Sheffield Council’s Waste and Street Scene Committee has agreed a £500k one-off investment for street clean environmental enforcement – directed specifically to the areas of most need, to deal with issues around litter, vermin and street cleaning.

This will fund clean ups and enforcement to reset street scene standards where these have deteriorated during covid, together with some key project work that will deliver changes and new approaches that all communities and services will benefit from for years to come.

Labour Councillor Mike Chaplin, Deputy Chair of Waste and Street Scene said ‘I’m delighted to announce this package of measures which delivers on our commitment for extra resources to tackle local issues and greater investment in street cleaning and green spaces.

‘This substantial £500k investment was secured through Labour councillors’ budget amendment in March. This will deliver a street scene ‘reset’ with graffiti and litter clean ups in problem areas and action on the rodent and pest problems in the places worst affected.

“But this isn’t just for the short term, it will cement improvements into the long-term with increased enforcement, extensive education all supported by improved systems to deliver for the people of Sheffield’

“Despite the huge financial strain the council is under, we will always prioritise our neighbourhoods”.

“Labour are committed to keeping our great city clean so we can all take pride in our Sheffield”

What is this new funding paying for?

• £140k for graffiti clean ups, securing this reset with focused enforcement and measures to prevent reoccurrence.
• £28K to harness the interest in volunteering on local environmental and social causes with a temporary project post to engage with volunteers and establish new systems for years to come.
• £78k for increased enforcement across the city against littering and graffiti with temporary officers to bridge the gap while long term measures including cameras are delivered.
• £30k for a strong education campaign and materials alongside the increased clean up, enforcement and project work.
• £138k on extra pest control and pest enforcement as a one-off investment to get on top of the current rodent pest problems by treating more street scene settings and serve notices on landowners and landlords where rubbish and disrepair is allowing rats to proliferate.
• £15k on IT improvements to ensure more joined up working across street scene services to benefit Sheffield residents.