Pride in Easington campaign wins national award

District of Easington Council has won a prestigious national award for its campaign to create a cleaner, greener and safer environment.

The authority picked up the Sustainable Environment honour at last night’s Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards for the successful Pride in Easington initiative.

District of Easington was one of seven councils shortlisted for the award and shared the final honour with the London Borough of Merton.

Members of the Pride in Easington team collected the award during a ceremony London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Oliver Sherratt, Director of Community Services, added: “Pride in Easington promotes environmental responsibility for all and is an excellent example of how organisations including schools, volunteers, community groups, the council and local media can work together to make a real difference.”

The Sustainable Environment award is presented to authorities that can demonstrate they are dealing with flytipping, litter, graffiti and other environmental problems in a sensitive, imaginative and effective way.

Launched last year, the Pride in Easington campaign aims to improve life for residents in the district by creating cleaner, greener communities; tackling anti-social behaviour; celebrating success stories, and; empowering residents to improve their own neighbourhoods.

So far, the four-year programme has seen the launch of a community grants scheme, an annual Pride-themed fun day, community champion awards and a New Year Big Clean campaign, as well as the adoption of the Tidy Business and Eco Schools programmes.