‘Fly-tipping hero’ wants to see new council carry on good litter work, including public education campaigns
Community volunteer Mick Couzens has been a shining example of the difference the public can make in providing a critical extension to council services.
Since retiring to Scarborough from Bradford three years ago and starting 18 months ago on his own with one litter picker and a handful of sacks from Scarborough Borough Council, he now manages a thriving group of 60 volunteers, Keep Scarborough Tidy.
“I love Scarborough’s parks, its stunning coastal scenery and the town’s hidden gems, many of which I discovered for the first time when I collected litter during my daily exercise at the height of Covid-19,” the Osgodby parish councillor said.
Working with a series of partners, Keep Scarborough Tidy covers 12 different locations, including Scarborough Castle, Burton Riggs nature reserve, the Cinder Track, Cayton Bay beach, Peasholm Park, South Cliff, Falsgrave, Raincliffe Woods and Reasty Bank.
Mick, who also does outreach work with local schools, has spoken about his passion for volunteering and the impact littering has on the environment. He works with teachers to take children on litter picks close to their school, often telling the story of the time a child found a lost wallet and the owner gifted some of the money in it to the finder, as an added incentive.
He is determined not to lose the strong and productive connection with borough council colleagues and councillors who act in a timely manner to his reports of fly-tipping.
He wants the new North Yorkshire Council to carry on this work and is already looking ahead to the major Keep Britain Tidy national campaign next spring.
He would also like the new council to spend more money on education campaigns that raise awareness among visitors and residents of the importance of leaving no trace behind.