South Kesteven's towns and villagers are looking so much smarter and cleaner, according to a leading district councillor.

Cabinet member for Commercial and Operations, Coun Dr Peter Moseley highlights 'The Big Clean', SKDC's own Best Kept Village competition and the support the district council gives to voluntary groups undertaking their own efforts.

Recently, the winners of the Best Kept Village competition was announced, with winners across the district.

Coun Moseley told Nub News: "It was one of the first things we at SKDC decided to switch back on after the COVID-19 lockdown, because people had spent so much time looking after their gardens and their communities.

"It was slightly different this year. We decided to do it on our own. The standard of the villages is brilliant. This is part and parcel of the Big Clean. Our aim was to blitz the district and get it to a good standard and keep it there."

"We had 6 teams to start with. They raised the standard and they aim to keep it there. Once we have something clean, it is easier to keep it clean. We have two teams now going around the villages and keeping them to a good standard."

In addition, the council will support voluntary groups with equipment to help them pick their own litter, such as the Stamford Litter Pickers receiving items to help them with their tasks.

Coun Moseley said: "It (The Big Clean) was one of the first things that I delivered as a cabinet member. It's one of the most valued initiatives that we have had. The results can be seen by every single constituent in the district."

The £660,000 programme, first launched in July 2017, then led to the council launching a blitz on littering by recruiting enforcement officers who could issue £100 fixed penalty notices to people who dropped litter, including chewing gum and cigarette buts, or failed to clean up after their dog.

Coun Moseley continued: "We continue to issue fixed penalty notices for littering. One of the successes that came out of the fixed penalty notice is our interventions on the street had a marked effect on how people reacted on the street. Having officers out there made people aware of them. It led to a reduction in the number of tickets, and waste dropped in the street!

"Over 300 were issued in year one, and 100 in year two. Now, the numbers are marginal, people aren't littering as much. It's reached a point where enforcement is unlikely to make much difference, but our staff are still out there, combining other tasks along the way."

A recent, and popular initiative, launched as part of the council's efforts was a 'ballot bin' system, where people could give their views on issues like the best biscuit.

Coun Moseley added: "Getting the message across about litter should not be contentious. It can be fun, and shows that we as councillors and a council have a human side. I am very grateful to the people of Grantham for answering some of the most pressing questions by using the 'ballot bin' and stubbing out responsibly"

• This is the fourth in our series of waste/environment related articles to mark Recycle Week 2020.