East Ayrshire needs help from the Scottish Government to crack down on littering – and clean up the area for good.
That is the view of Rubbish party councillor Sally Cogley who is submitting a motion to the council asking for Holyrood to tackle the huge problem.
Councillor Cogley and residents have been carrying out litter picks in the Galston area which sees a skip load of rubbish lifted weekly.
“It is embarrassing,” said Councillor Cogley. “We live in the most beautiful country in Europe and we are trashing it. The problem is too big and too out of hand.”
The Irvine Valley politician wants the government to come up with a strategy backed by cash to educate people and to help councils roll out additional enforcement and measures.
She fears thousands of visitors coming to the Glasgow global climate change conference, COP26, in November will be greeted with verges full of rubbish on motorways.
Keep Scotland Beautiful says environmental quality, including dog fouling and fly-tipping, is at the lowest-ever recorded standards.
Councillor Cogley said East Ayrshire is more “pro-active than most other councils” at dealing with litter and fly tipping.
She said: “I have been told some local authorities have stopped doing enforcement.”
She intends to lodge a motion at full council next month asking the Scottish Government to produce a litter strategy.
The motion said: “This should include a sustained national campaign, with an educational programme that will change behaviour; this must be supported with an effective enforcement programme.
“This litter strategy must be consistent throughout Scotland and properly funded.”
Councillor Cogley added: “When I first started commenting on this ‘litter’ issue, annual government spend was circa £76 million. Through budget cuts, this has now been reduced to circa £53m.
“If we carry on and do nothing, what will our communities look like in five years’ time?”
Councillors will decide whether or not to back the motion at the full council meeting.
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