The Council is responsible for cleaning streets, litter bins, car parks, public conveniences and street furniture.  In addition they have a dedicated team to ensure enforcement of the law regarding litter offences, fly tipping and abandoned vehicles.

The Council's cleansing specification is based upon the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Litter Code (EPA COPLAR).

This Code requires that all areas are allocated a 'Zone' according to the characteristics of the area (e.g. high density housing =Zone 2, residential areas =Zone 3).  This also stipulates how the cleanliness of streets is to be measured.

Four grades are used to rate each zone, these are:

1. GRADE A: no litter or refuse;
2. GRADE B: predominantly free of litter & refuse apart from some small items;
3. GRADE C: widespread distribution of litter & refuse with minor accumulations;
4. GRADE D: heavily littered with significant accumulations.

The Code sets out response times for returning areas to Grade A.  This varies according to the Zone of the area.

For example,

• Zone 1 - from grade D (lowest) 1hour; from grade C 3 hours
• Zone 2 - from grade D 3 hours; from grade C 6 hours
• Zone 3 - from grade D 6 hours; from grade C 12 hours

Council staff  measure compliance with the above standards by grading areas with one of the above 4 grades.  Where areas are found to be at Grade A or B, the no further action is required.  Where the areas are at Grade C or D, they are classed as 'below standard' and action should be taken to bring them back to Grade A within the necessary timescale.