New Mayor’s pledge to lead litter crusade

Welshpool’s newly appointed Mayor has pledged to continue his crusade on litter by creating a network of ‘champions’ that can ensure the town stays clean and tidy.

Cllr Bill Rowell has been a litter picker for two decades, and is keen to use his experience to encourage the town to come together and bin the litter issues that blight certain areas of the town.

He said that he won’t be put off by negative comments on a MyWelshpool story following his litter picking day earlier this year that saw just one member of the public attend, and added: “It’s easier to slag people off rather than roll up your sleeves and do it yourself.”

Cllr Rowell said that as well as enlisting litter pickers, he wanted to take a different approach by creating a network of volunteer ‘Litter and Tidiness Champions’ who keep an eye on various areas of the town and report issues as soon as they arise to Powys County Council.

“The county council are eager to respond once they know about something,” said Cllr Rowell told this week’s full council meeting.

“Litter is an annoyance, and it spoils the look of our town. It’s harmful to wildlife, and where it isn’t cleared it can attract vermin. On the whole, Welshpool is a sight better in this regard than some places I’ve been, but I’d like it to be better still.

“So, my hope is that this scheme can enable volunteers and statutory services to work together to greater effect, can increase awareness and encourage support from the wider public, and will make a real difference to how our town feels and looks.”

Cllr Alison Davies commended the unsung heroes of the town who “litter pick and do it quietly”.

“There are an awful lot of volunteers who just quietly get on and make the town better,” she said. “No song and dance, they just get on with it and have been doing it for years and years.”

Cllr Rowell said he will press on with his initiative and report back to the Town Council next month.