The streets of Walsall's five district centres will be cleaned seven days a week, as new working patterns are introduced to staff in a bid to cut costs.
Walsall Council's Clean and Green team have trialled new working patterns which have seen street cleaning staff covering the town centre every day between 6.45am and 6pm.
Officials at the authority say the move – which reduces overtime costs from weekend working – has been a success and will now be rolled out to Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall.
"This trial is aimed at improving the appearance of the streets of Walsall for the benefit of shoppers, residents and businesses whilst making the service more efficient," said councillor Lee Jeavons, portfolio holder for environment and transport at Walsall Council.
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"The trial working patterns means we have a longer visible presence and it is also saving the authority, and ultimately the taxpayer, money by reducing overtime costs from weekend working along with better utilisation of our fleet."
Previously, the team – which ranges from barrow men and women to sweeper drivers – worked five days a week with limited hours on Saturday and Sunday.
The pilot was scheduled to run until September, but officials say it has proved such a success that it has been extended to March 31 next year.
Additionally, the new working patterns will be trialled across the remainder of street cleaning services from October 6 to March 31, to cover the district centres and residential areas.
Councillor Jeavons added: "Results from the trial in Walsall town centre are positive, hence the extension of the pilot both in the town centre and across the wider borough."
Street cleansing work covers a wide range of jobs including litter picking, sweeping footpaths, cleaning around street furniture and lamppost columns, removal of flytipping and graffiti and cleaning of war memorials.
Walsall Council's Clean and Green team have trialled new working patterns which have seen street cleaning staff covering the town centre every day between 6.45am and 6pm.
Officials at the authority say the move – which reduces overtime costs from weekend working – has been a success and will now be rolled out to Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall.
"This trial is aimed at improving the appearance of the streets of Walsall for the benefit of shoppers, residents and businesses whilst making the service more efficient," said councillor Lee Jeavons, portfolio holder for environment and transport at Walsall Council.
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"The trial working patterns means we have a longer visible presence and it is also saving the authority, and ultimately the taxpayer, money by reducing overtime costs from weekend working along with better utilisation of our fleet."
Previously, the team – which ranges from barrow men and women to sweeper drivers – worked five days a week with limited hours on Saturday and Sunday.
The pilot was scheduled to run until September, but officials say it has proved such a success that it has been extended to March 31 next year.
Additionally, the new working patterns will be trialled across the remainder of street cleaning services from October 6 to March 31, to cover the district centres and residential areas.
Councillor Jeavons added: "Results from the trial in Walsall town centre are positive, hence the extension of the pilot both in the town centre and across the wider borough."
Street cleansing work covers a wide range of jobs including litter picking, sweeping footpaths, cleaning around street furniture and lamppost columns, removal of flytipping and graffiti and cleaning of war memorials.
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