COMPLAINTS over street cleaning services are to be addressed at an upcoming meeting.

Darlington Borough Council’s reduced Street Scene services will be discussed at the next meeting of the authority’s Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

A councillor has asked the committee to address escalating complaints about Street Scene and incorporate the issue into their work programme.

As a result of swingeing council cuts, environmental services – including Street Scene – have had their budgets slashed in recent months and now operate at a significantly reduced level.

Changes include grass cutting services that once operated on a 10-15 day cycle now operating on a 25-30 day cycle.

There have also been cuts to pavement sweeping, litter and dog bin servicing, street orderlies and response teams.

Since the cuts were implemented, Darlington residents have raised a number of concerns about the deteriorating appearance of the town.

Following the request from a committee member, councillors will discuss the issue at the next meeting of the Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

The meeting will take place from 9.30am on Thursday, August 31 in committee room 2 at the Town Hall. Members of the public can attend.