Keeping the towpath clean and tidy

[MCC Executive Committee]

Following Peters submissions on the 26th. and 27th. I thought it would be a good idea to look at SMBC's own site and services concerning the Dog Warden Service, and what they do.
It is an Environvental Health Service, the information shown is very comprehensive, there is an "on line" complaint form concerning dog fouling and there are details of the process concerning witnesses to dog fouling (the poor old beast is guilty even it's running loose).
Interested readers need to go to the Councils web site at
www.stockport.gov.uk and search for "Dog Warden Service" and simply follow the links.
So Peter if you want to know "what to do" I suggest you have a look at the Dog Warden site, all dog owners should look here also to find out what they might be liable for, the penalty for dogfouling are stated within a range of £50 (fixed penalty) up to £1000.
Anyone can ring them on 01614744207, dog fouling is covered by the Dog(Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
Hope this helps you Peter, but you have written to the Dog Warden service anyway so no doubt they will be following up the matter.
 

Who is the elected representative, goodness me, I wish I had seen it.

Cameras at the ready on Lockside

[MCC Executive Committee]

Hello Peter,
The dog warden should explain the procedure to you better than I.
(The canal towpath is owned by British Waterways of course.)
I may be wrong, (out of date with procedure?), but the dog warden may wish to take a statement from you, which will then be processed, it may involve you then going to a magistrates court to act as a witness against the dog owner to reach a prosecution !!
I am assuming the same bye law is in force along our canals as is in force on our public footpaths.
Let us know what the dog warden advises.
Unfortunately I am not the fountain of knowledge on every subject !!
Thats the best I can do, okay.

Adrian Taylor.

 

[Peter]

Well actually Adrian, no, what do I do?
That is why I have contacted the Dog Warden, maybe you can help. What exactly do I do?

[MCC Executive Committee]

Well, what can one say?
We all assume you know what to do Peter?
We would be interested to read how you get on, the penalty is quite clear, it's all down to you Peter.
As always, you can't blame the dog, we must EDUCATE dog owners ("EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION")to be more socially aware and abide by the law.
     

[Peter]

As a dog owner who always scoops my dogs 'poop' and as someone who tries to practice what I preach generally, I found it very disconcerting today to watch helplessly the scene from my kitchen window. A STOCKPORT COUNCILLOR whom I know quite well stood alongside her dog (it was still on the lead) while it deficated on the canal towpath with absolutely no intention of picking up it's mess. I unfortunately stood no chance of calling to her before she had marched off.
I believe that there is a £1000 fine for the rest of us who are caught partaking in this anti-social act.
I have contacted the dog warden asking for his assistance, but would value other peoples suggestions (keep them clean) as to how we report such occurences.

Incidentally, while we are on the subject, congratulations to SMBC for vastly improving the availability of 'poo bags' for those of us that actually use them!

It would appear that some people have wrongly assumed that the councillor described in this posting is Marple's Shan Alexander. This is not correct. Peter clearly and deliberately stated that it was a STOCKPORT Councillor, not Marple, and it is regrettable if anyone has incorrectly jumped to this conclusion.
Mark Whittaker 15/1/2004

[MCC Executive Committee]

We're all sorry that Paul has left, but the real point is that the work should continue here and elsewhere, good luck to the new man, he will be offered the same friendlieness that Paul received.
Just in the event that our elected representatives may read this particular section, we would say "support the ending of the pilot study, and make the service permanent, residents want this to happen".
We will write a letter accordingly, these are the services that residents really do want to see.
Good luck to Paul, he did a good job, welcome to Michael Williams, and thank you Mark Cotterill for letting us know.
 Â '>    '>

[alan@marple]

Mark,

Thank you for keeping us informed, we shall miss Paul, but no doubt our new man will keep up the good work, I shall keep an eye out for him

Dear All,

I'm writing to inform you all, that unfortunately Paul Lomax the chap recruited to clean the centre of Marple has left our employment. He was lured by the prospect of a full time job, which unfortunately we were unable to offer him due the scheme being a pilot project. However we have managed to replace him and, his name is Micheal Williams. He is new to the business and unfamiliar with Marple, however I hope over the next few weeks he will be as popular as Paul was.

I expect things to go well, however if you have any queries regarding the level of service received do not hesitate to contact me.

Mark Cotterill
Group Manager
Streetscene

Tel no 0800 068 4996
email mark.cotterill@stockport.gov.uk

[Belly]

Actually Peter, thats not a bad idea about the leaves and the mothers!

Whilst they are putting all the leaves in sacks they may also mistakenly pick up some of the sweet wrappers their little darlings stuff into my hedge on a regular basis!    

Glad to see my liberal transport policies are getting noticed...  
 

What a difference Paul has made since he came to Marple.

He is doing a grand job and I shall let him know my appreciation inside my Christmas card to him

[MCC Executive Committee]

Fulfilling an obligation to Paul:
Had a good chat with him the other day, even polished one of his bins.
He's enjoying working in Marple, and told him that we would like him to stay doing his work.
Has anyone noticed the small mechanised road sweeper that has been buzzing around Marple- this is welcome also.
 '>  '>  '>  
This warrants three smiles

[Peter]

Had a quick chat with Paul yesterday, he seems a nice chap although a little fed up with the endless leaf drop, just as he brushes it up, there they are again.
Perhaps having heard BELLY'S extremely liberal solutions to Marple's road problems he could suggest a way of keeping the leaves on the trees!!! Or perhaps all the mothers that he has freed from the school run could catch the leaves as they fall???

[MCC Executive Committee]

And what about a "thank you" to Allan for for initiating the discussion.
Thanks also to Mr. Cotterill for taking the trouble to respond.
Streetscene is a good service area of the Council, wish they could be given more resources.
Please let them know your concerns about roads, footpaths, litter etc. in Marple.
Lets hope "Paul" or whoever stays in Marple.
Our understanding is that the service is a pilot, and may be expanded across the Borough as well as staying in Marple centre, well lets hope so.
We used to have this kind of service in Marple and elsewhere years ago, so it is a welcome return to good basic services.
Lets hope Paul is made welcome in Marple so he becomes part of our community, why not give him a cup of tea now and again !
 Â 

[alan@marple]

Thank you Mr Cotterill   and Paul