CONSERVATIVE Councillors are calling on the rest of the Council to push for government funding to reduce litter in the district.

Councillor Debbie Davies (Conservative, Baildon) is urging other Councillors to back the application for grant funding, and is proposing the model used for the Litter Free Baildon initiative be rolled out across the district.

She is proposing the money be used to target littering in suburbs and outer villages of the district, with city and town centres covered by Council-funded litter pickers and enforcement action.

Cllr Davies said: “The Litter Innovation Fund allows Councils or other organisations to apply for grants of up to £10,000 that they commit to spending themselves, on innovative clean up campaigns.

“While I have contacted the Labour group for support as any application for funding would fail without their support, I am hopeful that Councillors from all political groups and independent members will also throw their weight behind a bid for a grant.

"It is widely recognised that people are more likely to discard litter in areas where there is already litter, so cleaning up our areas naturally has a knock on effect as people consciously and subconsciously change their behaviours.

"If our district is cleaner it also makes it more welcoming to visitors who we are keen to encourage in order to support the local economy."

She is calling on the Council to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 through the Waste and Resources Action Programme, to recruit more volunteers who will take responsibility for their area, pay for litter picking equipment, tabards, bags and promotion of the scheme.