Our Streetscene Service aims to:
- Protect and enhance the built and green environment by providing an efficient and effective Streetscene Service for roads, path networks, open land and recreational areas
- Increase residents satisfaction with their neighbourhoods, by providing an efficient, reliable and effective Streetscene Service and provide for their recreational needs, by maintaining parks and other recreational areas to a high standard of cleanliness and horticultural standard
- Maintain and improve the road and pavement condition by ensuring that verges are well kept and maintained and that weed growth is kept under control by an annual weed control programme
- Protect residents and our environment from pollution and other public health and safety hazards, by ensuring the quick and efficient removal of items of dumped refuse from streets and open land, including dead animals and hypodermic syringes
The Open Space Asset Management Plan (OSAMP)(PDF, 359kb) sets out our approach for the management and maintenance of all Open Space assets. This should be read in conjunction with the Open Space Strategy (PDF, 438kb). The key objective of the OSAMP is to ensure our assets are fit for purpose and managed effectively and efficiently.
Cleanliness standards
The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2018 (COPLAR) provides local authorities with guidance on delivering on their main cleansing duties (for land under their ownership/responsibility) as set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (section 89).
These duties are:
- Keep land clear of litter and refuse.
- Keep certain roads clean.
In order to assess cleanliness levels, North Ayrshire Council has adopted the monitoring programme as set out within the Code of Practice.
Surveys are carried out throughout the year, and the results for each area surveyed are graded as follows:
- Grade A - no litter or refuse is present on any type of land
- Grade B - small amounts of litter and refuse
- Grade C - moderate amounts of litter and refuse, with small accumulations
- Grade D - significant amounts of litter and refuse, with consistent distribution and accumulations
- Grade E - substantial amounts of litter and refuse with significant accumulations
- Grade F - incidents of flytipping and hazardous/special waste (drug related waste, broken glass, animal carcasses, car parts, chemicals, and spillages)
The Code of Practice also provides statutory bodies with maximum response times, which are expected to be met for any area observed to be of a Grade B standard or below.
The expected response time becomes shorter as the severity of the litter issue/incident increases. For example, our expected response to a Grade B standard would be faster than our response for a Grade F.
Streetscene Maintenance and Cleaning Schedule
- Winter - October to March
- Summer - April to September
Channel Sweeping and Litter Picking
| Area/Zone | Channel Sweeping | Litter Picking |
|---|
| Town centre |
Every day |
Every day |
| Other popular areas |
Once every 2 weeks |
Twice per week |
| Residential areas (high population) |
Once every 2 weeks |
Twice per week |
| Residential areas (low population) |
Once per month |
Every 2 months |
| Rural/country roads |
Twice per year |
Twice per year |
Promenade Cleaning
| | Summer | Winter |
|---|
| Litter picking |
Sweeping |
Litter picking |
Sweeping |
| Irvine |
Every day |
Twice per week |
3 times per week |
Twice per week |
| Saltcoats |
Every day |
Twice per week |
3 times per week |
Twice per week |
| Ardrossan |
Every day |
Twice per week |
3 times per week |
Twice per week |
| Largs |
Every day |
3 times per week |
3 times per week |
Twice per week |
| Millport |
5 times per week |
5 times per week |
3 times per week |
Twice per week |
Beach Cleaning
| | Summer | Winter |
|---|
| Recreational areas and amenity beaches |
Once per week |
Once every 4 weeks |
| Sensitive and conservation beaches |
Monthly hand picking of litter |
Monthly hand picking of litter |
| Other beaches |
As necessary |
As necessary |
Landscape Maintenance
| Operation | Frequency |
|---|
| Emptying of litter bins in town centres |
Every day |
| Emptying of litter bins in housing areas |
Once per week |
| Emptying of dog bins |
Once per week |
| Mowing of roadside highway verges (with the exception of Trunk Roads - responsibility of the Highway Authority) |
Twice per year |
| Mowing of grass within housing open spaces and parks |
Maintained to an acceptable standard between April and October (weather dependent) |
| Weed control on road verges, footways, and both hard and soft surfaces |
Twice per year |
| Pruning ornamental shrubs and rose beds |
Twice per year |
| Inspecting water and life saving equipment |
Once per week |
| Inspecting play equipment and cleaning play areas |
Once per week |