Wombles of Spalding Common volunteers feel let down by South Holland District Council as group litter picks in town centre

A group of dedicated litter-pickers who clear up human faeces and hundreds of cigarette butts are becoming despondent about the lack of pride shown in a town centre.

Ten members from Wombles of Spalding Common who gave up their Sunday morning to clear weeds and rubbish are ‘fed up’ repeatedly cleaning the same grot spots only for them to fill up again.

Organiser Peter Bird feels South Holland District Council is letting residents down, having highlighted to councillors the areas where fly tipping has been ongoing for years, but without seeing any action.

He said: “It looked lovely when we finished but the next day someone had ripped a load of flower heads in the circle so we think is it worth it - but there is no one else who is going to do it.

“We have a group of devoted litter pickers that do it on a regular basis but are becoming fed up with the town getting worse again and it is sad to see people leaving and getting despondent.

“It is such a brilliant group of people and they are being let down walking past the same crap every day.

“Volunteers feel totally demoralised as there seems to be no back up from the council.”

“The council have known about these areas for years and are not doing anything. They are failing us.

“They should have enthusiastic trained staff who have a bit of pride in their job.

“There is a litter problem and no one is prepared to go above and beyond and the contractors are a waste of money.”

Wombles took two and a half hours sprucing up Victoria Street, the benches opposite Boots, Red Lion Street and Hall Place and in the past have had to clean up human faeces and needles.

The environmental group has targeted areas such as overflowing bins near Ayscoughfee Hall, piles of rubbish bags on Albion Street, Victoria Street car park, discarded settees on St Thomas's Rd and rubbish along The Crescent, abandoned car seats on Westlode Street and more rubbish on Abbey Passage and Winsover Road.

Recently residents have been urged to have their say on whether wheelie bins should be introduced as the council launched a consultation to find out if people want to keep their black bin bags or move over to wheelie bins and has so far received 2,000 responses.

Mr Bird, who lives in Spalding, says that flimsy bin bags could be adding to the problems seen in the town - along with attracting rats.

He said: “We are cleaning up more than litter that is hanging around in the corners, drains and bins.

“There are two properties near the railway crossing at Winsover Road who dump their rubbish and really it should be the responsibility of the landlords and if they get fined pass it onto their tenants.

“Ayscough Avenue is an eye sore and it has been 14 years trying to get the area cleared.”

The Wombles have been clearing litter since 2021 and members can collect 25 bags of rubbish a day.

Although there has been support shown by councillors joining litter picks, members feel more could be done by the council.

South Holland District Council entered into a three-year contract with Kingdom LA Support in 2023, with the aim of cracking down on littering and fly-tipping with foot patrols and using overt CCTV.

This contract has created some controversy with some community figures arguing Kingdom have prioritised quick-cash minor offences such as littering instead of cracking down on crimes such as fly-tipping.

The district council earns 10% of the fines issued by Kingdom and received £7,041.50 from its first year of the contract.

Mr Bird said: “We see street wardens on the streets fining the public for dropping a tiny bit of paper.

“They are picking on the general public but it should be sorted out and identified by the council who is responsible.

“The council have not got their finger on it at all and are picking on the wrong people.”

Properties that are let by agents and houses in multiple occupation (HMO) are also contributing to the problem of a build up of rubbish, Mr Bird feels.

He said: “I have walked around with one of the councillors just before we got locked down and highlighted areas that are eyesores.

“It should be a gateway to the town which is what residents want to see.

“If two wardens carried litter pickers maybe people would realise they are taking pride in the town but I think the council are not sure how to tackle it.”

Previously the litter-pickers took advantage of the unusually low water in the River Welland to fish out the rubbish.

Back in March, volunteers teamed up with the Peterborough and District Angling Association to clear the River Welland of clear traffic cones, trolleys and debris.

The group is trying to combat a lack of education by going into schools to teach youngsters about the issue.

Areas that the group have tackled include Ayscough Avenue, Castle Sports Complex, Thames Road and Short Street.

Mr Bird said: “People need educating so we have worked with the schools and the parishes.

“It is a shame because we put so much effort in it and perhaps it is a sign of the times.

“We had a float in the flower parade and are trying to bring the kids up with a bit more respect for the environment.”

Sam Smith-Dale has been volunteering as a womble since 2021 and led the group on this recent litter pick - and was encouraged by being given cold drinks from Sheddies (Turner’s Fish Restaurant) and ice-creams from Marco’s.

The council has agreed to pick up womble-labelled bags but there are some issues such as fly-tipping that volunteers cannot deal and these need to be escalated to the council.

She said: “Some volunteers are so fed up with it and have decided to put the picker down.

“Even though we pick up Tampax, sanitary towels, dog and human faeces, needles and knives there is much more to litter picking.

“I think it is everybody’s responsibility and we all need to play a part.”

As a keen litter picker she feels there is a ‘magical’ side to it as she gets to know rough sleepers and street drinkers whom she believes should be treated with kindness.

She said: “I stop and talk to them and they are so respectful and have started putting bottles in to bags that I leave for them.

“There have been lots of instances that I think I have helped with private issues.

“I smile and have a chat with someone who probably hasn’t been spoken to in a nice way for a long time.”

Volunteers collected 100 bags of rubbish from the dyke at Castle Sports Complex in just one day and another problem is businesses are also leaving rubbish out on pavements in front of shops.

She added: “There is much more to it that just the litter but sometimes I am livid with areas that are disgusting.

“Touch wood I have not found a gun yet.

“The amount of people who thank me while I am doing it means it is not a thankless task and if we don’t do it, who will?”

Coun Anthony Casson, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for public protection, says the contract with Kingdom is having an effect.

He said: “We continue to take a pro-active approach to enforcement across the district, identifying and targeting hotspots for activity such as Winsover Road, Victoria Street and Ayscough Avenue in Spalding.

“Through a combination of routine patrols by our Enviro-crime Officers and criminal investigations a number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have already been issued for offences such as littering and fly-tipping in 2024.

“The council works with town centre residents to provide education on their responsibilities for storing and presenting waste on their collection days, and the team will continue to patrol these areas going forward and take action wherever the evidence enables us to do so.

“Camera technology has also been used within the district to capture evidence of fly-tippers, whilst also serving as an effective deterrent to prevent would-be offenders from carrying out crimes. In Ayscough Avenue there was no fly-tipping captured whilst the camera was in place, although FPNs have been issued in this location for fly-tipping and mis-presentation offences."

Coun Tracey Carter, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for strategic and operational housing, said: “Homelessness and rough sleeping are some of the most devastating things that can happen to someone, and our housing options team will always work quickly and effectively to refer anyone who presents to us as street homeless to our outreach service - Change4Lincs.

"Change4Lincs are then able to complete checks on these referrals and gather the details of where they will be sleeping, so their team can locate and identify them, and offer bespoke support to help them with their situation.

"By ensuring they are referred through to change4Lincs@southkesteven.gov.uk, with their location and as much detail as possible, we can help them get the support and advice they need as soon as possible."

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