A new regeneration committee is set to be launched at Whitehaven Town Council.

The aim would be for all councillors to have their say about what improvements could be made to the town.

Coun Brian O'Kane said: "We are all acutely aware of Whitehaven as an entity. There are issues we would like to focus on."

"We need to work with other councils and see if we can engender the change we have all agreed is vital to the area. It's so important that everyone on the council should be supporting it."

At a town council meeting last Thursday, all councillors agreed to meet at a later date and appoint a chairperson for the committee.

Councillors also named numerous areas around the town they feel need to be cleaned.

The areas of most concern included: Castle Park, Duke Street, King Street, Market Place, Strand Street, Catherine Street, Kells Brows, Kie Park.

Coun Graham Roberts raised concerns about plastic bags on Duke Street and Strand Street being torn, either by people or seagulls.

Coun Gavin McKew described Castle Park as a "disgrace" saying there are litter problems and people drink there. 

He added there is a problem with chewing gum stuck on the pavements on Duke Street, although he claimed that "Copeland does as much as it can" to tackle this.

Coun Jayne Laine highlighted Castle Park saying it has become "a hang out". 

She suggested that as Whitehaven has a night-time economy, street cleaners should be employed to work at night also, to keep the streets clean.

Coun Raymond Gill highlighted two areas of concern, claiming that the brows at the bottom of Kells are "full of needles" and that Kie Park has "already been vandalised".

A working party is set to be formed between the town council, Copeland Council and Cumbria County Council to tackle the issues. 

In a "positive attempt to counter street litter," Coun Roberts has suggested introducing seagull proof refuse covers.

He said the bin bags that Whitehaven businesses currently use can be easily torn by seagulls and other vermin.

He suggested the businesses could use refuse covers costing £2.64 each. These are canvas bag which holds numerous regular refuse sacks. 

Discussions took place about who should buy the bags, whether it is the town council for businesses, or the town council to then sell on, at cost price, to businesses.

Councillors agreed to defer further discussions to a future meeting.

Anyone who would like to raise concerns about grot spots in Whitehaven, or other issues, are invited to contact the town council.

The office is based in Room 3 of Whitehaven Civic Hall, Lowther Street.

Residents can also contact town council clerk, Les Abrahams, on 01946 67366 or via email at: clerk@whitehaventowncouncil.co.uk