Wick community councillors suggest robot school cleaner 'isn't fit for purpose'

Community councillors in Wick are seeking more information about a robot school cleaner that is allegedly not up to the job.

Chairman Allan Farquhar suggested the device "isn't fit for purpose" and said: “We're concerned about the robotic hygiene capability."

The issue cropped up at this week's monthly meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.

Vice-chairman Allan Bruce gave the example of a Tunnock's tea cake being squished on a handrail on one of the school's stairways. "The cleaner before would go round with her bucket and give it a wipe," he said, before suggesting that such a task would be beyond the capabilities of the robot.

One member described it as a "Hoover robot".

Mr Farquhar said: “I don't know what it cost but I'll try to find out.

“I'm a little bit concerned about how it's coping or not coping. We'll get some photographs of it and then see what the school says about it.”

Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner, who represents the Wick and East Caithness ward, pointed out: “At HQ they've got a robot that goes about cleaning and if you open your door it'll go in your office and it'll clean everything, including all the wires and cables hooked up to your computers, and it'll jam itself up and then whistle until somebody comes and rescues it.”

The John O'Groat Journal has put several questions to Highland Council and a response is awaited.

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