Sunderland '˜beginning to resemble rubbish dump' as cuts hit clean-up teams

They are the shocking pictures that show Sunderland in the worst possible light.
Rubbish dumped around SouthwickRubbish dumped around Southwick
Rubbish dumped around Southwick

Litter strewn across city streets and rubbish flytipped with no regard for our neighbourhoods.

Coun Michael MordeyCoun Michael Mordey
Coun Michael Mordey
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Cash-strapped council chiefs have come under fire for failing to tackle the issue – but they insist the real culprit is the Government which has cut millions from annual budgets.

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Rubbish abandoned around SouthwickRubbish abandoned around Southwick
Rubbish abandoned around Southwick

And civic leaders are also urging Wearsiders to do their bit in the war against litter by keeping streets clean.

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Portfolio Holder for City Services, Coun Michael Mordey, said: “Most residents dispose of rubbish correctly and take a pride in our city, and I would like to thank and praise those that do so.

“The situation we are in is a direct consequence of Government austerity measures.

“For the last six years the council has managed the cuts in our funding by reducing back office functions as much as we can without an impact on frontline services.

Coun Michael MordeyCoun Michael Mordey
Coun Michael Mordey

“So much money has come out of council budgets because of Government cuts that it is inevitable residents are going to see further significant reductions in council services similar to those already seen in grass cutting and litter collection.

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“This is because there simply isn’t the money available to us to carry on as we did.

“I would urge all residents to find productive ways in which they can work with the council to make the city a better place to live, work and play – and to direct their anger towards the Government, who are responsible for the situation we now find ourselves in.

“The council can only work with the resources available to it. When you have lost more than £240m since 2010 and projected to lose another £115m to 2020 that is going to have a major impact on frontline services.”

Anyone who has concerns on littering they can report it by telephoning 520 5550 or visiting our website sunderland.gov.uk