After launching earlier this year, ACORN Armley immediately got stuck in on their Clean Up Armley campaign, calling on Leeds City Council to take action on litter and fly-tipping in Armley.
Having identified litter and fly-tipping as a key issue through hours of door knocking, street stalls, and outreach, ACORN Armley members got to work to build their union and win their campaign.
Having been ignored by their target, Mohammed Rafique (Executive Member for Housing and Environment), Armley members decided to surprise Rafique by taking a life-size cardboard skip along to his councillor surgery! They also used the opportunity to gain signatures for their petition from his constituents and talk to local people about the union.
Off the back of this action, ACORN Armley secured a negotiation with Rafique, to discuss our demands. Clearly all their hard work paid off as they won five major commitments for action on litter and fly-tipping in Armley:
1. Regular area-wide cleanup days
2. Significant expansion of glass and recycling points at hotspots identified by ACORN Armley
3. More public bins at areas identified by ACORN members
4. ACORN involvement in improving bin storage areas and flower planters
5. Commitment to change fly-tipping and collection spots to areas identified by ACORN Armley members
This incredible win just goes to show all that can be won with hard work and collective direct action! ACORN Armley can’t wait to continue fighting and winning for the community.