Bolsover District Council has been recognised by the Government for its efforts in keeping the area a clean, safe and green place to live.

The Council was highlighted as a good example for its increased enforcement activities and the way it has engaged with the local community to raise awareness of the problems associated with environmental crime such as dog fouling, fly-tipping and littering.

Over the past year, the Council increased the number of  Fixed Penalty Notices issued by fourfold to 100 - 7 for dog fouling, 4 for duty of care in relation to fly tipping, and 89 for litter – as part of its crackdown on those who ignore the law.

The Council has also seen a reduction in the number of fly-tipping incidents from 1156 (2006/07) to 905 (2007/08) as its enforcement actions went up by 7% to 723 in 2007/08 to combat this problem.

Over the past year, the Council has undertaken numerous campaigns to help raise awareness of the dangers of litter and dog fouling including:

• Bio-degradable pavement signs

• Distributing poop scoop bags

• Distributing portable ash trays

• Clean up days in Bolsover, Shirebrook, Creswell and Clowne

• Visits to secondary schools in the district and giving talks on the problems associated with litter and dog fouling

• Holding stalls on market days promoting clean environments

Bolsover District Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dennis Kelly said, “We are delighted with the work we have undertaken in the past year and will not put up with anyone who makes our communities and countryside look untidy. We have done numerous campaigns to promote a healthy environment so there is no excuse for dropping litter or not picking up after your dog and we will continue our zero tolerance stance against anyone who flouts the law.

“We have also been working with the Parish Councils to raise awareness and in particular Shirebrook, Tibshelf, Pleasley, Elmton with Creswell, Clowne, Pinxton, South Normanton and Blackwell Parishes who have all made a contribution to the purchase of poop scoop bags for their communities”

 For further information, help and advice or to report any litter/dog fouling issues please telephone Bolsover District Council on 01246 242424 or email enquiries@bolsover.gov.uk