Councillor cries foul over app

Howard Sykes

AN OLDHAM councillor is kicking up a stink in his efforts to bring PooWatch to the borough.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes, has been impressed by a scheme in Worcester that allows residents to use a web app to report dog fouling.

Since its launch in November 2015, the scheme has been declared a success, convincing Councillor Sykes that it's a model that Oldham Council should introduce to help tackle dog fouling.

Councillor Sykes said: "I first wrote to Helen Lockwood, executive director of co-operatives and neighbourhoods, and Carol Brown, director of environmental services, in January of this year asking them to contact Worcester council officers about the scheme.

"Twelve months on PooWatch has proven its value in helping tackle anti-social behaviour of irresponsible owners who do not clear up after their dog.

"PooWatch is a new free app for smartphones, tablets and personal computers. I think this technology could be of great use in helping Oldham Council tackle this blight."

Through the PooWatch app, residents can record any dog litter they spot in the city. The information they provide helps identify dog litter hotspots so action can be targeted in areas of greatest need.

The Worcester News has reported that the app had 135 regular users and recorded 3,500 reports in the first six months. Eleven hotspots around the city were given temporary poo bag dispensers.

Overwhelmed

Worcester City Council has reported that PooWatch has "attracted much positive media attention and (they have) been overwhelmed with reports of dog fouling left on the city's streets".

Councillor Sykes added: "PooWatch empowers the public to be the council's eyes and ears in the community. Using a smart phone they report incidents in real time to enable prompt action to be taken against irresponsible dog owners and to contribute to a more co-operative and a cleaner borough.

"Dog fouling is one of those issues that my ward councillors and I are constantly asked about. Now PooWatch has demonstrated its value in tackling the blight of dog fouling isn't it now time for council officers to introduce it?"

The web app - which is free to access - uses GPS locaters to provide a simple and easy way for people to report dog mess and will help create an interactive map of the city showing the worst affected areas. It also shows the nearest bin to the location of the person accessing the app.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Over the last year Oldham Council has been involved in a number of projects designed to encourage people to love where they live and clear up after themselves.

"As part of these initiatives we've engaged with Councillor Sykes, fellow members and residents. A good example are the no dog-fouling signs school children designed for High Crompton Park.

"Technology is part - but not all of the solution and we are looking at how our technical systems can be adapted to provide a similar offer. Dog fouling is unsightly, unhealthy and thankfully has become socially much less acceptable in recent times.

"If you don't clear up after your dog then you could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80. If you don't pay then you could be fined up to £1,000."