LOCAL people will play a key role in tackling York's rubbish-strewn streets after councillors pledged to open the debate to residents.

Members of City of York Council's scrutiny (services) board are set to hold a series of surgeries inviting people from across the city to identify litter hot-spots.

In a debate last night on street-cleansing debate, the chairman, Coun John Galvin, said it was vital the public was involved in the fight to keep the city's streets clean.

The board proposed, in the near future, to carry out a range of activities designed to get the views of York residents.

And one of these could be to hold surgeries in the Guildhall, where people will be invited to give evidence about litter problems near them.

The move forms part of a new street-cleansing remit aiming to look at current standards and re-examine the service budget, which was cut because of cash pressures last year.

Coun Galvin said: "If we are going to make scrutiny work, we have to involve members of the public.

"We need to involve as many people as possible and get them to come forward in order to get precise evidence about this issue."

Over the last week, the Evening Press has reported growing dissatisfaction with the condition of the city's streets after Gillian Cruddas, of York Tourism Bureau, said rubbish-strewn areas were damaging the tourism industry.

The remit will run alongside other investigations into street cleansing, commissioned by council leader Rod Hills.

Discussing litter, members considered that educating people not to drop rubbish in the street was of great importance.

Coun Mick Brighton said: "It's about partnership and education. Developing an approach with the public and consulting the private sector."

Roy Templeman, director of the council's department of environment and development services, said: "It's also extremely important that we get across to the public what areas the council is responsible for cleaning.

"Of the 14 dirty areas highlighted in the Evening Press, only four are under the control of the council. The other ten are maintained by private collections.

"There's a perception that the council is responsible for all these streets."

Updated: 13:52 Friday, October 19, 2001