the campaign were reported through neighbourhood forums, hits on the Council’s website, calls to the Council’s contact centre and staff feedback

Following the campaign, a residents survey was carried out by MORI. It revealed:

• 62% of respondents were satisfied or highly satisfied with how we dealt with litter (up 17% from 2003 when the survey was last carried out)
• 86% satisfied or highly satisfied with household waste collection (up 8%)
• 66% satisfied or highly satisfied with local recycling facilities (up 10%)
• 79% satisfied or highly satisfied with household waste centre (up 12%)
• Overall satisfaction with the Council up 10% to 52%.