East Suffolk Council
East Suffolk’s Amazing: Let’s Keep It That Way!
East Suffolk Council Leader Caroline Topping is asking local people to take pride in where they live with the launch of a brand new campaign: “East Suffolk’s Amazing – Let’s Keep It That Way!”
A cross-party working group of councillors is looking at different ways that we can all work together to maintain the beauty of East Suffolk, and this includes encouraging more residents to take active pride in their local area. This includes reducing fly-tipping, recycling properly and even, where possible, looking after the spaces outside residents’ own property.
There is already an incredible network of volunteers who help keep our district beautiful, with regular litter-picks, planting, and an all-round effort to keep their local area clean. East Suffolk Council is encouraging more people to get involved and to really do their bit to keep East Suffolk Amazing.
The Council will support local communities and groups by lending out equipment for litter pick events, including hi-viz vests, litter pickers, bags and bag hoops. With this in mind, a range of information about how communities can get involved in schemes, as well as a range of tips and advice, can be now found online.
Cllr Topping said:
“We invest every single penny we can in services to help maintain the beauty and cleanliness of East Suffolk – but sometimes, we have to be honest and admit that it can never necessarily be enough. The pressure on budgets is felt in our homes as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, they are felt by businesses who are doing their very best to stay afloat, and they are also felt by councils such as ours who have seen their funding reduced considerably.
“If we could, we would employ many more people, through our operational partners East Suffolk Services, to ensure our district remains spotless at all times. But the reality is that this simply isn’t possible.
“So, what is possible? For me, and for everyone at East Suffolk, we hope and believe that the incredible local pride we all share can be put to the best possible use. If local people and organisations want to play their part, we would love them to get involved. East Suffolk’s Amazing… let’s keep it that way!”
Cllr Mark Jepson, Conservative Group Lead, said:
“East Suffolk’s Amazing has been an excellent example of cross party collaboration and continues the theme from the Conservative administration, particularly around the environment. This approach demonstrates what can be achieved when we all work together for a common aim.”
Cllr Peter Byatt, Labour Group Lead said:
“I am delighted that this project, inspired by our motion to ‘Clean-up East Suffolk’, has become something that can be supported across our communities and by all Councillors. East Suffolk Council, in taking the lead on this, has shown the potential for us all to play our appropriate part in looking after where we live, work and relax.”
Cllr David Beavan, Liberal Democrat Group Lead and Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
“It makes our day to walk out onto a clean street. Our hard working staff need everyone’s help to clean up after a selfish minority.”