Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Council plans to increase its Blitz cleaning team from six to 12 members. The expansion will create four teams of three. Recruitment for the additional staff is underway, with new members expected by June.

Head of Environmental Services Lisa Doherty presented details to the council's environmental services committee on Tuesday night. She outlined how the growth will extend the team's current achievements. Business Manager Martin Toye joined the presentation.

The team has operated for a full year, completing 137 deployments across 305 working days. Most activity, 61 percent, involved power-washing. Other tasks included litter-picking, grounds maintenance, traffic management and event servicing. Deployments totalled 143 days in the former Craigavon area, 100 in Armagh and 63 in Banbridge.

Council employs 14 street sweepers, 17 staff and 13 town wardens for related duties such as street-sweeping, litter-picking and bin emptying.

Doherty noted partnership efforts with the Department for Infrastructure, including joint work on road closures. The council is reviewing its street cleansing service to adjust collection frequencies, rotas and equipment use based on town sizes.

New tools include a planning database for tracking activities up to two months ahead, with photos and performance data on task types and locations. Councillors will consult on sharing this information via app, email or requests.

Committee chair Sarah Duffy welcomed the expansion. Councillor Mary O’Dowd said it will aid the entire borough and councillors. TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe called the team a success in areas like Cusher. Alderman Paul Greenfield, Independent Unionist Alderman Paul Berry, Alliance Councillor Robbie Alexander and DUP Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath also praised the work.