THURROCK Council has done a u-turn on a decision to cut street sweepers in favour of a mobile cleaning service using fewer staff - now bringing in staff after realising job-cutting didn't work.

The council has revealed the decision to cut back on staff last year had led to a sharp downturn in the standard of street cleaning in the borough as staff driving around in mobile street cleaning vehicles weren't doing a good enough job.

Speaking at a cleaner, greener, safer overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Paul Southall, assistant director street scene and leisure, said: "In May 2023, to make savings across the cleaner greener service area the operational delivery model was changed by moving away from traditional hand sweeping, where staff go out with barrows, to mobile sweeping. It was decided that the service could be delivered with 14 less staff with minimum impact on the quality of the work being produced.

"By September 2023 there was a noticeable downturn in the quality, performance and overall standard of the work being produced across the service with an increase in complaints for litter and weed growth. It was also apparent there were several areas where there was a large build up of detritus indicating no sweeping had taken place on a regular basis."

Mr Southall said a drop in service quality was as a direct result of the changes made and a decision was made to undertake a review of the service.

He added: "It was agreed to bring back nine staff to improve standards across the service. In September the staffing level was increased by nine with several other improvement actions to address cleansing standards and performance.

"Not only has this led to an improvement in standards but there is also greater visibility of cleaning activity across the borough improving the overall perception of the service.

Committee chair Cllr Val Morris-Cook, said: "I can see a visible difference in the borough. I think we've still got some way to go but it's quite reassuring that when you go out you do actually see people out cleaning. It's good to see.

"Our challenge is perception. Most people come into Thurrock by the A13 and it's got to be the bane of our lives because most of the proportion of it within the borough does not come under our jurisdiction and the moment you come into Thurrock it is horrendous."