New guidance for councils on cleaning public spaces

Councils and other bodies which manage public land have a statutory duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to keep land clear of litter and refuse and certain roads clean.

The updated guidance sets out how different types of land should be kept clean and circumstances in which it may not be practicable – and therefore not required under the law – to do so.

From the outset, the guidance places the emphasis on the consistent and appropriate management of an area to keep it clean rather than how often it is cleaned.

The document also encourages duty holders to adopt appropriate monitoring systems, suggesting this will help land managers to identify the sources of issues and address or pre-empt them.

While the updated guidance is currently in draft form, it is expected to be confirmed as statutory guidance on 6 April 2026 once on the other side of Parliamentary procedure.