Programme 2008-2010
Environment
Establish and maintain a high quality, attractive environment, for all who visit, work or live in the town centre.
Achievements
A
Mansfield in Bloom – Around 30 businesses have supported this each summer by purchasing hanging baskets and/or planters. In 2006 Mansfield was awarded Silver Gilt and in 2007 won of the increasingly competitive regional Britain in Bloom contest, with special mention given to the cleanliness of the town centre and community involvement. Additional floral displays were funded for town centre.
B
Mansfield’s refurbished market place achieved Regional and National Awards:
- British Council of Shopping Centres - Town Centre Environment Gold Award Nov 2006.
- Association of Town Centre Management & East Midlands Development Agency regional best practice awards Dec 2006 - Creating Quality Environments - Highly Commended.
C
A Markets Working group was established, and meetings held regularly with traders chaired by the Mayor. Issues addressed included stall covers, layout, food court, best practice visits to other markets, displacement policy, promotion, speciality markets.
D
A Sunday market/car boot was trialled Sept-Dec 2007, managed by private operator, however demand did not justify continuing in the poorest weather months.
E
Speciality markets, ‘Continental’, ‘Polish’, and Farmers Markets were held, supported by themed activities or entertainment.
F
Stockwell Gate/Quaker Way bridges – The Co-op (now Westgate Dept store) and Notts County Council refurbished the underneath of their bridges with new cladding, replacement lights and painting in Autumn 2006.
G
The underneath of the Four Seasons canopy was also refurbished in Spring 2007 to address the damage caused by pigeons.
H
‘Your Mansfield District’ environmental campaign (recycling, litter, smoking, dog fouling), was launched in the market place during summer 2007.
I
A dedicated depot for town centre cleansing equipment was funded.
J
Mansfield town centre successfully bid to be part of the 2007 DEFRA-funded Chewing gum campaign to deter. Gum Wraps were distributed at West Notts College Freshers Fair and via Mansfield Association of Licensed Venues. The campaign featured posters, billboard, bus, and telephone kiosk advertising, and a launch day in the market place. At the start of the campaign, surfaces of the Market Place and Church St were professionally steam cleaned.
K
Litter enforcement – 69 fines issued in town centre April 2006-Mar 2007, and 149 fines in 2007/2008 were issued by Enviro Crime Wardens in town centre. A special evening weekend of litter enforcement was held in Sept 2007.
L
Enviro Crime Wardens started patrols round town during early evening to help combat antisocial behaviour on junior disco nights.
M
Graffiti fines were issued, with some offenders choosing “restorative” justice (cleansing), rather than pay fine.
N
A public toilet review was completed by Mansfield District Council during 2007 & short term recommendations approved in Feb 2008.
Current Projects
O
Graffiti - Enviro Crime Wardens are working with Police to target persistent offenders, and overcome problems cleansing hard to reach graffiti. A graffiti action week will take place.
P
Anti-Social Behaviour - Enviro Crime Wardens continue to collect needles. DAAT, Framework and MDC Homeless/child protection officers attend weekly briefings.
Q
Litter - Fines continue to be issued by Enviro Crime Wardens, who also work evenings with the extended Police family on junior disco nights, and Fri/ Sat evenings to address problems with promotional flyers.
R
Improved Public awareness/education - the GRIME Project is on-going.
S
Improved Business awareness/education - Enviro Crime Wardens are inspecting documents for waste disposal compliance.
T
Street Cleaning/Washing - Review of street cleaning equipment underway. Review policy re use of hot jet washer.
U
Public Toilets - Progress implementation of short tem recommendations. Seeking Mansfield District Council capital funding for building/refurbishment of facilities. Review existing partnership arrangements.
V
Shopmobility - Service being promoted to potential users (care homes, hospital, community groups).
W
Markets Working Group - Regular meetings held with traders. New policy agreed for 2nd hand traders and Markets charter.
X
Markets Loyalty scheme - ‘Shop Local’ eco bag launched May 2008 and loyalty stamp scheme for market traders.
Y
Markets - Speciality and Farmers markets are planned.
Z
Pigeons - Work to repair damage/antisocial activity to be undertaken by relevant property owners.
Z1
Britain in Bloom/ East Midland in Bloom - Additional floral displays funded by town centre partnership. Town centre businesses mailed leaflet to encourage floral display sponsorship.
Z2
Quarterly town centre environmental audit inspections continue to be undertaken.
Future Projects
Z3
Continue to improve the appearance of the multi storey car park stair wells/ lift areas/pay machine areas, with new cladding and painting.
Z4
Improve the appearance of car park entrances.
Z5
Replace some of the basic metal pedestrian barriers with more attractive coloured barriers (like the ‘gateway’ barriers on Portland St) where safe to do so.