Published on:
30
January 2014
The Council's attempts to reduce the problems of litter and dog fouling in Clackmannanshire were discussed by councillors today.
The Enterprise and Environment Committee heard that the Scottish government will launch a National Litter Strategy later this year. This will be an opportunity to harness the publicity associated with a high profile campaign and reinvigorate Clackmannanshire's anti-litter message with national brand and campaign support and to raise awareness of littering, particularly in the known hot-spots, and to re-focus awareness, enforcement and cleansing resources in a co-ordinated way.
Litter is measured and benchmarked using the nationally adopted LEAMS system (Local Environment Audit Management System) to calculate an index of street cleanliness. Recorded incidents of dog fouling are identified and incorporated into LEAMS scoring.
Clackmannanshire's LEAMS score for 2013 was 73, which is slightly below the Scottish average, but still an excellent standard. Cigarette ends in the streets in Alloa and Sauchie town centres are highlighted as a particular problem.
Since the Council introduced litter fines for the first time in 2012, 35 fixed penalty notices have been issued.
Research shows that while the majority of Clackmannanshire's streets are free from dog fouling, it remains an issue of high concern amongst local residents. The level of fouling indicates that it is the result of a small number of irresponsible dog owners.
The Council launched the Dog Watch campaign last May which was designed to educate dog owners, elicit the support of the community and punish offenders where appropriate in a targeted area - initially in Clackmannan, then later in Tillicoultry. Each area was targeted intensely for a period of five weeks, involving high visibility patrols, a significant publicity campaign and community engagement.
The results of the initiative in the Clackmannan area were very positive with significant reductions in the levels of fouling being observed by the end of the five week period. Disappointingly since that time there has been a gradual increase in the levels of fouling, although not returning to the levels experienced before the initiative. It is too early as yet to tell if the initiative has had any lasting effect. A similar level of improvement was also achieved in the Tillicoultry area and again it is too early to tell if there has been any lasting
improvement.
Committee Convenor Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "Further analysis of the
impact of the Dog Watch initiative will now be undertaken. It is unlikely that such a broad and intensive resource could be continued across Clackmannanshire, but sustaining an increased level of enforcement at this stage would be important, particularly as it is clear that the problem is arising from a small number of offenders. Targeting enforcement at those individuals rather than at all dog owners would be more a more effective use of resources."
The Council currently provides free poop scoops to all dog owners at a cost of £6,000 per year. Almost 2 million scoops are now issued per year with the vast majority of dog owners acting responsibly to clean up after their dog.
There are approximately 276 dog waste bins, 256 litter bins and over 20 recently introduced recycling-on-the-go waste bins distributed throughout the county. Dog waste bins are progressively being replaced with dual purpose dog-waste/litter bins and litter bins re-branded as dual purpose dog-waste/litter bins to increase the functionality of the bin provision.