Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with the Probation Service to run three Community Payback sessions as part of its Big Town Centre Clean-Up.
The first session took place on Wednesday 19th August, with groups of up to 10 people carrying out unpaid work under the supervision of the Probation Service.
Their tasks include removing graffiti from council-owned property and carrying out other environmental improvement work across the town centre.
Community Payback can form part of sentences handed to people convicted of offences, requiring them to carry out unpaid work which benefits the local community.
Those taking part are supervised by the Probation Service.
The town centre initiative expands an existing partnership between the council and Probation Service, with Community Payback teams already helping to maintain Whitworth Road Cemetery.
Council bosses say the three sessions could lead to Community Payback being used on more projects across Swindon, including work tackling graffiti, litter and other environmental problems.
Cllr Kevin Parry, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Recycling and Streetscene, said:
“Everyone has a role to play in The Big Town Centre Clean-Up and in helping to make a positive difference to our town centre.
“I’m grateful to the Probation Service for working closely with us to establish these Community Payback sessions.
“They will provide practical support for our clean-up efforts while giving participants the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community.”
Cllr Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services, said the council would consider expanding the scheme after the three sessions.
He said:
“This initiative builds on our successful partnership with the Probation Service, which already sees Community Payback participants making an important contribution to the upkeep of Whitworth Road Cemetery.
“Once these sessions have been completed, we will explore how Community Payback could play a wider role in supporting communities across Swindon and helping to address environmental issues that matter to residents.”
The Community Payback sessions form part of the council’s wider Big Town Centre Clean-Up.
The project has also involved council teams and hundreds of volunteer places for residents, businesses, councillors and council staff.
Work has included litter-picking, graffiti removal, restoring benches, clearing vegetation, improving flower beds and repairing damaged paving.
