COUNCIL leader Steve Galloway has pledged to step up efforts to encourage greater community pride in York.

At last night's awards ceremony for this year's York Community Pride campaign, he revealed a range of new initiatives to help improve the city environment.

The initiatives include:

  • A Get rid of Graffiti Campaign with the councils street environment officers undertaking inspections and enforcement under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
  • Operation Spring Clean, which will involve a high visibility clean up of the city centre and residential areas.
  • Residents being asked to identify "grot spots" so action can be taken to tackle these before Christmas.
  • Street Champions will be appointed across the City, and "Caring for Your Environment Awards" will be given to members of the public, organisations, groups and schools that help make a difference in their neighbourhood. That initiative will climax at this event next year.

Coun Galloway, pictured addressing last night's audience, said: "Everyone can do that little more to keep their street, back lane or amenity area tidy and I hope that we will get some willing volunteers from tonight's audience."