Perth and Kinross Council Urged to Develop an App
By Kathryn Anderson
There have been repeated calls for Perth and Kinross Council to develop an app over the past few years. Councillor Tom McEwan made the appeal at a recent meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee, which he convenes. He highlighted that with the majority of people owning smartphones, having an app would facilitate easier and more efficient engagement with the council. The SNP Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor reiterated the suggestion as the committee discussed the newly revised Perth and Kinross Tenant Participation Strategy 2024-27.
Cllr McEwan emphasised the importance of removing barriers to engagement and expressed his belief that developing apps for phones could enhance public interaction with the council. He mentioned the potential benefits for the wider council and Housing service, citing the convenience of quick surveys and questions through an app compared to traditional methods involving paperwork and logging into computers. The councillor stressed the need for innovation in this area and anticipated ideas from council officers in the future.
This call for an app is not new, as over five years ago in February 2019, former councillor Callum Purves also advocated for the development of an app. He argued that such an app would simplify the reporting process for constituents regarding issues like potholes, fly-tipping, and missed bin collections, ultimately saving the council money on administrative costs. Purves highlighted the ease of use an app would provide for residents to swiftly report problems and for the council to promptly address them.
The potential benefits of a council app are evident, with the ability to streamline communication, enhance public participation, and improve efficiency in addressing local issues. As technology continues to play a significant role in daily life, embracing digital solutions like mobile apps can undoubtedly enhance the relationship between councils and the communities they serve.
As discussions around developing an app for Perth and Kinross Council continue, the focus remains on leveraging technology to foster greater engagement, transparency, and accessibility in local governance. Residents eagerly await the implementation of such a platform that promises to revolutionise how they interact with and contribute to their local council.