As autumn sets in and leaves begin to fall, North Tyneside Council is making sure the borough is spick and span.
This October sees the return of the local authority’s Autumn Campaign, aiming to make North Tyneside an even cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit.
Running until late November, it includes the introduction of two extra cleaning vehicles to help to reduce the amount of litter and fallen leaves on the borough’s streets.
There will be more council-organised litter picks within schools and out in the community, with residents and businesses invited to join in, too.
And the council will also continue with its enforcement work, which over the past year has seen more than 135 Fixed Penalty Notices issued to those caught littering and not picking up after their dogs, and 19 people have been prosecuted for not paying fines.
Helping to support the council’s work to promote responsible dog ownership, free micro-chipping and basic health checks for dogs will also be offered by Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter and the Dogs Trust.
Welcoming the return of the initiative, Cllr John Stirling, cabinet member for Environment, said: “Each year the Autumn Campaign achieves excellent results and makes a big difference to the appearance of the borough.
“As always, we’re appealing for help from the community – I would encourage those who can to come along and help with a litter pick.
“We’re also joining forces with the police and fire service again, in the run up to Bonfire Night. This is a really important part of the initiative and will include removing any illegal bonfire material from the streets, helping to prevent any fires and therefore any potential damage or injury.”
The work with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will also include holding school assemblies. Leading up to November 5, council wardens will visit first and primary schools with help from students from The Prince’s Trust programme at TyneMet College, while firefighters will call into middle and high schools.
To join in with a council-led clean-up, or to organise your own, call 0345 2000 103. The local authority will provide litterpickers and take away any rubbish collected from events the public organise.
The dog chipping events take place on the following dates:
- October 13 – 11am to 2pm, Mead Crescent, Forest Hall
- October 27 – 11am to 3pm, St Aidan’s Church Hall, Billy Lane, North Shields.