General news about what is being done, where, why and by whom.

Not a lot of this gets reported and there are people doing lots of paid and unpaid work for the St Leonards community:
July 2010

Street Cleansing & Collections Operations Manager, Emmett Dunford,  brought us up to date with new initiatives regarding cleaning and refuse collection.  There is to be a crackdown on people putting bags out early for collection, and dog fouling, this will include fines and education.  He urged anyone who has a regular problem with litter or rubbish/flytipping/graffiti to contact the council. (SBA will have a list of numbers soon which will go in the sidebar.)

• A new booklet it to be distributed to each household in the area outlining collection times etc.
• They are reviewing the way rubbish is collected and trialling new types of bins and collection methods.

Street Cleansing: We asked about the regularity of pavement cleaning for staining.  The contractors have a set standard and criteria to meet with regard to all rubbish and cleaning, this is mostly self regulated, but is regularly inspected by the council.
We pointed out that it has been years in some areas since a deep clean has happened.  He said he would look into this.  (note: contractors were cleaning the pavements with water and brushes this week)

Refuse Collection: It was proposed that the council could consider refuse collection in the early evening say 6pm or 7pm, when the roads are quieter and most people would be home to put out their rubbish without having to put it out early in the mornings before they leave for work when the seagulls are searching for food.

We asked about the possibility of recycling food waste (this could reduce the amount of mess caused by seagulls ripping open bags to search for food).  This is currently being looked into by County.

Other Matters:

Fingers signs/signage should be in place by September 2010, as will the trees that are to be planted in Kings Road to prevent people parking on the pavement.

The illustrated map of St Leonards is nearly ready to go to print.  Overlays for the map will be available to purchase by businesses etc.  e.g. holiday lets or a particular business can have their details printed on the map, and could be used for advertising, websites etc.

Terry Drinkwater has met with the council  to look at the possibilities for planting up the 2 hexagonal planters on the steps leading down to the promenade by Warrior Square.  We also raised the question on how much the ugly modern phone box that is sited next to these plants is used.

Terry Drinkwater is now looking at ways to improve the look of shops, entrance to the lower end of London Road near the sea front.

We asked if it would be possible for SBA business members to advertise (for a small annual fee) their business on the site with a photo and details.  Bill Orton was happy in principal for this to happen and said he would speak with Matthew the website co-ordinator.

Anti-social behaviour new initiatives to deal with anti social behaviour and street drinking are under review.