Government praise for Rother clean-up scheme

Rother District Council's Sense of Place project, which began in 2009, is designed to reduce fly-tipping, fly-posting, graffiti, litter and dog-fouling in the district.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has calculated Rother's grading for taking action against fly-tipping over the last year as 'very effective'.

This compares to a 'not very effective' rating in previous years, before the project was put in place.

Although statistically one of the cleanest districts in the country, the council recognised more could be done to clean up isolated pockets of untidiness, so set up Sense of Place.

The team often rely on tip-offs from members of the public before investigating incidents and taking action to improve a shabby street-scene.

Cllr Tony Ganly, Rother District Council member for the environment, said: "This is a superb result and reflects the efforts and success of the Sense of Place team in pursuing actions and containing fly-tipping.

"Through their hard work and the involvement of the public, we are helping to make Rother an even better place to live, work in and visit."

Fly-tipping can be reported to the council on 01424 787000 or through the report a fault facility at www.rother.gov.uk