News & Events
£1.25 Million Spent on Cleaning Lisburn's Streets31 March 2010
Lisburn City Council announced this week that £1.25m was spent on cleaning litter from streets during the past year. This cost covers all street cleaning activities including the emptying of litter bins, the operation of street cleansing machines and litter-picking, and represents one of the largest single areas of Council expenditure.
With annual rates bills due to arrive with householders shortly, Lisburn City Council is reinforcing the message that it is within everyone’s power to contribute to driving down an element of this cost which is associated with the thoughtless actions of some members of the public.
Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Paul Givan explains: “This year we were able to set a district rate that was the second lowest across the twenty-six Council areas, however, with such a high spend on cleaning our streets some of 
this money could be used more effectively to develop or improve Council services or facilities. We need to start taking responsibility for cutting this cost and making sure the Council’s share of the rates is used in the most effective manner possible.”
Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee, Councillor Betty Campbell said: “If you think about the amount of money that is spent on cleaning up our streets every year it is very disappointing indeed as some of this cost could be avoided. The litter on our streets is essentially a problem created by people and every person needs to take ownership and responsibility for making our rural roads and city streets cleaner and tidier. I am asking everyone to stop and think about the wider picture before you throw your litter down irresponsibly.”
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots, announced this week that Northern Ireland’s Councils spent a combined £34million – an average of £93,150 a day – on street cleaning last year.
The Minister said: "We all share responsibility for tackling the blight of street litter. By changing our attitudes and behaviour, not only could we benefit financially, we can also improve the quality of our environment.”
Lisburn City Council continues to take a pro-active role with regard to littering in the City working with local communities, organising community clean-ups and litter awareness events. For those people who refuse to act responsibly the Council issues £50 fixed penalties.
In This Section...
- Press Releases
- What's On