Lib Dems want litter patrols to go further

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS in Hull are demanding that new litter wardens spend more time patrolling areas outside Hull city centre that they say are blighted with rubbish.

The wardens, employed by a private firm, are currently contracted to spend between 75 per cent to 85 per cent of their time in the city centre.

But Lib Dem councillor Julie Greenhill, who is putting forward a motion to this week’s full council meeting, says more resources are needed “in communities other than the city centre”.

She suggests that at least 50 per cent of litter wardens’ time should be spent outside the city centre in the areas where litter is most prevalent.

According to figures released last month, the first six weeks of the initiative saw 478 fines handed out, making just over £17,000 for the council, with £34,000 still outstanding.

Of the 478 fines, 448 had been handed out in the city centre.

However, Hull Council leader Steve Brady accused the Lib Dems of “jumping on the bandwagon” after realising that the scheme had gone down well with the public.

Coun Brady said the council was looking to extend the scheme later this year, but had first wanted to gauge public reaction.

He said: “Yes, we will be extending it, it seems to have gone down well. This is electioneering.

“Now the Lib Dems know it is popular they want to be jumping on the bandwagon.”

Council forecasts given at the launch of the scheme predicted between 5,000 and 7,000 fines could be handed out this year.

Wardens gave out just 200 fines for littering in 2018.

The council commissioned the new wardens, working for a company, LA Support, to double the council’s manpower.

“The visible patrols act as a deterrent, resulting in reduced littering and dog fouling,” a council spokesman said previously.