BOROUGH environment boss Jim Smith has promised to finally appear before Darwen Town Council to explain the new strategy to tackle dog fouling, litter and vandalism in July.

Sudell councillors Paul Browne and Roy Davies have been asking him to attend a meeting since February.

They had hoped Cllr Smith would attend Tuesday’s meeting but he declined because of pre-General election Purdah, promising instead to attend in July.

The two Liberal Democrats said they were ‘disappointed’ but looked forward to a full update on the use of hidden cameras to tackle vandals and the employment of a private firm to catch and fine dog foulers and litter louts.

They will now write Cllr Smith calling for a firm pledge he will attend.

The invitation was first issued after February’s town council meeting when Cllrs Browne and Davies highlighted Darwen’s ‘grot spots’.

Cllr Smith then revealed he was employing private contractors to catch and identify owners of dogs fouling streets and was looking at new ways to reduce vandalism of play equipment.

Cllr Davies, now town council mayor, said: “I am disappointed he is not coming.

“We have real problems with dog fouling, which is everywhere in Darwen, as is litter and petty vandalism.

“I shall be emailing him an official invitation as we want to know exactly what is being done.

“There is dog fouling all over Sudell which makes me embarrassed to be a dog owner.

“We’ve had real problems with this, litter and petty vandalism at Olive Lane and Bold Venture Parks.”

Cllr Browne said: “Dog fouling is happening everywhere in the town and is simply disgusting.

“There are real problems in Sudell and Earcroft with ‘hot spots’ in Preston Street and the back of Snape Street.

“I am disappointed is not coming next week and will write to him personally.

Cllr Smith said: “I cannot attend next week as it is pre-election ‘Purdah’ but we have four borough staff on clean up in the town now. The contract for tackling dog fouling is out to tender. I will attend July’s town council meeting to give a full update.”

Marsh House Tory councillor Neil Slater has previously welcomed the decision to use a private contractor to tackle dog fouling.

Cllr Smith added: “I think Cllrs Browne and Davies are trying to make political points.”