Cleaner greener councillors inspect borough

29 October 2003

A posse of Councillors from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea took to the streets of North Kensington last week (24 October), as part of the Council’s trailblazing ‘Cleaner Greener’ initiative.

With Council officers in support, Councillor Paget-Brown and other Councillors toured Ladbroke Grove and Golborne Road to see first-hand the effectiveness of the Council’s strategy to clean up the streets and reduce anti-social behaviour. As the walkabout wound up at the Westway, Councillor Paget-Brown declared: "The work we are doing in partnership with local landholders is beginning to transform the landscape right here in North Kensington. As we remove the graffiti and tackle the fly-tippers and deal with other anti-social behaviour head-on, it makes a significant improvement in the appearance of the Borough. That in turn can only contribute towards a better quality of life for us all."

By hitting the streets, Councillors aim to cut through any red tape that could slow down the Cleaner Greener initiative. Grafitti, the state of the streets, fly posting and litter-strewn land were noted by Councillors for action by Council staff.

The aims of the Cleaner Greener initiative are to build closer partnerships with local landholders, to encourage the clean-up efforts and to think imaginatively about what can be done to enhance and maintain the area to a higher standard. Already the efforts of the policy are bearing fruit with seven partners supporting the Council’s lead - including Notting Hill Housing Group, JC Decaux, Interphone Public Networks, The Tenants Management Organisation, Grand Union Canal, Kensington and Chelsea Community Transport and Workspace Group.

More pressure on less cooperative landholders may also not be far behind as a new raft of powers are shortly to be enshrined in law under the Anti Social Behaviour Bill. Under this bill, local authorities will be empowered to enter private land, clean it up and charge the landowner!

Notes for Editors

Photographs available - please call 020 7361 2115.

Councillors who attended the event were Nick Paget-Brown; Mrs Frances Taylor; Tim Ahern, Pat Mason; Dez O'Neill; Miss Weatherhead and Terence Buxton.

For more information contact Media and Communications.