Clean Sweep Of Waste Cheats

ROGUE waste carriers who cause major fly-tipping problems are being targeted in a major operation this week. Liverpool City Council's City Centre Neighbourhood Management Team is leading "Operation Cleansweep" on Tuesday 9 August to target unregistered waste carriers. The operation will also be checking that vehicles carrying waste are road taxed, if they are using red diesel, are unroadworthy or over-laden.

'Cleansweep' also involves Merseyside Police, Customs and Excise, ENCAMS, the Environment Agency and the DVLA. A major target of the initiative are those individuals who are paid to remove refuse from houses and businesses but instead of taking it to approved waste reception centres dump it on the streets and open spaces. It costs the City Council half a million pounds a year to clean up fly-tipped rubbish.

Police outriders will stop vans, pick ups and trucks carrying waste and bring them in for inspection by all of the agencies involved. The inspections will be conducted in a secure area of Jamaica Street in the city centre.

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, Executive Member for neighbourhood services said:- "Cleansweep aims to reduce the amount of flytipping in the city and also get the message out to rogue traders that the various agencies involved are working together to deal with this issue. Unregistered waste carriers are responsible for a lot of fly -tipping around the city and if we are to tackle it then the public also need to play their part when they have rubbish removed by ensuring the carrier is registered and uses proper waste collection sites."

Environment Agency Special Enforcement Officer Dave Hogg, said:- "Anyone who carries controlled waste for profit must be registered with us so that we can make sure they are operating safely and legally. Making money from waste crime is just not acceptable and flytipped waste can pose a threat to both people and the environment so we are pleased to be working with Liverpool City Council and the other agencies involved to tackle this problem."

17,000 raised by 5-a-side Football Challenge

THANKS to the support of the 17 teams who took part in the Motability and RAC 5-a-side Football Charity Challenge, many disabled people on the Motability Scheme will be helped to obtain the mobility solution they need. The football challenge took place in July at the state-of-the-art JJB Soccerdome in Derby and raised over £17,000 for Motability. 8 Limited, the trophy winners, were presented with tickets for a day out at Alton Towers, whilst, Los RAC Galacticos, winners of the Plate competition, received tickets to the renowned vintage car event, the Goodwood Revival.

Lucy Tyler, Corporate Account Executive at Motability, said:- "This is a fantastic result. I want to thank everyone who took part. Every year we face an increase in demand for grants from people who might otherwise not be able afford a suitable car. The money raised will help many more disabled people get a car and any necessary adaptations they may require. Being mobile makes it so much easier for them to take part in everyday activities that a lot of people take for granted."

SINGING TO THE HEAVENS

LIVERPOOL will be stomping to the stirring sounds of gospel music this weekend as a 3 day festival begins. The gospel extravaganza in Toxteth features soaring voices from groups, rappers and soul singers from as far apart as Africa, Spain, London and Liverpool. 

Pastor Panton Okon, from Liverpool's New Life Centre, is helping to organize the festival alongside other churches in Liverpool. He said:- "Firstly we are praising God Almighty with the powerful unifying tool of music. It promotes racial harmony and tolerance, thereby making our community a more peaceful and conducive society to live in at a time when vicious crimes are still happening far too regularly."

Concerts will take place at St Cleopas Church, Beresford Road, L8 on Friday at 6pm-9pm, Saturday at 10am-1pm and 6pm-9pm and Sunday at 10am-1pm and 6pm-9pm. Everyone is welcome.

Liverpool city council's executive member for culture, Cllr Warren Bradley, said:- "Events like this help create unity between congregations and all people in Liverpool and beyond. It has proved very useful to bring young people into gospel music to bridge cultural divides." 

Groups taking part include:-

· Blessed Cartel (London) - a seven-man group that have been together for one year. They minister through a blend of garage and rap music

· New Soul (London) - Consisting of three individuals who have been together for less than one year and specialize in pop-like soul gospel music.

· Don (London) - A solo artist who has been performing for about 4 years. He is a lyricist who also performs garage and grime music.

· TNLC Levites (Liverpool) - Choir of The New Life Centre which consists of about 11 members that minister in contemporary, traditional and African praise and worship.

· Mick & Vera (Liverpool) - A Christian couple that share their faith in Jesus through powerful contemporary songs that are drawn from personal experiences.

The River Niger Orchestra (Liverpool) - A traditional gospel group that draws from the rich African gospel heritage, bringing together a blend of music that is not only unique but which cuts across ethnic barriers to stimulate joyful dancing. 

Broda Martyns (Africa) - A gospel musician whose brand of Afro-rock music is not only melodious but explosive and thought-provoking.

Global Harvest Choir (Spain) - From Barcelona, Spain which ministers through contemporary praise and worship but a blend of African and Spanish beats.

Methodist Youth Group - A group of three young girls who perform original Acappella songs that come with a blend of R & B and contemporary gospel music.

The Liverpool Culture Company has funded the event through its Creative Communities programme.