Community Payback sessions support The Big Town Centre Clean-Up

Swindon Borough Council has partnered with the Probation Service to organise three Community Payback sessions in the town centre, with the first taking place today (19 August).

Community Payback is a programme that enables people convicted of offences to complete unpaid work that benefits local communities as part of their sentence. During the full-day sessions, groups of up to 10 participants, supervised by the Probation Service, are carrying out environmental improvement tasks, including removing graffiti from council-owned property in the town centre.

The Probation Service operates robust procedures to ensure Community Payback activities are carefully planned, managed and supervised, with the safety of participants and the public remaining a priority at all times.

The town centre sessions build on the Council's existing partnership with the Probation Service, through which Community Payback participants help maintain Whitworth Road Cemetery.

Following the completion of the clean-up activities, the Council and Probation Service will explore opportunities to expand the use of Community Payback projects across Swindon, enabling more people serving community sentences to make a positive contribution to the Borough while helping tackle issues such as graffiti and litter.

Councillor Kevin Parry, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Recycling and Streetscene, said: "Everyone has a role to play in The Big Town Centre Clean-Up and in helping to make a positive difference to our town centre.

"I'm grateful to the Probation Service for working closely with us to establish these Community Payback sessions. They will provide practical support for our clean-up efforts while giving participants the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community."

Councillor Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services, said: "This initiative builds on our successful partnership with the Probation Service, which already sees Community Payback participants making an important contribution to the upkeep of Whitworth Road Cemetery.

"Once these sessions have been completed, we will explore how Community Payback could play a wider role in supporting communities across Swindon and helping to address environmental issues that matter to residents."