Investment of £500,000 will be used to carry out community led clean-ups, address issues of fly tipping and make hard landscaping improvements. Approximately £400,000 of the funding will be allocated to Community Boards to decide on local priorities, while the remaining money will be used to support communities across North Lanarkshire in areas such as Keep Scotland Beautiful’s National Summer Clean campaign and a public engagement and education campaign.

In addition, £280,000 will be invested in each of the next two years to increase enforcement action against those responsible for littering, dog fouling and fly tipping with the employment of three Environmental Protection Officers.

This work is part of the RecoverNL programme, which aims to deliver activity that supports the recovery, re-opening and redesign of services while protecting the public and staff.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have very much welcomed the increased use of local parks and green spaces for exercise and leisure but unfortunately this has also seen a rise in littering, dog fouling, vandalism and fly tipping across our communities,” said Nicole Paterson, Head of Environmental Assets.

“While our cleansing and waste services have continued, we have seen a decline in the quality of our local environment. As part of our recovery plans, the council will be investing in our parks, streets and open spaces for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.

“To do this effectively and sustainably, we need the help of local people.

“We will be encouraging community groups to carry out litter picks, engage with school pupils about the benefits of looking after our local environment and asking the public to report incidents of anti-social behaviour to help us identify those responsible.”

To promote the benefits of our environment on health and well-being and the importance of looking after our green spaces, the council is also supporting a range of education and leisure projects.

During the summer, there will be opportunities for adults, families and young adults to take part in activities including a forest school, the John Muir Award, Duke of Edinburgh scheme, the North Lanarkshire Climate Change Ambassador Project, and Outdoor Discovery award.

We have also secured funding to employ Detached Youth Workers for the next six months to engage with young people, provide information, education and awareness on safety, health being and diversionary activities to reduce anti-social behaviour and risk-taking behaviour.