Public realm services, such as street cleansing and ground maintenance, could be enhanced under new plans being considered by a Suffolk council.

Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet members will consider the £360,000 boost at a meeting next week. 

The proposals could see an increase in scheduled street cleaning and ground maintenance work in Stowmarket town centre, as well as creating a new service to provide additional capacity to respond to street clearing across the district. 

Cllr Tim WellerCllr Tim Weller (Image: MSDC)

Mid Suffolk’s cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, councillor Tim Weller, said: “We know from what residents have told us that this is what they want to see. We all want Mid Suffolk to thrive. Not just economically, but also culturally, socially and environmentally.

“With our focus on sustainability and community we want this district to be a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to do business and a great place to visit. If we can achieve this, as councillors, as officers and working with all the other organisations involved, it will be something we can all be proud of.”

A report ahead of the meeting reveals the new service will be known as REACT. 

It will allow the public realm street cleansing team to focus on scheduled work across the district - including dog and litter bin emptying and fly-tipping - without the distraction of having to respond to reactive cleansing incidents. 

A street cleansing machineA street cleansing machine (Image: MSDC)

It is in addition to the £50,000 investment which has been made in Stowmarket Town Council's new ranger service. 

More frequent cleaning and maintenance schedules are among the proposals for the mid Suffolk town centre. 

The additional officers, new electric vehicle and additional day to day running costs are expected to cost just under £90,000 this year, rising to £270,000 to include the purchase of a sweeper and scrubbing machine and street hoover in 2025/26.