Nine hundred litter offences reported in just one year

Westmeath County Council received and investigated 898 reports of littering offences in 2016, a council officer said at the launch of a new campaign last Thursday.

Ruth Maxwell, Westmeath County Council, said: “While every complaint is investigated, the lack of evidence to prosecute can be a problem.

“Westmeath County Council have a freephone number to report illegal dumping and fly tipping – 1800 819 000 and every call received will be investigated.”

Ms Maxell was speaking at the launch at Áras an Chontae last Thursday of Back to Beauty, which gives support to community groups who want to tackle black spots in their areas.

It has been established to give longevity to the National Spring Clean, which runs for the month of April each year.

The cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Frank McDermott, who launched the scheme, said: “This initiative is welcomed in every corner of the county and is a great opportunity for communities to get involved and be supported in their endeavours by the local authorities.

“Community groups, Tidy Towns groups, residents associations and individuals together with the county councils do tremendous work fighting the battle of illegal dumping and fly tipping and extra support like this will make a massive difference to any group that gets involved.”

Anyone interested in applying for assistance under ‘Back to Beauty’ can submit the information below to awareness@westmeathcoco.ie or post to Ruth Maxwell, Environment Department, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar.

• Contact name, number, and location of black spot

• Photos of the area

• Description of the job and resources required (skip, machinery etc)

• Estimate of cost.