Council aiming to clean up the streets with investment

Part of this will see 200 new street bins be installed as part of the major investment in East Ayrshire’s Cleaner Communities service.

A total of 200 new bins will be installed and 500 damaged ones replaced.

19 new staff will also be recruited to boost cleaning operations.

The improvements follow an independent review of the council’s Greener Communities service earlier this year, and will see the transfer of the majority of Greener Communities services to Ayrshire 360 in April 2027.

Councillor Jim McMahon, the council’s spokesman for housing, transport and communities, said: "All elected members recognise the picture that has been so clearly laid out in this report.

"We know from the Greener Communities review that we are doing some things really well, like bereavement services for example and the gull management action plan, which is being replicated by other local authorities but we know that improvements, and importantly investment, has to be made in Cleaner Communities to improve the service that is currently being delivered."

Under the new arrangements, bins within parks and cemeteries will be serviced by Ayrshire 360, while the council will retain responsibility for street bins, fly-tipping removal, and bulky uplifts.

Six new vehicles will also be purchased to help meet the council’s target of collecting bulky waste within five working days.

The same vehicles will support efforts to cut the fly-tipping removal time from 28 days.

A seven-day service could also be introduced, pending discussions with staff and trade unions.

Councillor McMahon added: "The council is working hard to find new ways to reduce littering in East Ayrshire.

"We are very grateful to those who act responsibly but sadly environmental crime is widespread."

The council will continue to use deployable cameras at fly-tipping hot spots, support school education programmes about environmental responsibility, and enforce penalties against offenders.