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Keeping Scotland beautiful
25/02/2010
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead today spoke at a conference focusing on local environmental quality in Scotland.
The fifth annual People and Places Conference, organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, was attended by local authorities and land managers.
Mr Lochhead said:
"Action must be taken now against Scotland's litter problem. It is a poor advertisement for our country, which should instead be recognised for its clean air and unspoilt landscapes. Scotland has some of the toughest anti-litter legislation in Europe, and I appeal to all local authorities to use the power they have to take a firm stance on litter.
"Of the 32 Scottish local authorities 12 did not issue any fixed penalty notices; yet some are using everything in their tool box to cut litter. Glasgow City Council has made real use of fixed penalty powers, handing out 5,849 fines in 2008/09.
"Litter is estimated to cost Scotland's local authorities £100m a year in street cleaning alone and research shows that litter is of even greater public concern than noisy neighbours or vandalism. Scotland is making good progress towards becoming a zero waste society and the Scottish Government will shortly be publishing Scotland's first Zero Waste plan. We must try harder and go further in reducing waste to landfill and our impact on climate change.
"The Scottish Government has provided further funding to the National Spring Clean 2010 which has already attracted 24,000 volunteers this year. I'd urge everyone to embrace their community spirit and help clean up their area."
John Summers OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful said:
"All across Scotland people are striving to create better communities and this conference allows us to pool knowledge and expertise from all over the UK to help us achieve our goal."
The conference also saw the fifth annual Scottish People and Places awards ceremony take place, recognising the contribution that partners have made in the past year. The four categories are designed to reflect the challenges faced by local authorities and major landowners. Winners were:
Programme of the Year Award
Winner - Renfrewshire Council
Finalists - Amey, East Dunbartonshire Council
Programme Manager of the Year Award
Winner - Brendan Corish, Amey
Award for Support of Communities
Winner - Falkirk Council
Finalist - Perth & Kinross Council
Best Local Environmental Quality Innovation Award
Winner - Stirling Council
Finalist - Falkirk Council