Andrezj Kluczynski and Cllr Martin Bates from DDC receive the Great British Spring Clean Award from Stacey Lovering of sponsors, Helping Hand Environmental
Dover District Council (DDC) has won the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean Award.
Announced at Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Network Conference and Awards in Liverpool on 9 February, DDC won the award for its wide-reaching campaign to tackle litter. Out of around one hundred entries that the environmental charity receives each year, just three local authorities are shortlisted in each category, so the competition is tough.
During the two-week Great British Spring Clean campaign in 2022, the Council organised a tour across the district with opportunities for the local community to get involved with litter picks, learn about the impact of litter on the environment, and collected over 350 bags of litter.
Dover District Council also launched its own environmental awards recognising the work of residents and businesses, and a children’s poster competition to design a poster for the Council’s refuse lorries.
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “Our Network Awards celebrate the most innovative campaigns and solutions developed by local authorities to tackle issues like litter, fly-tipping, and dog fouling, often with the communities they serve. Our hope is that these fantastic initiatives will inspire others across the country to do the same.”
Cllr Martin Bates, Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, said: “We’re delighted to win the Great British Spring Clean Award which recognises the strong level of support we’ve built up with residents and businesses over three years of participation with the annual campaign. Taking pride in our district, and encouraging everyone to do their bit, means that we create a cleaner and greener place for all to enjoy.
“Of course, there is more to be done and in an ideal world, no one would drop litter in the first place! We continue to target areas blighted by litter, including working with partners to clear the strategic road network again this spring.”
This year’s Great British Spring Campaign runs from 17 March to 2 April 2023. DDC will be supporting the campaign and encouraging local communities to get involved with litter picks, competitions, and awards. The Council’s Community Roots van will also be visiting towns and villages across the district as part of this year’s campaign.
