Slough Borough Council is reminding residents to vote for the first grot spot to be revitalised by April 24.
As part of the Home Office Justice Seen Justice Done campaign, five grot spots have been put forward by Slough Borough Council and Thames Valley Probation to be cleaned up by offenders carrying out Community Payback.
Slough Community Payback doesn’t take paid work away from others and the type of work includes:
* Landscaping
* Ground clearance
* Crime reduction work
* Building maintenance
* Litter picking and graffiti removal
* Painting and decorating – especially schools and playgrounds
* Duties at animal rescue centres
* Charity shop work
* Repairing scout / guide huts
In Slough each year, offenders carry out around 30,000 hours of community payback work under the supervision of Thames Valley Probation. In January 2009, offenders undertook 2,647 hours of work in the Slough alone.
Linda Wolski, allotments officer for Slough Borough Council said: “The Community Payback team have been working at Ragstone Road Allotment since February 19. An average of twelve offenders have been clearing impenetrable areas and helped some of the more elderly tenants maintain their plots.
Grot spot area at the Westfield Estate.“It’s been particularly helpful for those who’ve had allotments for some time and wish to continue, but find digging difficult. This will enable people to continue socialising and enjoying their hobby.
“I’m delighted with the work and so are the plot holders. Community Payback is improving the surroundings of the allotment which in turn should attract prospective tenants. Most importantly they’re helping people who really need and appreciate assistance with the manual work.”
Kam Bhatti, neighbourhood crime and justice coordinator for Slough Borough Council, said: “The Community Payback scheme is of great value to local communities. It’s a critical element of the Justice Seen Justice Done campaign as it demonstrates to the public that community sentences are not soft options and criminals face tough consequences.
“We’re asking residents to have their say on which grot spot offenders should be tackling first and as we’ve seen at Ragstone Road Allotment, Community Payback certainly gives excellent results.
“Residents have been giving feedback in their hundreds since the campaign launched at the end of March, and we’re calling on those who haven’t to make sure they have their vote.”
Cllr Satpal Parmar, commissioner for environment and open spaces, said: “With just over one week left, I encourage people to get online or call now to vote for the grot spot in need of transforming first.”
Residents can vote for their grot spot by:
* Visiting the council’s website and completing the form
* E-mailing their suggestion to payback.slough@slough.gov.uk
* Calling 0845 605 2222.
The six grot spots are:
* Grot spot 1 – 69 Meadfield Road, Langley
* Grot spot 2 – Lerwick Drive and Ronaldsay Spur alleyways
* Grot spot 3 – wasteland on Moray Drive
* Grot spot 4 – Wentworth Garages, Britwell
* Grot spot 5 – Westfield Estate, Colnbrook
Slough Borough Council
