Luton Council has set out a major investment plan aimed at delivering visible improvements across neighbourhoods, with a renewed focus on everyday issues residents say are affecting quality of life. The programme places frontline services, enforcement and environmental standards at the centre of a wider push to make communities cleaner, safer and more welcoming.
The plan comes alongside a new campaign, Getting It Done, which will be used to publicly track action being taken on issues such as litter, fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour and poor parking. The council says the approach is intended to move beyond promises and show measurable change on the ground.
Backed by significant investment in frontline services, the council will focus on delivering visible improvements in four key priority areas: litter and fly-tipping, community safety and antisocial behaviour, dangerous and inconsiderate parking, and parks, play areas and opportunities for young people
Residents will see the benefits of £2million of additional investment in street cleansing, tackling litter and fly-tipping, a deep clean programme and problems caused by inconsiderate parking.
There will be more neighbourhood action days and stronger enforcement against antisocial behaviour both in local communities and the town centre.
A further £3million is being pumped into refurbishing all 60 council-managed playgrounds over the next two years, with 25 of those being refurbished in the next year. Along with an additional £500,000 being spent to improve sports pitches across the town.
The council is also recruiting 65 additional roles across key services, including neighbourhood enforcement and parking enforcement, waste compliance, street cleaning, grounds and parks maintenance, strengthening frontline teams to help ensure more visible action is taking place.
This increased operational activity will be highlighted through Getting It Done, a new campaign designed to show real action being taken on residents’ priorities.
Regular updates will highlight the action being taken, the results being achieved and how the additional investment is improving communities.
But creating cleaner, safer and more welcoming neighbourhoods isn’t something the council can do alone. Residents, businesses and community groups are being encouraged to play their part by reporting issues, acting responsibly and taking pride in the areas where they live and work.
Cllr Tahmina Saleem, Leader of Luton Council, said: “Residents are right to be angry when they see litter, fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour or inconsiderate parking blighting their neighbourhoods.
“We share those frustrations because this isn’t the standard anyone should accept for Luton.
“Our residents are right to expect better, and deserve to live in communities that are clean, safe and well looked after. Since I’ve taken over as leader, I have made this the council’s number one short-term priority.
“We’re investing more in the frontline services, enforcement and neighbourhood action needed to tackle these issues properly and consistently.”
Cllr Saleem added: “Residents have told us loudly and clearly that enough is enough. We agree. That’s why we’re stepping up, taking stronger action and getting it done.
“But we can’t do it on our own. Lasting change only comes when we all take responsibility and pride in the places we live and work.
“So we’re asking residents and businesses to play their part too. Report problems to us, keep your communities clean and tidy, and help us build a Luton we can all be proud of.”
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