Councillors clean-up Oakley Green in Leighton Buzzard

Councillors, officers and contractors from Central Bedfordshire Council rolled up their sleeves to clear litter, remove unwanted bulky items and improve the environment in Oakley Green.

Several housing tenants had signed up in advance for support with bulky waste collections and shed clearances, helping remove items that may otherwise have been difficult to dispose of.

The day, organised by the council’s Neighbourhood Operations Team, formed part of an ongoing programme of work, which focuses on improving areas around council homes and supporting housing tenants to manage their waste responsibly and reduce issues such as fly-tipping, dog fouling and bin contamination.

Cllr Steven Watkins, Executive Member for Assets, Business and Housing, said: "It’s important that we continue to invest in maintaining and improving the environment around our council housing. Fly-tipping and waste issues can have a significant impact on neighbourhoods, and initiatives like this help ensure housing tenants have the support they need to dispose of waste properly.

"In Oakley Green, we have installed new bin stores with clear labelling to show how different types of waste should be disposed of, and to provide information on bulky waste collection services, which will prevent items from being left in communal areas. By providing practical help and advice, we’re helping to keep these areas clean and safe for everyone.”

Throughout the day, council staff also spoke with housing tenants about how to get more involved with the housing service, provided educational materials and shared information on available services to help them manage their waste responsibly.