East Hampshire District Council’s Spring Clean Campaign has launched with council leader Richard Millard promising “more crews and more vehicles right across the district, all working to ensure East Hampshire is looking its best”.

Cllr Millard (Conservative, Headley) says activity will increase over the coming weeks as the council invests more resources into the operation. 

Later in the month the council campaign will dove-tail with the annual Keep Britain Tidy event, focusing on community litter picks. 

Cllr Millard said: “If you, or your community, is planning a community litter pick we can offer support in the form of litter-picking tools, bags, hi-vis clothing and the collection of black bags at the end of the event.”

This support for community litter picks is available from March 17 to April 2, to coincide with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.  

Any potential litter-pickers can register their interest online at https://www.easthants.gov.uk/spring-clean-campaign 

Cllr Millard continued: “All across East Hampshire we are ramping up litter-picking, grounds maintenance, road sweeping and more. We’re also calling on Hampshire Highways to collect their redundant roadside signs, that have been left behind long after they are needed. 

“And, to make sure the hard work is not undone, we are increasing litter enforcement patrols at littering hot-spots from town centres to laybys. 

“Littering is a criminal offence and offenders can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80 or a fine of up to £2,500 together with a criminal record.”

The council leader added the Spring Clean “has all been made possible through our transition to a new service arrangement which brings control back to East Hampshire District Council”.