Lib Dems Clean Up MK

7.43.32pm GMT Tue 20th Feb 2007

Recent survey results published by the Audit Commission show that the Liberal Democrat run Council has lifted Milton Keynes from being perceived as one of the dirtiest areas in 2003 to one of the cleanest areas in 2006.

In 2003 only 54% of MK residents were satisfied with the cleanliness of the borough. Now, three years later, that has jumped up to a whopping 74% in the 2006 survey - moving MK from one of the worst performing Councils to one of the best.

Speaking on the survey results, Councillor Douglas McCall, cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are really pleased that our investment has paid off and that residents have noticed the difference on the streets. Since taking control of the Council we have introduced many initiatives to improve the cleanliness of the Borough, but we are not resting on our laurels. We have put an extra £200,000 into the street cleaning budget for next year to tackle 'grot spots'."

The initiatives introduced by the Liberal Democrats include:

• changed street cleaning schedules to ensure dirtier areas (for example around shops and on routes to school) are cleaned more often

• introduced 'deep cleans' to carry out an all-year-round 'spring clean' of estates

• increased the number of enforcement officers tackling fly tipping

• provided additional new style litter/recycling bins in busy locations

• introduced the very popular 'graffiti busters', resulting in much less graffiti across Milton Keynes.