PDE and council the running for an Oscar!

Mar 4 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

A CAMPAIGN by every Buddie’s favourite newspaper to clean up our towns and villages is in the running for an Oscar.

And it’s all down to you – our wonderful readers.

We joined forces with Renfrewshire Council to launch the Clean Renfrewshire Campaign and hundreds of you – from tiny tots to active OAPs – got behind the project.

Now that the 81st Academy Awards are all done and dusted it’s the turn for the local authority Oscars to be staged – and the results could be just as thrilling.

The big Clean Renfrewshire Campaign has been nominated for a COSLA award.

Known as the local authority Oscars, the campaign has been shortlisted in the promoting sustainability category.

The Clean Renfrewshire Campaign, which was launched last May, has a two-pronged approach. Renfrewshire Council pumped £2.7 million into various initiatives like grounds maintenance and street cleaning, a community caretakers pilot and the development of the Renfrewshire Wardens Service to tackle environment crime.

And at the same time, through the pages of the Paisley Daily Express, residents are encouraged to ‘do their bit’ by taking part in community clean ups and reinforcing the Clean Renfrewshire message.

Editor of the Express, Anne Dalrymple, praised Buddies for the superb backing they have given to the campaign.

She said: “We know that people in Paisley and the surroundings towns and villages in Renfrewshire take a great deal of pride in their communities and the Paisley Daily Express feels exactly the same way.

“The Express has been delighted to drive the Clean Renfrewshire campaign forward and it is wonderful that so many of our readers have given their support to the cause.

“The campaign has already made a real difference in our communities and there will be further improvements in the months ahead.

“It is fitting that this success is being recognised through the nomination for a prestigious COSLA award.

“That is something we can all be proud of.”

The council has been shortlisted in eight categories in total, covering a range of services from providing innovative services for elderly and vulnerable residents to a major sporting event for pupils with special needs.

Renfrewshire Council Leader, Derek Mackay said: “I am delighted that Renfrewshire’s many achievements have been recognised in this way.

“The range of services which have been nominated show Renfrewshire’s commitment to improving services, listening to and involving the people we serve.

“To have eight services nominated among services from across Scotland is a tribute to the council and our staff.”

The other projects nominated are the Care and Technology Project, Primary and Special Games, Transition to Employment, Reaching Older Adults Across Renfrewshire, The Renfrew Crew, Nurturing Positivity for All at Springbank Nursery and Empowering Local Communities.

The awards ceremony will take place in St Andrews on Thursdayduring the annual COSLA conference.