For more information call (01325) 388777 or e-mail streetscene@darlington.gov.uk
What is Street Scene?
Street Scene is about improving the way environmental services are delivered by the Council. It is hoped this new way of working for staff, such as refuse collectors and street cleaners, will encourage more people to care about their local environment.
Under the scheme, the Borough has been split into five areas, each with their own team of workers. Each team’s leader will liaise with the public, reacting to queries and concerns as they arise and working closely with local councillors and community groups who are already striving to improve their neighbourhoods.The teams will be multi-skilled, so they can do more than one job in their specific area. This will make them more efficient as the same people can deal with different issues.
The services that the Street Scene teams will cover include:
• Refuse/recycling collection
• Looking after parks, verges and open spaces
• Litter bins
• Dog bins
• Street cleaning
• Bulky household rubbish collections
The public were asked for their views on Street Scene when it was being devised and we hope you continue to tell us what you think as the new system gets underway.
Will my bins be emptied as regularly as they are now?
Yes. Street Scene aims to improve the level of services but you will not notice a change in the days or regularity of your bin collections.
Will the changes cost me any more in Council Tax?
The changes to Street Scene will not increase your Council Tax. In fact it is predicted, the initiative will save money by making theservices more efficient.
If the same people are doing different jobs, will standards suffer?
Staff have been trained to do a range of jobs and this training will continue. Staff will only be allowed to carry out tasks that they are fully trained to do. Street Scene provides varied opportunities for staff, which in turn will attract the best possible workers.
What was wrong with the way things were?
As with most things, time moves on and there is a need to update and change the way we work. We are all more aware than ever of our environment and the importance of keeping it clean and attractive. Our services were working well but because teams were not working together, opportunities to tackle all the needs of an area at the same time were missed.
Can I talk to the team in my area about specific problems?
Yes, you can talk to your team by speaking to staff on the ground or contacting your team leader on (01325) 388777. They will work with you to find lasting solutions to ongoing problems – it’s not just about the
quick fixes, we want to improve our town for the long-term by working with you.
How will the change affect me?
The level of service you will receive will improve as the teams get to know their areas and work to tackle issues of concern to specific communities.We want to hear your views and you can speak to your team leader on the street or contact him or her on the number below.
We also want some residents to become Street Champions, who will be the ‘eyes and ears’ for a street or a number of streets and report any problems to the relevant teams. This will ensure we can deal with issues before they become big problems and can also tailor our services to meet the needs of the community. The Street Scene teams will work with existing community groups and ward councillors to make sure people’s suggestions and ideas are acted upon.