Inverness team love giving the city its sparkle
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WHAT Mick Haymer needs and looks for in members of Highland Council’s city centre street cleaning team is dedication, a work ethic, knowledge, trustworthiness and a good way with people.
It is a measure of success, then, that recruitment is a rare event.
Among the team of four currently keeping the heart of Inverness sparkling clean, two have over a decade’s service each while two younger staff can count 11 years between them.
Mr Haymer, Highland Council’s waste management officer for Inverness, admits the already vital role in sweeping and servicing streets with the city’s greatest footfall has taken on even greater importance amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
With shifts from 6am until evening on weekdays, and until 5pm and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, the team’s heroic efforts stretch from Morrisons in Millburn Road, to Stephen’s Brae, Cavell Gardens, and across to Huntly Street.
Often, in the public’s eye, these are just litter-pickers. But that could hardly be further from the truth.
“They deal with all kinds of waste and hazardous material, some of it unsavoury, after the night-time economy has been in full swing,” Mr Haymer said. “There’s chewing gum removal, power-washing, graffiti and safe removal of any ‘sharps’ found.
“They are also constantly in touch with the public. In that respect, they are ambassadors for the town itself.
“It is just about keeping everything as clean and hygienic as possible. The boys have to show even more care in current times for their and the public’s safety.”
In among lost bank cards, mobile phones, purses, clothing, keys and spectacles, there can be significant valuables. Mr Haymer added: “They recently helped a lady who lost a charm bracelet down a drain and another who deposited a large wad of cash in a recycle bin. You name it, these lads have seen it.”
