Volunteers that help clean up Leamington streets petitioning council to 'support their services'

A group of volunteers that help clean up the streets of Leamington have launched a petition calling for more support.

Leam Trash Friends, which has been operating since January 2019, is made up of volunteers who clear waste - including used needles - from the streets of Leamington.

This week the group launched a petition calling on Warwick District Council to support their 'services in keeping our communities safe and clean for all'.

The petition says that there has been a 'break down' in communication between the council and the group and says there is little support from the council.

It says: "Over the past 16 months Warwick District Council have changed their minds many times on various aspects of our working, the latest change being they’ve cancelled the agreement to issue us with a fresh sharps bin for everyone we fill.

"Warwick District Council are wholly negligent in their duty of care to the safety of our community evidenced by;

* our removal of 5976 used drug needles, 24 designated highly lethal to human life due to containing a high quantity of heroin

* our removal of 24 knives, a machete and 15 lethal weapons from the districts streets

* The recovery of £650 worth of Class A drugs

* The removal of some 33.25 tonnes of street litter and fly tipping.

"Indeed the councils perspective on us and our activities is well documented."

The petition then goes on to call on the council to:

~ provide the required sharps bins as and when required

~ collect all filled sharps bins from us

~ provide additional PPE for our expanding base of volunteers

~ revoke the guidelines and undertake a meaningful consultation with all stakeholders

~ provide funding for our basic over head costs

A spokesperson from Leam Trash Friends said: "This week our board of directors launched a petition and campaign to Warwick District Council (WDC) following what can only be described as a complete breakdown in relations after some rather perplexing correspondence between ourselves and WDC.

"We are disappointed that WDC have once again gone back on their word and refuse to work constructively with us.

"The refusal to provide sharps bins is of grave concern.

"For peace of mind we are also raising resources to deep clean our entire community asset scheme."

A spokesperson from Warwick District Council said: "Warwick District Council can confirm receipt of the petition from Leam Trash Friends.

"We are seeking legal advice on the points raised and will provide a public statement in due course.

"However, during the current emergency situation the council’s main focus is the provision of essential frontline services which are vital to the health and wellbeing of all residents living in our district.

"Our street cleansing, refuse and recycling services have continued throughout the lockdown period, we therefore strongly advise that this group should not be operating during this time."

To view the petition go to: https://www.change.org/p/warwick-district-council-wdc-support-our-mission