The Council’s cleansing partners Suffolk Coastal Services Ltd (SCS) are taking the lead on the campaign and have also linked up with the Port of Felixstowe to help get the message across.

“Radio Suffolk’s excellent Don’t Be A Tosser campaign has regularly highlighted one of the big problems facing us which is the amount of rubbish that is being thrown or dumped by motorists, particularly on the A12 and A14,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“We have been getting tough in the last few months, with over 80 motorists issued with fixed penalty notices since April, but we also want to get the simple message across to people that they should hold onto their litter and not just throw it out on our roadsides.

“These two variable message signs (VMS) will help us target our message at motorists, and particularly truckers using the busy port at Felixstowe, and hopefully stop some of the quite disgusting littering that our SCS teams have to clear up,” added Cllr Nunn.

It is currently costing Suffolk Coastal around £600,000 a year to clear up rubbish left around the district, with one team of workers dedicated to just keeping the A12 and A14 clean and tidy.

The two VMSs will be at Trinity Avenue, Felixstowe near the port, and at the Orwell Crossing, Nacton on the A14 from yesterday (January 23) for four weeks.

Anti-littering leaflets will also be handed out to drivers, thanks to the Port of Felixstowe, at the vehicle check points at the Dock Gates and will also be available at the Orwell Crossing.

“This Council’s Chief Executive Stephen Baker and others have been asking the Highways Agency to put anti-litter messages on their new multi-million pound VMS gantries along the A14 and hopefully that will eventually happen.

“In the meantime, we have decided to press ahead with our own initiative and have hired these solar-powered boards to get our rather important environmental messages out to as many people as possible.

“There really is no excuse for anyone to drop litter or for fly-tipping as there are so many bins and recycling facilities for people to use when they are out on the road, or of course they can bag it up and dispose of it at home,” added Cllr Nunn.

Anyone that spots someone dropping litter from a vehicle can report the incident to SCS on 01394 444000.

Photos from yesterday’s launch of the new signs can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/suffolkcoastal/6755722455/in/set-72157629014185155

Launched in 2010, the awards puts the spotlight on the efforts being made by people across Suffolk Coastal to add to the district’s quality through new projects that have helped conserve historic buildings, create new top-notch designs, or helped benefit the local landscape, nature, local community or community spirit.

“This district has a proud record of excellence on show, which this Council’s commitment to encouraging high quality design and conserving the best of our district has played its part in delivering,” said Cllr Andy Smith, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Planning.

“There has been a trend in recent years for projects in our district to eventually gain national recognition and what we are trying to achieve with this award scheme is to help laud locally the quality of design and conservation on our doorsteps.

“We have introduced an additional category this year to specifically take account of those developments which have contributed to local facilities and community spirit, and I hope we again attract a high standard of entries for our judges to consider,” added Cllr Smith.

The awards aim to recognise and encourage an interest in the quality of the built and natural environment in Suffolk Coastal, while promoting an awareness of the need for high standards in all forms of design.

Entries are invited in four categories, building conservation, design, nature/landscape, and community project. Entry is free and nominations should be submitted by 4.45pm on Friday, April 27, and they will be judged on the basis of the quality of design, detailing, and workmanship, as well as materials and sustainability.

The project must be within the Suffolk Coastal area and have been completed between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011, except for the nature and landscape category whose start date is January 1, 2007 in recognition of the time it takes for such work to be established.

Full details, along with an entry form, can be found on www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/policy/qualityofplace where there is also information about, and pictures of, previous winners. People can also email conservation@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk or call 01394 444296.

A panel of professional and lay judges, chaired by a district councillor, will review the nominations and visit the shortlisted sites. Winners will receive a bronze Quality of Place plaque at a special ceremony in the summer.

Following last week’s (January 12) meeting of Suffolk Coastal’s Scrutiny Committee which asked Cabinet to look again at its decision on the Spa’s future and called for the building to remain open until January 2013, Cabinet will discuss what can be done at its February 7 meeting.

“We are spending around £250,000 a year on the Spa, and on top of that it needs at least £3 million to be spent in the next few years to bring the building up to modern standards. At a time when we have a £2.8 million budget gap, the view of Cabinet was that we really cannot afford to make that type of investment or long-term commitment,” said Cllr Geoff Holdcroft, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Leisure.

“At last week’s meeting it was spelt out by external theatre experts that the Spa will not begin to attract audiences without massive investment in the building and a doubling of its subsidy from Council Taxpayers. That is why we want to find a long-term future for the Spa, whether that be with a new local trust running the building or outside established companies with new proposals.

“Cabinet will of course listen to what Scrutiny said but much of it centred on the issue of timing, on when our contract with its managers should end, a decision that may not even be in our hands, as the meeting heard Openwide Coastal confirm it will not run the theatre if it was losing it money. My view is that we have to take decisions that will deliver a long-term future for the Spa and I hope that in February we can confirm the way forward,” added Cllr Holdcroft.

Following the original Cabinet decision in December, the current managers of the theatre, Openwide Coastal, had said it would run the Spa and its full programme up to the end of June as it would not be economically viable to run it until October as requested.

Two years ago the Council called in consultants to look at the options for the Spa, taking account of the needs of the local community and the requirement for it to be run in a cost-effective way. The full consultants’ report and the other papers presented to Cabinet in December were made public yesterday (Wednesday) on the Council’s website – visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourcouncil/meetings/exempt/

Their report concluded that if no major investments are made the Spa will quickly become unfit for purpose and that the building is already out of date. Audiences at the Spa have been falling to a degree that each ticket was being subsidised by the Council by well over £7.

“All our work on the future of the Spa has been put on hold since before Christmas because of the demand to have the Cabinet decision reviewed. We can still not get on with talking with local community groups that have used the Spa to see what help we can give them in the future to find alternative venues if that is necessary.

“We have also not been able to proceed with our investigations into whether a theatre trust like that which has taken over the running of Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre is a way forward or been able to offer help to those who may be interesting in pursing such an option. At the same time, we have had to hold fire on calling for ideas for the Spa from national companies who have the financial clout to put them into effect.

“My original hope was that in June we would have a firmer idea of what the Spa’s future would be, when we would have had the chance to see and consider both the strength of local proposals and also what leisure or entertainment proposals and potential investment outside companies and organisations had come up with. I hope we can announce a new timetable that will still mean that this summer the way forward for the Spa will be much clearer,” added Cllr Holdcroft.

People in the two districts, and the rest of Suffolk, can boost the chances of better speeds by proving to the Government and suppliers that there is genuine demand in Suffolk and taking part in this survey is a way to do that.

Leader of Waveney District Council Cllr Colin Law said: “Superfast broadband will not be rolled out across the country at the same time and it is clear that some regions will get to the front of the queue quicker than others. This is why it is vital that everyone in Suffolk completes this survey to show that the demand is there and that investment is desperately needed. I call on the people of Waveney to stand up and be counted and help the County by just taking a few minutes to fill out the form. It really could make all the difference.”

The county has one of the poorest broadband networks in the country, with an average speed of under 5 megabytes per second, but an ambitious £41.7 million project supported by local councils, businesses and national government is set to bring the area into the 21st century.

Cllr Ray Herring, Leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council said: “There is already significant cash backing for this vital project, with up to £10m set aside by the county council and £11m from the Government, while our Local Strategic Partnership has also put in funding. But the next vital step is that we have to prove that our communities want the improved service, which is why need everyone to go online and give their support. Resources are limited and we need to show that we not only deserve them here but that the demand is here to make it worthwhile for the investment to come our way,” added Cllr Herring.

This survey follows a similar exercise undertaken with Suffolk businesses, which is also still live, and can be completed in a number of ways. For full details head to the dedicated web page set up by the County Council on behalf of the countywide broadband partnership:
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/broadband

Joint press release issued by Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils

A simultaneous meeting of the two Cabinets at Wenhaston agreed a scheme that will affect all parts of the planning services offered by the two Councils, merged in a move that is both expected to mean better performance and bring shared savings of over £800,000.

The Councils’ Cabinet Members for Planning, Cllr Andy Smith at Suffolk Coastal and Cllr David Ritchie at Waveney, are delighted. Cllr Smith said: “The Government has made significant changes to the way planning needs to operate in the future and we intend to be ready to adapt and support the new localised ethos and be even more responsive to the communities we serve.

“We are looking to bring in not just an organisational restructure but also a complete cultural change to the way our planning services work, which will improve the delivery of our service to our customers and make the most of new technologies.

“Our Councils have been pioneers in many ways recently, such as our shared Chief Executive and our slimmed down joint management team, or our Coastal Management initiatives, and these radical changes to our planning services will again lead the way in offering further improved, efficient services,” added Cllr Smith.

Philip Ridley has been the shared head of the two Councils’ planning services since November 2008, and has overseen the creation of the merged Coastal Management team, as well as being at the forefront of the development and introduction of shared working.

The next major task is to bring together the expertise of the Development Control, Planning Enforcement and Building Control teams, who in all number over 50 people.

A substantial investment will be needed to bring Suffolk Coastal up to the same modern computer system standards for administering the planning process as currently used at Waveney, which also offers more comprehensive and easily accessible information to Town and Parish Councils, and the wider public, regarding planning applications.

“The aim is by April to create three teams covering the north, south and central part of the combined area of our two districts, to cover all the issues regarding planning applications, enforcement, or safeguarding new structures through building control. These teams will be responsive to the individual needs of the communities they serve,” said Cllr Ritchie.

“These changes will make currently good services even better – both Councils are among the better performers in terms of all the key indicators such as speed and quality of dealing with applications. The sharing of knowledge and expertise across our districts, and the development of high calibre staff to meet this exciting challenge, making the most of the plethora of new technology now available, will help us deliver a modernised service, responsive to the needs both of our communities and those who want to invest in our area.

“As well as a modernised service to meet their future needs, our residents will also be delighted to know that these proposals will also deliver large and much-needed savings. We expect that the total savings of our shared planning team will be nearly £850,000 since 2008 when Philip Ridley took on the management of both teams, which is proving vital in helping our Councils bridge their budget gaps,” added Cllr Ritchie.

The next steps will be to merge the Planning Policy services, both of which have been heavily involved in the production of their district’s respective Local Development Frameworks, and also the Design and Conservation and Administration teams.

Also, a joint Major Projects Team will be created, to focus on maximising the benefits of potential projects such as offshore renewable energy, Sizewell, BT’s Adastral Park, regeneration in Lowestoft and the Port of Felixstowe, while protecting the local environment and obtaining the necessary housing and infrastructure such projects require.

The new single team will then work alongside the Coastal Management team, itself a move which places the Councils at the forefront of the new integrated Coastal Management that is set to become the norm nationally.

A joint press release from Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils

While the countywide Don’t be a Tosser campaign, led by BBC Radio Suffolk, will soon be marking its fifth year of combating litter across the county, Suffolk Coastal is highlighting the financial and environmental cost of rubbish.

“There really is no excuse for dropping any litter or fly-tipping anywhere in our district as there are so many easy ways to properly dispose of any items, whether it be in one of the thousands of litter bins or recycling banks, or at one of the household waste recycling centres,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“The thoughtless actions of just a few people are costing us all £600,000 a year, as that is what this Council has to spend on its street cleaning service, money which in these tough financial times could be much better spent.

“Discarded litter, whether it is a cigarette butt or chewing gum, or food cartons, cans or bottles, all have an environmental impact on our district as well. I would strongly urge the few who are costing us all so much to be more responsible and as the campaign says, to stop being a tosser. I would also warn those who are littering that they risk being fined,” added Cllr Nunn.

The Council’s energies have recently been concentrated on tackling litter caused by motorists, with over 80 caught since April and issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for dropping litter.

Keeping the stretches of the A12 and A14 within the district clean of litter is one of the thankless tasks facing the Council’s Suffolk Coastal Services teams. A dedicated crew covers these main routes on a continuous basis routinely collecting litter that has come from passing vehicles.

“It must be a soul-destroying job for our SCS team who are doing such a great job clearing these main roads of quite often unpleasant litter. They know that they will have more to start collecting again once they return to the same stretches of these main roads.

“I really hope that the message gets through at last to all motorists and everyone else dropping litter that enough is enough. Please just bag up your rubbish and throw it away or recycle it as there are so many ways that this can be easily done,” added Cllr Nunn.

Free pocket ashtrays for cigarette butts are on offer from SCS – call 01394 444000 or email scsltd@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk, which are also the contacts details for anyone wanting to report someone dropping litter or fly-tipping.

Anyone caught dropping any sort of litter can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of up to £80, or risk having to pay £2,500 if taken to Court. The penalties for fly tipping are even stricter, with the upper limit being £50,000 or even imprisonment.

Suffolk Coastal’s conservation team has put the call out to encourage more buildings to open their doors and already the Felixstowe Society has agreed to play its part by adding some of the town’s historic assets to those that people can visit.

“Heritage Open Days (HODS) celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture,” said Cllr Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning.

“Our district has more than its fair share of such attractions and we want even more of them to come forward and take part in this exciting and stimulating national event. It is excellent news that the Felixstowe Society is set to put the focus on some of the town’s splendid assets, while Woodbridge and its maritime event that runs as part of HODS has shown how popular such events can be.

“I hope that owner across our district will take the chance to sign up and become part of this initiative that will help bring home once again what a unique heritage our district has got and also the efforts being taken to maintain it for future generations. Anyone interested in taking part or being a volunteer guide or steward should contact our conservation team,” added Cllr Smith.

Suffolk Coastal’s conservation team can be contacted on 01394 444616 or email conservation@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk. More information about HODS can be found on www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

The service provided by Suffolk Coastal Services Ltd will otherwise be working every other day as usual, with normal collections scheduled for the bank holidays on Tuesday, December 27 and Monday, January 2.

“Our residents get an excellent service from our SCS collection teams all round the year, but especially over the Christmas period when they always keep the disruptions to the normal schedule as minimal as possible,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“This year, the only change is that those rounds that are normally visited on the Boxing Day Monday, December 26 should now put their bins out two days earlier, on Saturday when our teams will get everything collected before the end of Christmas Eve.

“I would again thank residents for all their efforts to recycle their waste, which has made us one of the top 10 areas in the country, and ask them to please resolve to carry on minimising their waste over the holiday period and into the new year,” added Cllr Nunn.

Suffolk Coastal brown bins can take any cooked or uncooked food waste, as well as cardboard, shredded paper, napkins, garden cuttings or leaves, while the blue-lidded bin is ideal for empty food and drinks cans, clean foil, plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays, greetings cards, or wrapping paper.

Real Christmas trees with a stem diameter of up to an inch and a half can be recycled by fitting them into the brown bin, cutting the branches if necessary – please ensure that the lid can still be closed. Real Christmas trees, as well as any other extra recyclable items, can also be recycled free of charge by taking them to any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Foxhall, Felixstowe or Leiston.

While the Council does not currently collect glass bottles there is a network of glass banks around the district that people can take their empties to; remember, the glass banks can also take glass jars as well as glass bottles of any colour. For more information about recycling visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourhome/waste/

The full list of dates over the Christmas period is as follows:-

•Bank holiday Monday, December 26 will be collected on Saturday, December 24
•Bank holiday, Tuesday, December 27 will be collected on bank holiday Tuesday, December 27
•Wednesday, December 28 will be collected on Wednesday, December 28
•Thursday, December 29 will be collected on Thursday, December 29
•Friday, December 30 will be collected on Friday, December 30
•Bank holiday Monday, January 2 will be collected on bank holiday Monday, January 2