Community Clean Sweep
Sunday 4 May, became Community Clean Sweep day, following a
competition
winner’s desire to clean up an unsightly area of land close to the
Bordon Road Shopping Centre.
As part of Leigh Park Task Force Consultative Forum’s vision ‘To
improve the quality of life, image, aspirations and wellbeing of
the community of Leigh Park’,
a competition was organised for local residents to suggest ways
to make small improvements in their community.
Marion Wood, a resident in Leigh Park knew that the car park
area and behind the garages along Bordon Road had, over time become
a dumping ground for unwanted items and household goods.
Havant Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Development Officer,
Georgina Rogers, came up with the idea of a community clean sweep
event involving the National Probation Service Unpaid Workers
Scheme, the Council’s Environmental Quality Rangers and local
volunteers.
Although this area is privately owned and not the responsibility
of the council it became apparent that something had to be done
very soon. Marion said, “Many children play in this area, it’s not
safe due to the risk of fire and the rubbish draws attention to
rats. Nobody seems to take responsibility and with many different
private landowners it’s a real challenge to blame any one person
for this. I’m so pleased that Havant Borough Council and the
Probation Service have helped to improve the health and safety of
this area and clean it up.”
The council is writing to shop owners and local residents to
encourage them to keep this area clean in the future. Fly-tipping
is a crime and if anybody is caught they could be fined from £75.00
upwards. Residents are urged to support their local community by
reporting any fly-tipping to the council’s Customer Services on 023
9244 6024.
More community clean sweeps will take place in the future and if
you would like to get involved please contact Georgina Rogers,
Neighbourhood Development Officer on 023 9244 6495