Volunteers clear rubbish from Govanhill streets and demand better from Glasgow City Council

Unions are set to meet with Glasgow City Council over cleansing issues in Govanhill.
Campaigners are demanding greater investment by the council in cleansing services in Govanhill.Campaigners are demanding greater investment by the council in cleansing services in Govanhill.
Campaigners are demanding greater investment by the council in cleansing services in Govanhill.

Living Rent tenants’ union says talks will take place with the council in January.

It follows a campaign by the union, alongside the GMB’s city council branch, which included a day of action in Govanhill at the weekend.

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Members and residents collected over 100 bags of rubbish from backcourts and streets.

They also held a protest outside Queen’s Park and have collected almost 1300 signatures on a petition which calls on the council to invest more money in cleansing services in the area.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman confirmed an online meeting will be held to share information on work already under way and to listen to proposals.

The union said: “The Govanhill branch, through a powerful campaign uniting tenants and residents with local cleansing workers, has successfully secured a negotiation with Glasgow City Council.

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“This campaign demanding greater investment in local cleansing services has been planned and carried out entirely by people who live in the area.

“It gained mass support overall several months from people of all communities in Govanhill.

“The campaign culminated in a highly successful day of action at the weekend, in which dozens of participants worked in teams to clear rubbish from streets and backcourts before coming together for a demonstration demanding long-term solutions.”

The union will meet with the council’s city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, Cllr Anna Richardson.

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Its petition requests a backcourt team to support the existing workforce, greater enforcement to crack down on fly tipping and litter and a targeted education programme on recycling and waste.

A council spokesman said: “An online discussion will be arranged for some time in January to share information on the wide range of established partnership work that is underway in the area and to listen to any proposals the group may have.

“The city convener is always keen to engage with groups who bring concerns to our attention.”

The council has previously said millions of pounds have been invested in upgrading homes in Govanhill, transforming factoring arrangements and addressing many backcourt issues.

A representative also said the streets of Govanhill are serviced daily and dedicated pest control and environmental health services operate in the area.

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