Deep Clean Initiative – Welcome Progress and Opportunities for Wider Partnership Working

 

Subject: Deep Clean Initiative – Welcome Progress and Opportunities for Wider Partnership Working

Dear Chief Executive and Council Leader,

I wanted to express my thanks and support regarding the recently announced Deep Clean / Green Hit Squad initiative. It is encouraging to see this level of focused activity taking place across the borough, and I particularly welcome it as it partly addresses concerns previously raised in my complaint about declining environmental standards and the need for more visible cleansing and maintenance across our neighbourhoods.

The use of seasonal workers to bolster capacity is a sensible and proactive step, and I hope this creates a model that can be sustained each year. If aligned carefully, the Deep Clean programme could sit very well alongside the Big Spring Clean, the Hot Spot works and the regular cleansing cycles — forming a more consistent, year-round approach to improving our streets, parks and public spaces.

I would also encourage the management team overseeing this work to reach out directly to Friends Groups across Sandwell. These volunteers have a detailed understanding of the issues in their local areas and can offer valuable insight into where targeted activity would have the greatest impact. Collaborative working here would strengthen the programme, ensure local priorities are heard, and reinforce the boroughwide commitment to working with communities.

In the same spirit, I hope the initiative is being coordinated so that Serco’s contractual responsibilities continue to be fully met, and that this additional activity complements — rather than replaces — the cleansing duties already being paid for. I also hope that Litter Watch, who play a long-standing and important role in volunteer-led litter picking, are involved or kept informed so that their efforts are aligned and supported.

This is a positive step, and I appreciate the work being done to improve our environment. I hope the Deep Clean programme becomes an annual fixture and that it evolves into a more integrated, long-term approach to maintaining the quality of Sandwell’s neighbourhoods.

Thank you for your continued efforts.

#Sandwell #DeepClean #GreenHitSquads #CommunityEngagement #FriendsGroups #LitterWatch #Serco #PublicSpaces #CivicPride #SandwellCouncil #EnvironmentalImprovement #BigSpringClean #HotSpotProgramme #Volunteering #LocalGovernment