Press Release 2 March 2011

Councils recognised for creating the cleanest communities

Broadland District Council has won the much coveted National Award in the 2010/11 Clean Britain Awards, presented today at the NEC Cleaning Show in Birmingham.

A total of nine local authorities stepped up to the podium to receive awards at the presentation ceremony, which was hosted by TV presenter Dick Strawbridge and sponsored by Kier Street Services.

This year's awards featured three categories - town, cities, and districts - and each of the entrants faced a tough judging process, with anonymous inspection visits and 13 key criteria, including general litter, chewing gum and smoking-related litter, fly-tipping, graffiti and the provision and condition of litter bins.

The 2010/11 winners are:

Towns category:

Gold - Cleobury Mortimer (Shropshire Council)

Silver - Maidenhead (Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead)

Bronze - Southend (Southend Borough Council)

Cities Category:

Gold - Truro (Truro City Council)

Silver - Nottingham (Nottingham City Council)

Bronze - Lincoln (City of Lincoln Council)

Districts Category:

Gold - Broadland District Council

Silver - Babergh District Council

Bronze - North Norfolk District Council

Overall National Award Winner:

Broadland District Council

The biennial awards are run jointly by the British Cleaning Council and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and are open to all local authorities and other organisations involved in managing public spaces.

"Our communities deserve well maintained and attractive public places and the Clean Britain Awards recognise and reward the efforts made by councils and other organisations to keep our local areas clean and welcoming," says Steve Lee, Chief Executive of CIWM. "The quality of our local environment contributes directly to our sense of wellbeing and civic pride and plays an important role in improving the economic prosperity of our towns, cities and rural districts."

Kier Street Services is the principal sponsor for the 2010/11 awards, and the associate sponsors are Gum Clear, Spider UK Ltd, Green Machines, and BigBelly Solar. More information on the awards can be found at www.cleanbritainawards.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

2. The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is the voice of the UK cleaning industry. It was established in 1982 to coordinate the affairs of the industry and to be responsible at home and abroad on industry matters. BCC provides a forum for members to meet and work together to raise the profile of the industry and help it gain the credibility it deserves. It also promotes and encourages improvements in health, hygiene and general cleanliness standards. More information can be found at www.britishcleaningcouncil.org

Press contact:
Harvey Sugden
Tel: 01604 620426
E-mail: harvey.sugden@ciwm.co.uk