by Alan Quick

FOLLOWING a recommendation from Mid Devon District Councils Cabinet, the full Council voted its support last week on a major new initiative in the fight against litter.

Having formed part of the Conservative party’s manifesto for the 2015 Mid Devon District Council elections, the Council agreed for the provision of two operatives and a van dedicated to litter picking throughout the district, initially for a one year period commencing in April 2017.

The financing of this service to be considered within the street cleaning review of Spring 2017, with any surplus funding requirement provided from the New Homes Bonus.

Council Leader Cllr Clive Eginton, (Conservative, Taw Vale), said: “I am delighted that we are able to take another positive step in our continued drive to keep Mid Devon as litter free as we can.

“This can only be good news for Crediton and our surrounding parishes as well as the rest of our District.

“Our Street Cleansing team, the volunteer litter pickers and the litter picking days organised by our parishes also play a vital role.”

Forming part of the Budget recommendations, to which there were no amendments, the Council took a recorded vote (where Councillors have to individually state their vote).

The Council voted 34 votes in favour, with none against and the five-strong Liberal Democrat group (including Crediton’s four Liberal Democrat Councillors) all abstaining.