Portishead town orderly needed to clean up rubbish

Environmental groups in Portishead are calling for a town orderly to be employed to help keep the area's streets and parks free from rubbish.

Members of the Portishead in Bloom group have asked the town council to considering funding a full-time orderly to make sure the area looks its best.

Currently North Somerset Council is responsible for making sure the town's streets are clear of rubbish and litter.

The authority carries out regular rubbish patrols around the town and collects litter from the Lake Grounds every day.

Volunteers from the Pride in Portishead group also carry out regular clean-ups. Over the past few months members have collected sack loads of rubbish from litter hotspots including The Esplanade, the High Street and Wyndham Way. Other dumping grounds include the Rodmoor Rose gardens and the Royal Beach.

Calls for the town to have its own orderly were backed by residents who raised litter as an issue in Portishead at a special council open day this month.

Other towns and villages, such as Nailsea, already employ a town orderly.

Nailsea Town Council contracts out the service at a cost of around £20,000 a year.

Portishead in Bloom chairman Sandy Tebbutt, said: "It would mean there would be someone we could call on to deal with problems as they occur.

"They could pick up rubbish, do small maintenance jobs and clean off unsightly graffiti."

This year Portishead got a gold medal in the South West in Bloom and Britain in Bloom awards.

Litter is one of the criteria included on the judges' list.

Portishead Town Council clerk, Martin Dolton, said: "I have invited the chairman of Portishead in Bloom to a meeting so we can discuss the matter further so a detailed report can be put to the town council."