Dundee City Council: Alarm sounds on declining Dundee street cleaner numbers

A Dundee councillor has sounded the alarm on the declining number of street cleaners in the city.

Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson has obtained figures showing the number of street cleaning staff employed by Dundee City Council has fallen from 110 in 2015 to 71 this year. 

The number of grounds maintenance staff, who cover green spaces, playparks and flower decorations, has also fallen in the same period – down from 132 to 105.

Speaking on the figures, Councillor Macpherson said: “You can’t cut 39 staff out of the equation without two things happening.

“One, the amount you are able to do is less and two, the pressure you are placing on all the great staff that are left is so much more. 

“Unless you’ve got the staff out there that can do this (all year round), you’ll never get on top of it.” 

Bins collections “re-prioritised”  

Earlier this month, the local authority confirmed bin collections across Dundee were being “re-prioritised” as it struggled with staffing and resource issues. 

This led to councillors being “inundated” with complaints from constituents regarding overflowing Eurobins.  

But Dundee City Council say they are making additional investment in resources aimed at cleaning up city.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Councilllors recently agreed an additional £200,000 investment in city environment actions and activities.

“The extra funding is earmarked for a range of activities aimed at positively contributing to the city’s environment including the recruitment of additional seasonal staff and supporting the ongoing community clean-up works.

“This budget investment will allow four temporary street cleaning staff for a six-month period this financial year, with their efforts focused specifically on the city-centre area.”

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