How Good Is Our Service - August 2022

Monthly Performance Report

On this page you will find information on:

• Assets and Facilities
• Customer and Business Support Services
• East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust
• Education
• Finance & Audit
• Health and Social Care Partnership
• Housing
• Land Planning and Development
• Legal and Democratic Services
• Neighbourhood Services
• Organisational Transformation
• Place and Community Planning
• Roads and Environment

Assets and Facilities

Overview of Progress

Property Maintenance

Voids performance has increased in August to 94% from 93% in July exceeding our overall target of 85%. We continue to look at ways of maintaining and enhancing performance in this area going forward.

Property Maintenance have achieved our target of 100% for Gas Servicing in August with 364 properties serviced in the month. We continue to consistently achieve our target and we are confident of maintaining this throughout the year.

Reactive repairs are ongoing and we continue to perform well in dealing with emergency and non-emergency repairs. The Care & Repair service continues to be well received with Aids & Adaptation works ongoing and progressing well across the stock.

The Smoke & Heat alarm installation programme has reached its conclusion and we have achieved our plan of visiting all properties across the estate in line with Government targets with 93% of properties now fitted with Smoke & Heat alarms. The remaining properties have been no accesses; and a further access arrangement letter has been issued to these tenants with appointments scheduled over the coming weeks. We continue to carry out the installation of Smoke & Heat alarms for residents in East Dunbartonshire eligible through our Care & Repair service and this is being well received. We are also referring residents who do not meet the criteria to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service where they can request a Home Fire Safety visit to determine whether SFRS can provide them with assistance.

Kitchen, Bathroom, Heating and Roofing upgrade programmes are ongoing and progress continues in carrying out reactive and refurbishment works across the education and non-housing stock with decoration works ongoing in the school estate.

Facilities Management

The rollout of the new FM structure continues with significant progression and employee displaced meetings are ongoing. Recruitment of all vacant positions commenced in July and is on-going, however there has been reduced interest in various positions and a recruitment open day is being progressed, scheduled for September.

All FM Lead and Catering Co-ordinator positions are filled. Staff training was delivered in August and further training is scheduled throughout the year.

New regulations on Single-Use Plastics came into force on 1st June. The service has sourced alternative products to meet the new legislative requirements.

Covid continues to impact on the uptake of school meals, income levels, resources and product availability. A return to the full lunch menu offering was implemented in August at the start of the new term and it is anticipated this will further improve the uptake of school meals.

The uptake of free school meals has improved over previous months, however the reduced menu impacted on the overall uptake of school meals, which remains lower than pre-pandemic levels. Our focus remains on improving the uptake in the lower performing schools. Significant work was undertaken to ensure the lunch menu complies with the revised Nutritional regulations and we continue to work with suppliers to source alternative food products, ensuring the menu complies with the revised regulations and meets all nutritional standards.

The service is working with the Soil Association to meet the criteria to achieve their Food for Life Bronze Award, which involves delivering nutritional school meals, meeting set percentages in respect of locally sourced produce and preparing meals fresh rather than by other means.

Estates

There are 73 Operational Assets which require an annual Gas Safety Check. For the month of August, 2 properties required an annual Gas Safety Check. The assets were serviced prior to the anniversary date. With robust measures in place to monitor performance, we are confident that all safety checks will be completed throughout the year. 

Officers continue to progress reactive repairs across the Education and Operational Estate on a daily basis with over 150-200 repairs processed on average every month through Property Maintenance or our external contractors.

The Quality Assurance service continue to inspect the cleaning standards across the Educational Estate, with over 40 assets inspected and reports produced monthly.

Estates Management continue to market vacant premises within the non-operational estate, with two vacant properties let to local companies during the month of August. Discussions are ongoing with colleagues in the HSCP/NHS to support a need for premises to deliver services from in Milngavie. At present the non-operational estate is over 94% occupied. Offers received at the closing date for the lease of the new Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex are currently being reviewed. Officers are also working with the Antermony Development Trust to conclude the formal Community Asset Transfer of Antermony Loch in early course.

Officers continue to progress the current active disposals with colleagues in Legal Services to ensure that capital receipts are delivered and ongoing liabilities ie. rates, utilities, security etc are reduced.

Development & Investment

Handover of Phase 1 at Boclair Academy, Bearsden was successfully reached at the end of July, with staff and pupils returning for the new school term in August to the new secondary school building.  Phase 1 of the project involved the building itself, immediate surrounds and an all-weather sports pitch.  Phase 2 of the project, which involves the demolition of the original building and the development of car parking, wider external spaces and an additional sports pitch is now underway and will be due for completion in early June 2023.

Other projects under construction, including the Allander Leisure Centre, ASN Kirkintilloch and Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. All continue to progress well, as are new affordable housing projects at the Loaning, Lenzie and Kerr St, Kirkintilloch. Capital works across the Council’s existing Affordable Housing stock, including kitchen and bathroom replacement, roof replacement, External Wall Insulation projects and central heating replacement all remain in progress.

During the summer holiday period a wide variety of projects were undertaken across the school estate which have improved condition and suitability of the estate. Over the next reporting period works are due to commence with the refurbishment of Brookwood Villa and development of all-weather sports pitches at Holy Family and Killermont Primary Schools.

A contractor and design team have been appointed to lead the development of proposals for each of the two lots which comprise the Council’s next Affordable Housing Investment Programme, involving up to 11 sites and which aims to further increase the supply of affordable housing in East Dunbartonshire over the next 5 years. Site surveys are now underway and revised development proposals for each site will be progressed in early course. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Achieved 100% compliance for Gas Servicing with focus on this continuing going forward.
• Continued positive level of performance in void turnaround times with 94% of properties completed within our target timescales.
• Kitchen, Bathroom, Central Heating and Roofing upgrade programmes ongoing with positive feedback being received from tenants across all contracts.
• Continue to monitor and improve processes within Voids to ensure turnaround times exceed our performance target.
• Assess and improve functionality of Total Mobile and the integration with Servitor to enable a more streamlined and efficient service.
• Improve communications with customers and stakeholders to ensure the highest level of service delivery.
• Continue to utilise robust reporting mechanisms for enhanced performance and service delivery.
• Continue to carry out the installation of Smoke & Heat alarms for tenants and residents in East Dunbartonshire.
• Progress decoration works across school estate.
• 100% of Operational Assets requiring a Gas Safety check within the year’s anniversary of the previous check are completed.
• Schedule in the upcoming Gas Safety Checks, which are required over September (7 properties) and October (1 property) with contractors.
• Continued progress in the delivery of capital works in the Council’s existing Affordable Housing estate, including kitchen/bathroom replacement.
• Finalise contractual agreements for the refurbishment of Brookwood Villa.
• Improve uptake of nutritious school meals.
• Improve communications with customers and stakeholders to ensure the highest level of service delivery.
• Reduce FM overtime.
• Progress with recruitment exercise to fill identified vacant FM positions.

Customer & Business Support Services

Overview of Progress

Communications & Engagement

The focus for the Communications & Engagement team in August included supporting the opening of the new Boclair Academy at the start of the new academic year, promoting the Provost’s first charity fundraiser – the Glasgow Shine Walk for Cancer Research, supporting the Early Years consultation, and celebrating great news on improving Air Quality in Bearsden. A total of 34 media enquiries were responded to (up from the previous month). Also up significantly, 19 media releases were issued (all available on the news section) generating coverage in local and national media with an equivalent advertising value of just over £7k. Social media posts continued to generate good interaction across a range of themes and social media audiences continue to grow across all channels with 21.3k followers on Facebook with a monthly reach of 2.1 million (significantly up on the previous month)  and 19.7k on Twitter with a monthly reach of 3.5 million. Most popular posts across both channels were in relation to the opening of the new Boclair Academy. 

Corporate Performance

In August 2022, the Corporate Performance and Research team have continued to fulfil required duties in relation to reporting of performance and provision of service level data returns within agreed timescales. Work continues to update the Operational and Corporate Risk Registers, with an update on the Corporate Risk Register being provided to Council later this year with a further review of Corporate Risks in light of the Cost of Living Crisis due to be reported to a future meeting.

Customer Services

The Customer Services team continued to deliver customer services in August across all channels. Call response times were near to target as a result of concerted efforts by the team and new recruits now trained on call handling. A total of 129 Young Person’s National Entitlement Card applications were processed following roadshows in Auchinairn, Hillhead and Milngavie this month, and in Community Hubs there were a total of 377 appointments and 915 drop-in cases were also seen. A total of 142 direct messages through social media were received and actioned (108 Facebook, 35 Twitter), down slightly on the previous month. A total of 156 direct messages were sent (141 on Facebook, 15 Twitter) again, slightly down on the previous month.

Revenue & Benefits

The Revenues and Benefits Team have continued to process Council Tax and Benefits services and administration of the Scottish Welfare fund. The team continue to support other teams including the Ukranian Refugee Support Team and Shared Services Education. The team continue to support Shared Services in the administration of the School Clothing Grant. The team are also testing the new online Council Tax System which will go live later this year to provide secure access by residents to their Council Tax information.

ICT Services

The ICT Services team continue to support the Council’s information technology systems and services to ensure high availability and performance in line with agreed service levels. The return of schools in August saw an increase in the number of calls closed with 2800 service requests August. ICT continue to support the migration of services to Microsoft 365 in partnership with the Business and Digital Change Team. The ICT Team completed the installation of ICT equipment at the new Boclair Academy and the network upgrade at Bearsden Academy. The Security Team submitted the paperwork for PSN accreditation for the Council, which is required to access Government systems such as DWP.

Shared Services

The Shared Services team continue to provide support across all Council services. The Education team completed the processing for Free School Meal and School Clothing Grant applications for pupils under 16. The Letting team oversaw the return of lets at the start of the academic year. The Transport team completed the allocation of transport for Social Work clients for the start of the new year on August 1st.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Communications & Engagement

• Launch of Early Years and Out of School Care consultation including design, creating a survey, updating the website, social media and a press release.
• Launched both the Corporate and Provost Instagram accounts.
• Delivered communications plan for the new Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey Service (event organisation, photocall, social media and generating press coverage).
• Design of two new documents – Host Support Plan and Housing Options.
• Creation of two key web forms – Thank you payment for hosts and Permission to reside for property owners and Council tenants - for Ukrainians and their hosts.
• Delivered communications for opening of the new Boclair Academy (co-ordinating photocalls, social media, a ‘sneak peek’ video
• Organising the official Boclair Academy opening in October.
• Promotion of Council support for key dates and initiatives including Exam Results Day, Overdose Awareness Day and Doors Open Day.

Corporate Performance

• The operational and Corporate risk registers have been refreshed and are due to be formally reported to Council and Audit and Risk Committee in Quarter 3 of 2022.
• The performance pages of the website have now been updated to include all monthly HGIOS reports to date including an infographic summary of key monthly Performance Indicators.
• Formal submission of the Council’s LGBF indicator return covering 21/22 was made to the Improvement Service on the 31st August.
• The Annual East Dunbartonshire Area profile was completed and is due for publication on the Council website in September 2022.
• The team is supporting ongoing project work with the change team in relation to the reporting and analysis of data held on council systems.
• A reconciliation exercise was undertaken ensuring the accuracy of data held on the Carefirst and CM2000 systems

Customer Services

• Continued focus on further recruitment to vacancies and training of new agents on customer service delivery across all channels.
• Continuing to deliver Registration Services, managing sustained increase in marriage paperwork registrations after the longstanding pandemic restrictions.

Revenues and Benefits

• The team supported Shared Services by checking the benefit status of over 1000 applicants for School Clothing Grants.
• The team issued and dealt with the queries on over 2600 Council Tax bills, 1200 reminders, 800 summary warrants and 2200 benefits notifications. Over 260 Non Domestic Rates bills were also issued.
• The team dealt with over 3000 telephone enquiries in August.
• Continue to administer the revised Self Isolation Support Grant applications and payments.

ICT Services

• All ICT equipment installed and configured in time for the new Boclair Academy opening
• Supported the Business and Digital Change Team in the upgrade of Uniform System to the latest database version
• Completed Test Servers for an Oracle Database upgrade for various service areas including Revenues & Benefits and Planning.
• Completed the PSN security accreditation process for 2022/23 and submitted it to the Cabinet Office.

Shared Services

• Annual letting for 2022/23 was finalised prior to the start of the new school term. 
• The Council Booking system for halls and schools was reopened to the public for the first time since March 2020 following completing of annual letting.
• All probationer and permanent supply teacher ID badges were produced and delivered to schools in time for the new school term.
• 114 Education Maintenance Applications received for processing.
• 72 Purchase Orders raised for Taxi Contracts for children/ adults with additional support needs
• 27 Direct Payment Audits completed for clients receiving self-directed support.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust 

Overview of Progress

Leisure Centres

Total centre usage continued on a positive trend. Period 5 performance improved over Period 4 with a 13.7% increase in footfall, despite continuing good weather and the summer holiday period.
Dryside: 33,760
Wetside: 31,036

Libraries

For period 5 there were 22,106 visits in person and digital usage was 41,133. This represents 97% of overall target. Digital usage continues to be strong and is consistently above target. While visits in person continues to be slow, there is an overall upward trend, with a 5% increase in footfall in P5 compared with P4. 

Target: 65,443
Actual: 63,239

                        Actual             Target             Actual as %age of target

Physical          22,106            25,911                        85%                                       

Digital             41,133            39,532                        104%                         

Total              63,239             65,443                        97% of target

Museums

For period 5, there were 1,370 visits in person and digital usage was 1,933. This represents 111% of target for the period. Visits in person increased by 19% compared with P4. This can be attributed to a sharp rise in visits to the Auld Kirk Museum from 305 in P4 to 640 in P5.    Digital usage is showing a downward trend each period, while visits in person is increasing each period. 

Target: 2965

Actual: 3303

                       Actual             Target             Actual as %age of target

Physical         1370                 720                 190%

Digital            1933                 2245                86%

Total              3303                 2965               111% of target

 

Sports Development

Following the end of the Summer Holiday Programme, the focus for Sports Development was on the return to term time classes with many children moving from pre-school to primary school aged classes this month. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Sports Development

• All sports were involved in moving children up from pre-school classes as they began primary school this month.
• Gymnastics classes recommenced at Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre this month resulting in an increase in memberships along with some children moving back to Kirkintilloch from the Leisuredrome where they attended on a temporary basis.
• There was an increase of 213 sports development members in August compared to June with new members still joining as the main focus is to fill vacant spaces across all sites.
• Recruitment continues to be a key priority with many coaches awaiting their university timetables which could result in a loss of coaches next month.

Cultural Services

• The service ran the Summer Reading Challenge, for children and young people, over the school summer holidays. Initial returns suggest an 85% participation compared to pre-covid rates.

New Allander Leisure Centre
The New Allander Leisure Centre is progressing well with dates agreed between the contractor and EDC to hand over phase one around mid-November.

EDLCT Digital Strategy- The EDLC Board approved the Digital Strategy.

Education

Overview of Progress

School Planning and Improvement Team

• The new Boclair Academy opened at the beginning of the new session, welcoming 1031 young people and staff. The new building has been greatly received by staff, pupils and parents/carers. The next phase of the project is well underway with the demolition of the old school building, with associated landscaping to follow.  
• Installation of the modular classrooms from Killermont to Clober Primary was complete and opened for the first day of session for the children.
• Stakeholders from Bearsden Primary and Milngavie Primary joined contractors, architects, the project manager and representatives from the School Planning and Improvement Team and Education Service to participate in a Space Strategies event. The purpose of this event was to build a high level strategic design brief for the refurbishment of Bearsden and Milngavie Primary Schools. This event was highly evaluated by all participants and informed planning for stakeholder consultation with pupils, staff and parent council members across both schools. Additional workshops have taken place between the schools and contractor.
• The new ASN school continues to progress well. Consultation took place with all stakeholders of Campsie View School, Merkland School and the new ASN School for the naming. Results to be announced by the end of September 2022.

Early Years and Supporting Families

• The Early Years and Out of School Care Consultation was launched on 17th August. The purpose of the consultation is to help the Council gather the views of parents and carers regarding Early Learning and Childcare and Out of School Care Services. The views of both staff and parents/ carers was also sought through a range of focus groups. The outcome of the surveys and focus group discussions will support strategic planning and continuous improvement for Early Years and Out of School Care.
• The European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Conference took place in August. As part of this event, the Council hosted a group of international visitors from Japan and Brazil to showcase the early learning and childcare work of the Council as well as providing opportunity to visit one of the new Early Years Centres (Lairdsland EYC) to view play based pedagogy in action and share practice. Feedback was very positive and the visitors welcomed the opportunity to discuss theory and practice within the Scottish and Council context.
• Merkland Playscheme continued to operate until Friday, 5th August, providing holiday childcare for children attending Merkland School and children who have additional support needs attending schools across the council. 70 children were offered a place. 
• Snack and Play Provision was in operation until Friday 12th August across 6 hubs. The criteria for this service was families who are low income.  329 children were offered a place.
• Requests for assistance for parenting advice and support from the Supporting Families Service has remained steady over the remainder of the summer period. 41 parents have been supported through 1 to 1 interventions throughout August 2022. 5 new requests have been submitted mainly through self -referrals. In addition, 7 parents/carers have commenced a Fear-Less Triple P group to build parental confidence in managing anxiety in their children. In the first few weeks, feedback from parents has been positive including reports that communication is improved leading to a calmer home environment.

Primary, Secondary and ASN Schools

• The Quality Improvement Team visited all primary schools to give feedback on Standards and Quality Reports and School Improvement Plans. An overview of improvement priorities for each school was shared with all schools to support collaboration for improvement.
• Analysis of School Improvement Plans demonstrates that almost all schools have identified priorities that focus on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people, and on raising attainment, with a particular focus on narrowing the poverty-related attainment gap.
• Work across the secondary sector focused on analysis of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) attainment data in the senior phase, S4-S6. The results analysis tool has been designed to support Senior Leadership Teams, Curriculum Principal Teachers, Guidance Teams and other staff to analyse data across key themes. These include but are not limited to: headlines and trends, attainment gap factors, pupil results and average grade by subject based on attendance.
• 51 Secondary probationers and 61 Primary probationers  have been allocated a school supporter and have begun their General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) profile and started the local authority professional learning programme.
• All Probationers have participated in two Professional Learning Sessions provided by the Local Authority.
• 12 senior leaders from across Early Years, Primary, Secondary, ASN and the Quality Improvement Team have welcomed the opportunity to participate in Leadership Coaching programmes, in partnership with the Regional Improvement Collaborative.
• Modern Languages 1+2 programme of Career-Long Professional Learning launched in partnership with Glasgow City Council.
• All schools have been given the opportunity to bid for funding to take forward promotion and development of the 1+2 Languages Policy. Schools have been advised that funding could be used to support improvement planning in relation to languages learning alongside approaches to digital learning. All submissions will be scrutinised prior to allocation of funding.
• All schools have been invited to submit bids to the Confucius Hubs (primary school Hub – Clober PS and Secondary school hub – St Ninian’s HS) to develop Chinese culture and Mandarin. Bids have been received from several primary and secondary schools which will now form part of our operational plan for submission to the Confucius Institute. The bids cover a range of topics including - Chinese Festivals including Chinese New Year, Chinese Cooking, Chinese knotting and arts / crafts; development of Mandarin language and understanding of culture; Interdisciplinary Learning; Mandarin in the Senior Phase.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work Update

• Following recruitment over the summer, Phase 9 of the EDC apprenticeship programme started with 16 new apprentices starting across the areas indicated below. This year’s programme also includes a graduate apprenticeship opportunity in Accountancy.

          

Roads and Civils                                   2 posts          

Digital Communications                        1 post                        

Youth Work                                            1 post

Streetscene                                           3 posts

Building Standards                                1 posts

GA Masters of Accountancy                  2 posts

Procurement & Supply Chain               1  post

Early Years                                           5 posts

 

• Around 250 young people attended the summer programme for secondary school age young people. Activities included drop in sessions, working to address food poverty issues, outdoor and fun activities and support to help young people and parents access a new national entitlement card which provides free bus travel. Feedback from young people and parents was very positive.

Summary of Key Achievements and Areas of Focus

• Early Years and Supporting Families - A working party to review Campsie View playscheme is planned for, starting in Term 1 session 2022-2023.
• Early Years and Supporting Families - The consultation on Out of School Care Provision will take place to continuously improve the service will continue to run until 7th September.
• The Quality Improvement Team will continue to monitor the progress of improvement priorities in all schools through a calendar of quality assurance  and attainment visits. Quality reviews will resume during the course of Session 2022/23.
• The Quality Improvement Team will continue to work with Secondary school staff to analyse and report on themes relating to SQA attainment data, including trends over time and attainment factors, with a particular focus on the poverty-related attainment gap. Schools will be supported and challenged to closely analyse attainment for the most disadvantaged young people, using data from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), Care Experienced young people, learners with additional support needs, young carers, and young people who are I receipt of free school meals. Data analysis will also consider gender and young people who speak English as an additional language. More detail will be included in the September 2022 report.

Finance & Audit

Overview of Progress

The month of August saw the Finance Team continuing to engage with the External Auditors, provide answers to audit queries and take further initial steps in appraising the options for potentially replacing the General Ledger system. There has been a shift in focus to considerations around developmental work relating to a proposed capital accounting review, the finalisation of work on service concession arrangements and the development of a future fiscal framework.

Work continues to be made on those fiscal flexibilities previously proposed within the 2022/23 Budget but where work was not suitably developed to provide a definitive financial assessment at that time. The publication of the Resource Spending Review confirmed the Scottish Government’s agreement to those changes proposed which will enable Councils to remodel debt relating to PPP/PFI contracts over the life of the asset, as opposed to the life of the contract.

To further advance this work the Scottish Government circulated a draft Finance Circular 4 to Directors of Finance for consultation on 18 July with responses due by 12 August. The Directors of Finance have met with civil servants during the consultation period to discuss the draft to ensure that it will support the intended purpose in practice. This has been a positive process, with Scottish Government indicating the intention to take proposed changes on board.  The Council continues to work with Link, our treasury management advisors, to assess the positon with

this now likely to be included in a future Report to Council.

A further key issue facing Finance at present is resources, with the service operating with vacancies across all Finance teams. 3.5 Accountant posts are unfilled at the time of writing, and have been advertised or re-advertised in September with a number of applications having been received and interviews will soon be carried out. A Medium term plan has been developed that will see recruitment of trainees into the GRAD+ scheme. In addition, two individuals have been recruited into a Graduate Accountant role, that will provide training, a degree and a professional qualification. However, these schemes do not address the short term need for qualified accountants. Finance is engaging with Human Resources to explore short term options to address these gaps in the teams, which are affecting the teams’ ability to deliver the required service. 

Internal Audit have been focussing on continuing the 2022/23 audit plan, with audits for the Council and the HSCP underway.  Work recently completed includes: Rent Arrears and a review of the Tree Management Policy. Work nearing completion includes Reconciliations, Review of Play Parks, Education Budgeting, Grant Funding, and Social Work Charging.

The Corporate Fraud Team have been undertaking investigations as a result of referrals received and have been undertaking vetting of applications for services such as Housing, Education, Licensing and Estates to secure the gateways by preventing fraud or error entering the system.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Period 3 Revenue and Capital Monitoring reports were prepared and presented to the Policy and Resources Committee.  The Revenue monitoring report identified £6.880m of potential inflationary pressures in the year, in addition to the £6.970m budget gap that was identified in the agreed budget. Non-pay Inflationary pressure of this magnitude equates to 2% of the current budget, 22% of our usable general reserves or all current contingency reserve. Financial planning and budgeting will therefore be a key focus.
• The Treasury team continue to monitor cash flow closely, ensuring that there is liquidity for all Council activities. Additional borrowing continues to be taken in line with the Council's capital programme expenditure.
• Work has continued in line with the 2022/23 Internal Audit Plan, with work progressing across a number of Council and HSCP services.
• Corporate Fraud are investigating allegations received, performing vetting and providing support in the investigation of suspected irregularity with regards to a Direct Payment account.
• Initial steps have been taken in appraising the options for potentially replacing the General Ledger system.
• Recruitment and retention is increasingly becoming a challenge for the Finance service. The service are liaising closely with HR in this respect and a Graduate Apprenticeship Masters of Accountancy 5 year training programme has recently been launched, with the aim being to grow our own talent. However, there are short terms gaps in resources that require to be addressed.  Ongoing recruitment is hoped to help with this aim.

Health and Social Care Partnership

Overview of Progress

The HSCP and its staff continue to work through the constraints of the pandemic to support the most vulnerable people in our community and promote social justice, equality and safety. In doing so, the Partnership rigorously applies its Business Continuity Plans and Covid-19 Recovery and Transition Plans.

The Covid-19 outbreak has continued to impact on a number of the performance metrics. Ongoing adaptation and prioritisation of health and social care resources in response to critical response management, the continued implementation of the vaccine programme and the impact of physical distancing, have all impacted on our ability to deliver the full range of services as they were delivered pre-pandemic. 

Despite these significant operational challenges, the HSCP continues to deliver on the majority of its performance indicators.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Key Achievements:

• Official Launch of the East Dunbartonshire’s Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service. This service provides dedicated support to residents of East Dunbartonshire, their family members and carers, who are affected by cancer from diagnosis, survivorship and end of life.
• Celebrated with GRACE (Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise) on its 10th anniversary providing recovery aftercare for individuals in East Dunbartonshire who have experienced trauma through its peer-led aftercare model.
• Launch of Children and Young People Mental Health Framework at the HSCP Leadership Group.
• Participation in and promotion of:
  - Male Cancer Awareness Week
  - Awareness of supporting older people during the hot weather
  - Feel Your Personal Best promotion alongside Sports Scotland, Public Health Scotland and SAMH to promote the benefits of physical activity on mental health and wellbeing.
  - East Dunbartonshire Income Maximisation Service

Areas of Focus:

Children and Criminal Justice Services:

• There has been an increase in the number of Looked After and Accommodated placements across East Dunbartonshire throughout 2021-22. Work is ongoing to redress the balance of care by reviewing out of authority placements and continuing the Foster Carer recruitment campaign.
• Delivery of year 2 of House Project which will improve outcomes for young Care Leavers.
• Implement the Children’s Services Plan which covers areas such as Community Mental Health and Wellbeing, Keeping Children Safe, Corporate Parenting and Healthy Lifestyles.
• Implement The Promise with a focus on Family Group Decision Making.
• Implementation of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework.
• Refresh EDC child protection procedures to reflect the new national child protection guidance.
• Address the unpaid work services backlog to ensure those sentenced are able to complete their hours and are not breaching any order.

Adult Services:

• Continue to ensure that we provide Self Directed Support training to Social Work and Health practitioners to instil confidence and knowledge about the options amongst the workforce. 
• Continue to implement our Digital Health and Care Actions, seeking to link traditional telecare with telehealth monitoring and technology enabled care. Aiming to maximise the experience of remote technology and implement the Analogue to Digital Telecare Transformation by 2024.
• Work continues to analyse and manage care home admission pressures, taking into account the potential consequences, both personal and organisational, for decision-making, with the aim to optimise the service model in relation to quality and efficiency.  Although there has been a downturn in the numbers seeking a Care Home placement, the complexity of those being managed in the community continues to rise.
• Continuing to provide multi-disciplinary intensive oversight, support and assurance for all care homes and other registered care providers in the area.
• Continue to pursue achievement of compliance with target timescales for adult protection cases.
• Taking forward the Allander Leisure and Day Care Centre - to be augmented by informal community based support network and the development of community led partnerships to facility the growth of employability and third and voluntary sector supports.
• Conduct a strategic review of all formal and informal social supports for older people to inform a five year strategy and commissioning plan, including centre based day care. 
• Refresh the HSCP Carers Strategy.
• Review of commissioned Mental Health and Alcohol and Drugs services.

Housing

Overview of Progress

As at 31st August 2022, the Housing Service:

• Has 51 members of staff:
  
  • Estates                       7       (0 vacancies)
  • Strategy                    13       (3 vacancies, 2 are advertised)
  • Rents                        12       (1 on maternity leave)
  • Homelessness          14       (2 vacancies and 1 maternity leave)
  • Management               5       (0 vacancies)
• Actively manages 3757 social rented homes, broken down into 3704 mainstream accommodation and 53 homeless temporary accommodation. 
• Maintains a housing list of 3205 households, made up of existing tenants, homeless applicants and waiting list applicants.
• Manages 84 lead tenancies which are rented from either private landlords or Housing Associations, to assist with accommodating homeless households on a temporary basis.
• 32 properties have been let:
  
  • 0 New Builds
  • 27 mainstream (25 general needs, 2 sheltered)
  • 1 buy back     (Bought from the open market)
  • 4 HRH-HRA (temporary accommodation converted back to permanent)
• 32 lets to the following queues:
  
  • 8 transfers
  • 7 waiting list
  • 17 homeless

Key achievements/Areas of focus

Strategy, Systems and Performance

Key Achievements

• Solution Design document for the Estates module of the new Integrated Housing Management System (IHMS) has now been signed off.
• Advertised to cover the role of Systems Officer.
• Performance Monitoring Officers developing automated sheets and dashboards to ensure that a more robust method of monitoring all housing performance in place.
• Local Housing Strategy consultation created and final draft document completed for committee at the end of September.
• Short Term Lets Policy completed and approved at P&R committee at the end of August.
• Liaising with Tenant Participation Team to review and produce the new Tenant Participation Strategy.
• Working on the Digital Telecare Project Board to ensure the successful transition of analogue telecare to digital telecare throughout the sheltered complexes.
• 6th Sheltered wardens post interviews carried out and successful applicant appointed.

Areas of focus

• IHMS progression (3 year project).
• Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 consultation and final document completion.
• Performance Monitoring.

Housing Operations – Estates and Tenant Participation

Key Achievements

• 12 new Anti-social cases received and 12 open Anti-social cases were resolved.
• 21 nominations to Registered Social Landlords for consideration for allocation of their stock.
• Monthly Housing Liaison meeting attended to discuss cases with social work, antisocial team and Police Scotland.
• Housing Staff attended an awareness/training session in respect of Immigration Intelligence in August 2022.
• Void rent loss has decreased since July, joint working with the void team continues.

Areas of focus

• Improve void re-let times through joint working with void team.
• Percentage of tenancy sustainment dropped from 100% in July to 83% in August - this was due to 2 households moving outwith the area and 2 households being transferred to a different property within EDC.
• Percentage of tenancies refused has increased from 21% in July to 32% in August – this is due to the allocation of a number of less popular properties.

Housing Operations – Rents

Key Achievements

• 15 tenants assisted and successfully awarded payment from Hardship Fund towards rent payments totalling £7,712.05.
• Active Tenant Rent Arrears are £1,349,949.01 which is a decrease on July’s figure (£1,385,820.68).
• Former Tenant Arrears are £715,363.52 which is a decrease from June’s figure (£731,839.00).
• Team continue to provide significant time/resources along with support to the change team and NEC with the development of the IHMS.
• TP Strategy review group - met to review recent consultation exercise and set priorities for the new strategy.
• Latest issue of Taking Part, Tenant Partition newsletter, issued in early August.
• Tenant Participation Strategy Development – priorities have now been identified and work on pulling the new draft strategy has now commenced.
• 8 Notice of Proceedings served.
• 3 Court Actions raised.
• 0 Eviction carried out.

Areas of focus

• Team continues to work on active Tenant rent arrears and former rent arrears to bring this figure down.

Homelessness and Prevention

Key Achievements

• There were 39 homelessness applications taken, from 65 appointments where  basic advice was given to prevent homelessness.
• 23 decisions all within 28 days (100%).
• 0 placements in unsuitable accommodation.
• 0 breeches of unsuitable accommodation order.
• 0 applicants waiting more than 3 years for offer of settled accommodation. 
• 28 calls to homelessness out of hours service.
• Rent Deposit Guarantee/Private Sector Scheme
  • 8 referrals
  • 2 housed

• Landlord Registration - 145 actions:
• new applications
• 51 renewals
• 55 updates
• Short term let policy approved on 25th August at Policy and Resource Committee.
• Project 101:
• Number of new referrals – 13 young people.
• Weekly cooking sessions – 1 per week (each Monday) with 3 new people signed up.
• 5 tenants assisted and successfully awarded payment from Temp Accommodation Hardship Fund totalling £4140.10.

Land Planning and Development

Overview of Progress

Land Planning & Development have progressed a number of significant work streams during August 2022 in line with the Business Improvement Plan commitments. 

Land Planning Policy

• Work towards the production of a draft Circular Economy Strategy for East Dunbartonshire is ongoing. Actions and objectives are being refined in collaboration with internal services and key external partners. A Members briefing will be held ahead of its submission to PNCA Committee.
• The Land Planning Policy team received the Report of Examination of LDP2 from the Reporters, which was published on 12 July 2022. Officers have worked through the content of this report in order to progress to the adoption of LDP2. A Technical Note was provided to Members on this legislative process. The LDP Working Party was held in August, prior to Council decision making on 22 September 2022.
• Following August 2022 PNCA Committee approval of two pieces of planning guidance, consultation is now being undertaken.   
• Following June 2022 PNCA Committee approval of the Council’s Parking Management Plan, and can now be quoted in correspondence.  
• Work is ongoing on a new Active Transport Strategy for East Dunbartonshire, which will reflect the Active Travel Discussion consultation in 2021 and align to work on the Climate Action Plan.

Sustainability Policy

• Work on the Climate Action Plan and Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy is continuing. Work has now commenced on the identification of opportunities for emissions reduction across the Council’s own estate and operations.  As agreed by Council in March, progress is also being made in the delivery of 37 early actions to address climate change which will be carried out alongside the development of the Climate Action Plan. 
• The Council launched the Re-Heat Project in partnership with Scottish Power Energy Networks and E.On in August.  The Project will provide an opportunity for low-carbon electrified heat and smart control to be introduced to 50 homes in East Dunbartonshire.    Information was provided in a recent Technical Note and is available on the Re-Heat page.
• Work is underway to identify priority projects for inclusion in the Council’s new Greenspace Strategy, which will replace the Green Network Strategy and Open Space Strategy.  Opportunities for improvement of open space, increasing tree cover, expanding peatland restoration and wetland creation are currently being assessed in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.  Audit work on play facilities will commence shortly and surveyors will be out and about across East Dunbartonshire assessing play areas and facilities during the autumn.  The outcome of the assessment will inform the priority actions on play to be included in the draft Greenspace Strategy.

GIS & IDOX Development Team

• The team has recently seen new staff filling vacancies and as such a period of transition and improvements.
• Ongoing roll out of ArcGIS Online web applications and mobile applications to aid officer’s workflows. Current workflows include analysis of travel connectivity to inform the evidence base for the next Active Travel Strategy and consultation materials for the forthcoming draft Circular Economy Strategy.
• Street naming and numbering is underway for the Barratt homes development at Bishopbriggs Town Centre. The address change for Waterside residents is currently with Royal Mail.

Business Support

• Working with numerous public sector agencies to ensure all support mechanisms to help business and create jobs are fully utilised, including development of new skills & technologies.
• Working on the development of new business support products designed to help businesses having difficulties in recovery, sustainability or diversification. These interventions will include loans and small grant support through residual ERDF and remaining discretionary funds.

City Deal Team

• The team continues with a range of work to ensure the delivery of the Council’s City Deal project, including the preparation of the different stages of business cases (in-line with City Deal & HM Greenbook requirements) which are required to unlock the funding from the region.
• Expert technical services have been procured to support transport modelling, and work to procure relevant expertise to design the Westerhill Development Road (formerly BRR5) and undertake the Westerhill Masterplan has been well progressed in this period. Most recently, design consultants have been appointed to progress feasibility stage for the A803 Sustainable Travel Corridor.
• The Public Realm Plan for Bishopbriggs Town Centre completed in July 2022 and an online exhibition of the plan is live on the City Deal webpages. It will close at the end of September.
• Design consultants are now being procured for the next stages of the design process for Bishopbriggs Town Centre.

Regeneration & Town Centres Team

• The Regent Gardens project is being progressed, working closely with the local community council, designs have been completed following extensive public consultation and preparation to go out to tender for main works contractor is in its final stages. On the Campsie Memorial Hall in Lennoxtown - Work continues with the Trust for the hall to develop proposals to improve the hall and examine external funding opportunities.
• The Kirkintilloch Business Gateway Masterplan has now been approved at the PNCA Committee. The team in partnership with colleagues across the Council and landowners will now look to progress the actions set out in the delivery plan with the aim of encouraging new development proposals to come forward for the site.
• Work is ongoing to prepare UK Levelling Up Fund bid to support regeneration activity in Lennoxtown. Work to prepare for the Shared Prosperity Fund is underway, working with various services, local partners and the Glasgow City Region to help set local priorities and possible uses for the funding which will be allocated later in 2022.

Traffic & Transport Team

• Work has concluded on design work for the Canniesburn Toll Improvement Project. Work will soon commence on procuring contractors for the construction period.
• Construction work is ongoing on the upgrade of the Strathkelvin Railway Path between Kirkintilloch and Lennoxtown. The project has been funded through SPT and the Council’s Cycling Walking Safer Routes allocation from Transport Scotland. Due to the nature of the project, extent of improvements and unforeseen circumstances, the overall project completion date has been delayed. However, the first section between Kirkintilloch and Milton of Campsie is now fully open for use. Further information and project updates are available on the Council website.
• Feasibility and design works are progressing on a range of active travel infrastructure projects included in the Local Transport and Active Travel Strategies.
• The team has successfully attracted external funding to help deliver a number of projects over 2022/23. Work is ongoing to recruit additional staff to support project delivery.
• Work is progressing on key functions of the team including: working on a range of Traffic Regulation Orders at various stages of the statutory process, liaising with the network operator and maintenance contractors of the public electric vehicle charging network and continuing to assist in resolving access issues.

Development Management:

• During the reporting period the planning side of the team has determined 74 applications and validated 70 applications. The Building Standards team have received 142 building warrants and approved 112 applications. The Enforcement Team opened 17 new cases and closed 4. 
• The Building Standards team have had to manage a high workload whilst carrying 4 vacancies over this reporting period.  In addition the Validation Team have 1 vacancy and the Planning Team have a half vacancy. Managing customer expectations has been critical, as unfortunately the team have not been able to respond as quickly as we normally strive to do. 
• It is hoped ongoing recruitment processes will be successful and the team have new starts joining the Building Standards team in September. It is recognised that there is national recruitment challenge for Building Standards and this is being discussed at a national level with the Scottish Government, HOPS, LABBS and universities.
• The Development Applications team prepared reports for the September meeting of the Planning Board.
• The Development Applications team provided a Planning Advisor for the August meeting of the Local Review Body which heard four cases, one of which has been called for a site visit.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• On boarding of new starts.
• Implementation and roll out of new business support products designed to help businesses having difficulties in recovery, sustainability or diversification. 

Legal and Democratic Services

Overview of Progress

Performance against all indicators for August is 100% apart from one indicator where it is 90%. The indicator that is 90% is for LDS-BIP-01a % of Contact acceptances completed within 7 days of full instructions. There was one contract award letter that was not issued within 7 days. This was because the team was asked to turn around a high number of other contracts in a short space of time and these took priority.

During August, the approved Council & Committees cycles restarted. Democratic Services managed the implementation of the Council’s new Hybrid meeting system against a challenging and busy cycle of meetings. In addition, the Team continued to manage and represent the Council at various Civil Contingency and resilience meetings and progress work in relation to the Council’s PREVENT obligations. 

The Information Management Team supported major project work e.g. the implementation of MS365 and commenced a review of a number of policies and procedures which will support elements of the organisation and workforce of the future. The SMT Support Team continues to support both CMT and SMT in all aspects of work and are a key part of the administration behind the production of reports for committees and other decision making bodies. The Members Support Team continue to work with and support Members in their role.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• During August, the Team processed 7 contract form reviews, 3 Contract award letters, 51 taxi licences, and 5 grants. The number of taxi licence applications received is higher than what is received in most months.
• All of the above categories were processed within the required timescales, except for one contract award letter. The delay was due to the urgent taxi contract awards referred to below which took priority and required to be processed with short notice. In light of the performance for all categories except for award contract, it is not proposed to take any steps at this time other than to continue to monitor progress against the set PIs.
• Taxi transport award letters issued for the start of the new term. This is a labour intensive process given the way in which these contracts are concluded and the number of separate taxi runs etc.
• Contract variation letters issued for supported living providers for the uplift of staff wages. Again, this is a labour intensive process given the number of providers and breadth of service provision involved.
• Conveyancing necessary to progress the sale of Auchinairn Primary School.
• Renewal of the Council’s operating licence to be a provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
• Appearance work to defend the Council’s decision to remove a licence to sell fireworks from a retailer. This has been a long protracted matter. The decision for this is awaited.
• Democratic Services completed the installation of the new Hybrid Meeting system – Public-I – which when combined with the Webex Platform allows a hybrid meeting solution to be applied to meetings of the Council, Committees and Planning Board. This included extensive training and the development of procedures and guidance to support both Members and officers in the use of the hybrid system
• A first full cycle of hybrid meetings commenced on 11 August culminating in the Council meeting on 22 September 2022. This ensured the Council fulfilled the requirement for meetings to be held when possible in public (in person and on-line). This is reflected in the YouTube on-line viewing statistics – 100 views for Committees, 85 for Boards. It also provides flexibility for both Members and officers in terms of in person or virtual attendance, enables better time management and also reduces travel, thereby impacting on emissions.
• Information & Records Management continue to deliver mail & print services while preparing for the demands of the workforce of the future. 

Neighbourhood Services

Overview of Progress

The Waste Tam has continued the front line service operations for the collection of over 400,000 assorted household bins over the month of August, providing residual, recycling, food, garden and special waste collections on behalf of the Authority. The team has also managed the waste and recycling collections from over 500 of our local commercial premises.

Waste Services have managed the disposal and processing of over 800 tonnes of recycling and general waste materials through our Household Waste Recycling Centre at the Mavis Valley over this period.   

The Waste service have continued to work with our Clyde Valley partners through the period on the treatment and disposal contract for all residual household waste. The Council processed around 1950 tonnes of waste through this contract in August, ensuring our waste undergoes treatment for recycling extraction prior to being sent through an Energy from Waste process.

The Fleet team continue to manage the transport operations including the Councils Goods Vehicle Operator Licence and compliance across all services. This includes provision and management of the maintenance workshops, annual testing, statutory inspections and management of Drivers in line with obligations and conditions laid out in the Councils commitment to the Scottish Traffic Commissioner.

Fleet Management has worked in partnership with services and officers from procurement in order to specify, tender and procure further vehicles and associated items of specialist plant, suitable for service users’ needs and to coincide with Lease contracts terminating through the financial year. Tenders are currently out for the replacement of specialist vehicles, plant & equipment for Roads and Environment services.

A new fleet of Property Maintenance & Greenspace & Streetscene vehicles were due for delivery however following recent updates from manufacturers, the ongoing supply chain issues continue to provide a major challenge. The global shortage of key electronic components means that manufacturers continue to suffer ongoing delays to build schedules with revised lead times for some equipment now in excess of 12 months from point of order. 

The fleet service continues to support and manage Transport Operations for the provision of Additional Support Needs Transport service for Education and Integrated Health and Social Care, including delivery of school meals on behalf of the authority. This service has provided additional support for other services throughout the period. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Work continues to progress on the tender and detail for the Waste Compositional Analysis of the Councils Waste/Recycling to start November 2022.
• The Mavis Valley Recycling Centre was busy during August, Scrutiny of the booking system reported 9883 visitors attended the facility during this period.
• The Waste Service recycled over 18 tonnes of Electrical goods through the Mavis Valley Recycling centre throughout the month of August.
• Successful ongoing delivery of the Clyde Valley Residual Waste contract, diverting 1950 tonnes of general waste for ongoing treatment within the month.
• Ongoing assistance with waste and recycling collection for over 4,000 of our elderly and infirm residents on a weekly basis.
• The team are now starting to get back inside schools to deliver the recycling message, with a presentation taking place in Milngavie PS to all P4 - P7 pupils.
• August has been the start of a training month for our staff at Mavis Valley Recycling Centre, with staff progressing through a new JCB training / development course.
• Ongoing attendance at meetings in support of other Council services and partners to identify options for Carbon reduction and the Circular Economy Agenda as part of the wider Climate Action Plan.
• Delivery of Statutory Fleet Maintenance and Management services throughout the period.
• Support Council services in the delivery of ASN Transport including the distribution of essential supplies for vulnerable individuals throughout the period including meals for early years facilities and lunch clubs etc.
• Continued work on the management of Capital programme for the replacement of fleet assets through the financial year.   
• Continued support to front line service operations through the provision of in house fleet maintenance function including horticultural and construction plant repairs.
• Management of Fleet Operations in compliance with Operator Licencing legislation with a DVSA Operator Compliance Risk Score of Green 03 for both Traffic and Compliance and a 85.71% first time pass rate for annual tests.
• Continue work for the review and creation of a new Fleet Asset Management plan to incorporate Zero emission and alternative fuelled vehicle and plant fleet, in the lead up to legislative deadlines and targets. 

Organisational Transformation

Overview of Progress

During August, the Service continued to support services across the Council in delivery or various projects and in support of the necessary day to day business which enables the Council to operate successfully. In addition, OT services were involved in ongoing support to a number of strategic procurements/projects, particularly in relation to City Deal. The Strategic Commissioning Team continued to support the progression of the HSCP’s transformation of Learning Disability services and review of Older People Social Supports Strategy which is due to be finalised later this year.  As previously advised, the TUs balloted members in waste and education (non teaching) for industrial action in support of their pay claim. Following formal notification that action would be undertaken between 6-14 September, this generated significant demands on the HR&OD service in terms of engagement with local TU officials, liaising with COSLA in relation to the national position and also supporting and advising managers in the affected services. At present, action has been temporarily suspended following a revised offer presented from the employer side and TUs are currently balloting Members on this.

Transformation  

• Contract award with Mastec-Evosys successfully concluded for partner support to transition from our legacy Oracle EBS solution to an integrated Oracle Cloud Solution  
• Work continues on the transition to digital for telecare services.  Tender launch is scheduled for 30th September 2022, with the contract go live scheduled for February 2023. Working with other Early Adopters, a set of technical standards will be developed that will allow providers to invest in plug and play technology for the Shared ARC. 
• Work is underway to increase the service offerings of the Parents Portal. Additional services under consideration are permission slips and placing requests. 
• Work is underway for the procurement of new Freedom of Information system. Meetings are scheduled with Procurement colleagues to agree the route to market. 
• Supplier demos are underway for our new Council website (CMS) and Customer Relationship management (CRM) system and work continues to explore the implementation options for our new Employee Intranet, which will be developed on the Microsoft Sharepoint platform. 
• Our cemetery booking system project is on track which will implement enhancements to the existing cemetery booking system to include the electronic storage of handwritten historical records. 
• Preparatory work and service engagement has progressed for both Managed Stores and RMMS, ahead of the procurement process commencing. 
• In-house report and budget system development has continued, which will enable our Finance Team to report and budget effectively for the Education Authority. 

Business Systems  

• Working with Microsoft Gold partner to develop 5 Statements of work which will support the Council in migrating from the current legacy notes e-mail platform to cloud based Microsoft 365 Outlook & Exchange email services before April 23.  
• The Planning & Building Control IDOX Uniform system upgrade has been successfully completed ensuring the system's continued supportability, maintainability & compliance.  
• Work continues with the development of the replacement E-Billing Data Mart solution which will contribute to the displacement of the legacy notes-based platform as additional M365 services are onboarded. 
• In collaboration with our Finance service, an options paper to upgrade the income management system is under consideration by senior officers. The upgrade is required to ensure continued maintenance, supportability and compliance while also adding additional business value with new payment and transaction processing features. 
• A new Adult Service risk assessment form has been developed and implemented enabling more accurate, outcome focussed risks recording for over 450 Adult Services employees using the social work case management system Carefirst. 

Health and Safety

The team continues to manage the Health Surveillance program which includes HAVS management and administration and Noise Dosimetry.

• Logging, review and investigation of incoming incident reports and subsequent reporting of RIDDOR submissions where required
• Developing Fire and Health and Safety services
• Provision of updated risk assessments for a range of council teams as we move in covid recovery
• Production of corporate guidance on Safer Workplaces
• Updating new corporate Health and Safety Management System
• Working with Managers across teams and services on risk assessments, training

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Providing ongoing support to the City Deal team in relation to WDR Contract 2 negotiations and alternative procurement route options.
• Released updated Governance and Procurement Guidance Notes documentation to support latest revisions to Contract Standing Orders
• Supported key Business & Digital Change projects such as Oracle Fusion upgrade, M365, CRm & CMS, supporting workforce of the future planning.
• Completed cost analysis exercise across learning disability supported accommodation and support living services to help identify cost pressures and inform budget decision making  
• Prioritised comprehensive review of the care at home market to help support and inform future strategic decision making 
• Commenced market analysis across Children & Families and Criminal Justice services – outcome will help to prioritise future commissioning activity around this area  
• Committee approval on the Menopause Policy, to be implemented across the workforce.
• Commencement of worksteam to review and consider strategies in support of Recruitment and Retention within the Council, and assist in workforce of the future planning.
• Continued support across the Employee Relations spectrum, including support to the HR and Education Appeals Boards.
• Regular engagement with COSLA in relation to the revised offer presented to National Trade Unions in relation to SJC pay claim.
• Completion of procurement of Microsoft Gold Partner Support Services and initiate the migration of the Council's e-mail system to M365 Outlook & Exchange services.
• Develop governance and resource arrangements for Oracle Cloud project.
• Solution design, build and data migration preparation for the Integrated Housing Management System (IHMS).
• Progression of procurement process for both Managed Stores and RMMS.
• Supplier demos held for CRM and CSM (Website) using the Software Value Added Re-seller framework (SVAR). 

Place and Community Planning

Overview of Progress

Community Protection

• Environmental Health
• Trading Standards
• Community Safety

The Community Protection Service delivers on a broad statutory remit, with delivery measures centred on protecting public health and safety, well-being and consumer protection. During the course of August the service has been actively engaged in the local Co-Production arrangement with Police Scotland. This has resulted in a significant amount of joint work and coordinated activity to protect communities across the East Dunbartonshire area. The service has also continued to develop intelligence led approaches towards all areas of work in order to target local public health, community safety and consumer protection activity towards the areas of greatest need, risk and priority.

The Environmental Health Team has continued to be engaged in the delivery of essential public health services throughout the reporting period in order to protect the community from hazards in the environment and to regulate and facilitate the growth of responsible businesses. An increase in seasonal events and planning applications have required assessment and response from the team on top of a variety of proactive and reactive work including many ongoing environmental public health investigations. In a similar vein, the Trading Standards Team has been engaged in the delivery of essential consumer protection and licensing services to local consumers and businesses in order to maintain and protect a fair trading environment in East Dunbartonshire. Priority activity in July has included continuing work to develop a new Trading Standards Trusted Trader Scheme for the local authority area in advance of a launch over the next few months.

The Community Safety Team has continued to undertake a broad range of front-line work for the benefit of local communities during the reporting period. Officers from the team have therefore been engaged in the delivery of services in relation to community engagement/support, antisocial behaviour, youth disorder, neighbour disputes, environmental incivilities, dog control, decriminalised parking enforcement, fly-tipping, mediation, cctv and pest control. Officers have continued to work closely with a range of colleagues and key partners to successfully deliver appropriate interventions and to make our local communities safer. The Community Wardens have also been developing links within the local communities they serve, getting involved in a number of initiatives and events that are now taking place or recommencing across the Council area.

Community Planning and Partnership

The Community Planning Team have now provided accessible collated consultation reports on the review of the four locality plans which been produced and being presented to Community Planning Partners for consideration. Meanwhile, officers continue to work alongside our most deprived communities to support community capacity building and development opportunities.

The team continue to manage the Community Grants Scheme. In round one 44 applications were received requesting £95,061. It has been noted that despite COVID recovery then applications and requests for funding are now highlighting the cost of living crisis and how community groups seek to address this, for example, additional activities and also providing food and drinks. The applications will be considered at the GAC meeting on 28th September.

The progress report on the Child Poverty Report annual reporting and planning for 2022-23 has been produced by the Strategic Partner Group and shared with NHS Board for finalisation.  It will then be considered by Council and be tabled at the CPPB.  The three drivers of child poverty reduction are agreed nationally as the areas where Councils and other Public Bodies can have most impact on child poverty reduction.  These are increasing income from employment; maximising income from benefits; and reducing household costs and other costs of living.

Officer continue to work alongside services and teams to deliver the Equalities outcomes.

We continue to work with Scottish Government, Homes Office and partners to deliver the resettlement agenda across East Dunbartonshire Council area.  This includes working with partners to support VPRS and UDP.

The vaccination clinics continue to deliver the NHS vaccination programmes.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Delivery of effective services on a flexible basis in order to meet all statutory requirements and duties in relation to public health, community safety, consumer protection and licensing matters.
• Delivery of local Co-Production activity between Community Protection and Police Scotland, with particular focus on effective tasking processes and the delivery of joint action plans and work to protect the communities of East Dunbartonshire.
• Delivery of Business Improvement Plan activity relating to Community Protection - actions being implemented in accordance with set targets in order to deliver effective services in line with relevant corporate outcomes and with positive performance being reported.
• Delivery of regulatory services that assist with economic recovery and that are designed to support local businesses and communities in the route out of the pandemic.
• Provision of a resilient Environmental Health Service with ability to adapt to any new Covid-19 situations that prompt a public health response.
• Ongoing housing checks to assist in the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees.
• Revocation of the Bearsden Air Quality Management Area has been confirmed by Council and supported by the Scottish Government and SEPA due to compliance with air quality objective levels over the period of a number of years.
• Joint investigation of a fly-tipping incident by the Community Safety Team and Police Scotland resulting in a number of individuals being charged with fly-tipping offences.
• Appropriate referrals and outcomes for seven young persons referred to the Early & Effective Intervention Group which is coordinated and chaired by the Community Safety Team. 
• Delivery of water safety patrols at a number of key locations by the Community Wardens.
• Delivery of Football Friday sessions in the Milton of Campsie and Lennoxtown areas – youth diversionary activity managed and run by the Community Wardens with approximately 40 children attending each Friday evening.
• Delivery of effective field responses in relation to all trading standards and licensing service requests.
• On-going recommencement of Trading Standards and Licensing routine inspection and project work.
• Development and introduction of a Trusted Trader Scheme for East Dunbartonshire by Trading Standards with an anticipated launch in autumn 2022.
• Delivery of an integrity testing programme for tobacco and nicotine vapour products at tobacco registered premises in order to check compliance levels in relation to age verification policies and procedures.
• Coordination of Round 1 of the community grant scheme.
• Provision of community capacity support using a Community Learning and Development approach across our Locality areas and communities of interest.
• Produced in partnership with EDVA, HSCP and EDC Communications Team provided collated consultation reports on the review of locality plans.
• Delivering resettlement support under both VPRS and Homes for Ukraine agendas
• Coordinated the production of the Child Poverty Report and Plan 2022-2023
• Coordinated the production of the progress report on the East Dunbartonshire Plan for Community Learning and Development (CLD) for 2021-2024
• Preparation for the commencement of the winter vaccination programme in September to be delivered at Kirkintilloch and Milngavie Town Hall – flu and covid booster

Roads and Environment

Overview of Progress

The Roads and Environment Service continues to oversee the maintenance function and safe operation of the adopted public carriageway/footway network, adopted open spaces (including trees) and cemeteries within East Dunbartonshire. In addition, the Service also oversees the management and operations of Mugdock Country Park.

This Service area is divided into five portfolio groupings:

1. Roads Network Operations

2. Roads Technical & Engineering

3. Streetscene Technical Support (including Bereavement and Arboriculture)

4. Streetscene Operations (including grounds maintenance, street cleansing and cemetery operations)

5. Mugdock Country Park

Each team has specific areas of responsibility; however, they all operate and function collectively as required. Within their own areas, each team has a number of service accountabilities contributing to local outcomes.

The various sections within the portfolio groups continue to progress both revenue operation/maintenance work and internally and externally funded capital projects with colleagues in Procurement and Finance. Several projects are time specific due to the external funding conditions to it is very important to make best use of the time available to bring these projects to fruition for the benefit of local communities.

Roads Network Operations Team (including Street Lighting)

The team continue to delivery both planned and reactive maintenance to both roads and street lighting assets. Regrettably, staff turnover and the subsequent vacancies continues to be an issue, but both teams are utilising the tools and resources available to ensure maintenance work continues. The capital programmes for both teams continue with the carriageway and footway resurfacing programme and lighting projects ongoing across East Dunbartonshire. Finally, winter maintenance preparation continues with the winter rock salt stock replenishment completed in advance of the October start date.

Roads Technical & Engineering

The Roads Development, Structures, Traffic, Flood Risk and Drainage Teams continue to work on multiple projects including Road Coring, Flood Defence Maintenance, Bridge Inspection/Replacement and Signalisation/TRO Projects across various area. The Team is also coordinating with external contractors to delivery multiple traffic surveys with the information used to determine the next steps for various proposals. This information is used as evidence to either support the need for action or validate the decision not to take forward a proposal if it is not supported by evidence.

Streetscene Operations

The team continues with seasonal grounds maintenance tasks including grass cutting and summery cyclical works within open spaces, schools grounds, sports grounds and community facilities. The teams are also undertaking street cleansing of all adopted council roads and pavements including litter collection, mechanical sweeping and servicing of street litter bins. In addition, the team also continues to manage the Councils tree stock carrying out surveys and arranging remedial works as required. The team manages and performs burials in the eight operational cemeteries. The team are continuing with the 2022 Care of Garden Scheme – Care of Gardens Service | East Dunbartonshire Council.

Streetscene Technical Support Team

The team are developing and implementing projects relating to Council Strategies such as the Open Space Strategy, Local Biodiversity Action Plan, Green Networks and Food Growing (emerging). Additionally, capital grants received from the Scottish Government are being utilised for play park improvements and Nature Restoration Grants. Other work relate to working with community groups regarding Environmental Improvement Projects including path improvement, play area renovations, amenity planting, cemetery and allotment development.

Mugdock Country Park

The team have completed a first draft of  the 2022-27 Mugdock Strategy as well as progressing several quotes for various improvements across the Country Park, and this will enter a period of initial consultation in-house prior to full consultation with the public and third party stakeholders.Year on year the September visitor numbers are well in excess of expectations.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Roads Network Operations Teams (including Street Lighting)               

• EDC Internal Resurfacing Programme (non-coal tar location)
  
  • Main Street, Milngavie
  • Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden
  • A803 Kirkintilloch Road
  • A810 Duntocher Road, Bearsden
  • Twechar Road, Twechar
• EDC External Resurfacing Programme (coal tar location)
  
  • Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden
  • Muirpark dr Bishopbriggs
  • Roselea & Blane Dr Milngavie
• EDC Construction of new footway
  
  • Wester Cleddens Road at Kintessack Place, Bishopbriggs
  • Milngavie Rd Bearsden
  • Drymen RD Milngavie
• EDC Street Lighting Capital/Replacement Projects
  
  • Buchanan Street, Milngavie (complete)
  • Ralston Road / Russell Drive, Bearsden (ongoing)
  • Lime Grove / Birch Drive / Douglas Gardens, Lenzie (complete)
  • Rosehill Road / School Road / Kings Park, Torrance ( ongoing)
  • Woodvale Avenue / Killermont Avenue / Hutchison Drive  /Albert Drive, Bearsden (complete)
• EDC Christmas Lighting
  
  • Replacement / spare parts delivered in preparation for testing and repair of features.
  • Electrical / infrastructure repairs carried out in preparation for this year’s installations.

*Some of the work listed was completed in July, but the Service are still awaiting disconnection by Scottish Power Energy Network (SPEN) to allow old columns to be removed.

Roads Technical & Engineering Teams -

Flood Risk & Drainage

• Park Burn Kirkintilloch - De-silting of burn works completed.
• River Glazert Restoration Project - Detail design works currently on going.
• Kelvin Tributaries River Restoration Project - Specification of Requirements (Scope) for concept design is currently being drafted and being reviewed by SEPA.
• River Kelvin Flood Defence Maintenance Contract - Awarded to WGM Ltd and start up meeting undertaken.
• Preparatory works to complete the Park Burn dredging that could not be completed last year.
• CCTV of several road locations with reported drainage issues.
• Capital works completed at the following locations
  
  • 1 Roman Avenue, Bearsden
  • 3 Garngaber Court, Lenzie
  • 5-7 Greenhead Rd,  Bearsden
  • Campsie Rd at Valleyfield, Milton of Campsie (phase A)
• Currently at 15 Thomson Dr Bearsden replacing gullies
• Upcoming woks
  
  • Campsie Road at Newlands Terrace, Milton of Campsie (phase B) starts 15 August for 2 weeks
  • Boclair Road at Milngavie Road, Bearsden 12 – 16 September
  • 113 Milngavie Road, Bearsden 19 – 23 September
  • Angus Avenue, Bishopbriggs 7 November – 16 December (following cctv survey)

Development

• Road inspections at development sites, monitoring site progression.
• Asset collection on new developments.
• Processing road opening and temporary traffic light permits, discussing acceptable dates for road occupation.
• Managing the coring programme with Socotec. Approximately 70% of the south west area has been completed.
• Concluding adoptions and adding to the list of public roads.
• The Christmas Embargo for 1 December 2022 to 5 January 2023 has been placed on the road works register to prevent non-emergency works in town centres.
• Scottish Road Works Register inspections charges for Q1 2022/23 have been sent.
• Continuing to charge out Fixed Penalty Notices for failed notices on the Scottish Road Works Register.
• Road inspections at development sites, monitoring site progression.
• Asset collection on new developments, add to GIS
• Chair local RAUCS meeting
• Processing road opening and temporary traffic light permits, discussing acceptable dates for road occupation.
• Monitor the national coring programme with approved contractor Socotec. Approximately 90% of the south west area has been completed.
• Conclude adoptions and add to the list of public roads.
• Developments recently adopted, Cala site Birdston Rd, Springfield site Cottonmill Drive and Persimmon site Woodilee village.

Structures

• The team have taken on an interim Structure Engineer via an agency while the recruitment process for a permanent appointment continues.
• General inspections are ongoing.
• Lions Gate footbridge refurbishment Kirkintilloch has now been complete.
• New low bridge signing has now been installed at Easter Garngaber Rail Bridge in Lenzie and at Station Road Bearsden.
• Principal Inspection completed of the bridge at Bearsden Station.
• Culvert strengthening works on Crow Road Lennoxtown ongoing.
• Alnwick Bridge Crow Road Lennoxtown strengthening works ongoing.
• Benvue Underpass in Lennoxtown strengthening and repair works ongoing.
• Upcoming projects include Park Burn Bridge Kirkintilloch strengthening works starting 6th October for approximately 8 weeks.
• Allander bridge Douglas Street access scaffold to be installed to allow principal inspection and repairs to be carried out.
• Continuing with general and principal inspections.
• Dealing with regular structures related enquires.

Traffic

• The recruitment process for a new Senior Traffic Officer is almost completed with a start date scheduled in October.
• The team are also providing technical support for City Deal projects and Canniesburn Toll
• The Team Leader has also been attending meetings about the proposed National 20 mph speed limits.
• Structures: we are taking on an agency Structures Engineer while recruitment of a permanent replacement is ongoing.
• The team are working through various locations installing new or replacing street signs as per customer requests.
• The team are assessing and installing new disabled bays and removal
• The team continue to assess areas for potential traffic calming and pedestrian crossings

Greenspace & Streetscene Teams

Streetscene Operations

• Street cleansing and associated tasks such as removal of fly posting and uplifting of fly tipping, mechanical street sweeping and installing replacement or additional bins.
• Graffiti removal.
• Ongoing cemetery operations, digging and carrying out interments, cemetery grass cutting, installing headstone foundations, benches etc
• Cyclic grass cutting of open spaces, Housing estates, sports pitches, school grounds, open space hedge cuts.
• COG service continuance.
• Housing one off grass cuts
• Cutting of scatter flats, Lead Tenancies and temporary accommodation.
• Checking and clearance of culverts
• Play park inspection and repair
• Watering and maintenance of hanging baskets
• Football pitch initial mark and overlining; goalpost installation.
• School and flower bed weeding; shrub bed facing up.
• Responding to Customer Service Requests and complaints.
• Contract for second verge and hedge cut issued to external contractor.

Streetscene Technical Support

• Re-tender for Climate Ready Park at Woodhill & Etive Open Space underway.
• Peel Park Band Stand wild flower preparation and creation being organised and order issued
• Internal Tree audit preliminary meeting and review completed and discussions underway in regard to digitisation of tree survey records.
• Input into Play Sufficiency report, Climate Action Plan and Tree planting with external agencies with EDC’s Sustainability Team, ongoing.
• Period 2 LEAMS Survey completed utilising new system and new methodology
• Long list produce of sites to be restored as part of the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Grant.  Technical note produced and issued.
• Lenzie Moss Boardwalk contract awarded, team working with Procurement to progress..
• KLR and BRR works ongoing.
• Finalised list of roads to be included in cross-working partnership as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative for verge cleaning, dates set for October
• Synthetic 3G and grass football pitch contract – cleaning and disinfection programme completed.  Verti-draining to be arranged for November.
• Ongoing surveying and removal of dangerous trees or limbs; scheduling of tree works in new financial year. 
• Finalisation of specification for Horticultural framework tender and returned to procurement, awaiting issue.
• Responding to a number of planning applications
• Specification for Ash Die back surveying drawn up, first draft to be finalised and issued for tender..
• Mosshead Play Park upgrade Brief for Contractors issued for tender return.
• Westerton Play Park upgrade Brief for Contractors issued for tender return.
• Etive Park Play Park upgrade Brief for Contractors issues for tender return.
• Team working with City Deal Team and consultants in relation to masterplan of Bishopbriggs Public Park.
• Finalised drawings and costings prepared for Craigfoot Allotment, next stages includes viewing of plans with Community prior to submitting to Planning for determination.
• Issuing of quotes for CCTV survey of drainage system in all active Cemeteries and cleaning thereof.
• Tree surveys arranged in November for Peel Park and Woodhead Park.
• Quotes sought for relaying setts and paving at Milton of Campsie Cros.
• Quotes sought for a number of fencing projects across the LA area.
• Contract issued for cut and lift of wildflower meadows.
• Alder Road Pictorial Meadow creation order issued; replacement turfing at Bencloich issued; weed wipe order out for Cluny Park.
• Input into Additional Capital investment for drainage, active travel/access and footway surfacing.
• Phase 1 of path upgrade to Luggie Path park completed, second phase in preparation.
• Kilmardinny Loch path section upgrade completed.
• Capital funding sought through SPF funding mechanism for Food Growing projects and Officer resources and feasibility study for a Heritage & Arts Trail along section of the tow path, Kirkintilloch Town Centre.
• Marestail treatment at Hillhead Community Centre.
• The team continues to respond to high volume of open space, tree and bereavement enquires, along with planning application consultations and complaints.
• Painting of MUGA, Langfaulds Field
• Bill of Quantities tenancy properties listings completed along with scatter flats and early years centres. Water vole surveying at Lenzie Moss ongoing.
• Letter forwarded to schools in respect of the annual Bulb Competition

Mugdock Country Park

• First draft of Mugdock Strategy produced, next steps to be carried out will in-house consultation.
• Ranger events over summer break includes Sensational Safaris, Wildlife Weans, Sensory Sundays and Guided Walks;
• Large scale negative tree survey carried out.
• Working in partnership with Scottish Water in relation to temporary and fully funded Ranger posts.
• Forest schools activities: whittling, orienteering, pond dipping;
• Park events - Superdog, Go Batty; RSPB info days
• Fox and Badger study being carried out at Mugdock Wood and Bat counts taking place over a number of locations;
• Participating in external events - Bearsden Festival (Bearsden Shark), delivering whittling and pond dipping at Gavin's Mill;
• New seasonal Rangers have been patrolling across the Park, setting up pop up information stalls and assisting with events;
• Invasive species have been tackled including himalayan balsam and salmonberry
• Surveys this month include - bird counts, bat counts;
• Room and land hire continues with BBQ sites and BBQ Hut popular in particular at weekends for families and on week days for out of school groups/community organisations;
• Fox and Badger study being carried out at Mugdock Wood and Bat counts taking place over a number of locations;
• Development work for future events:  Mugdock Panto (Cinderella), and Mugdock Christmas Wonderland (Lightshow);
• Gallowhill and Pond BBQ sites and BBQ Hut regularly booked out by groups, families and holiday clubs;
• Project development - Walled Garden, Quarry fence, BBQ replacement, Car park design;
• Liaising with consultants over draft of new Mugdock Strategy;
• Meeting with Mugdock Trust over future work at Mugdock Castle;
• Observatory in the Park having final checks by Building control;
• Clan Graham Society members from North America visited on one of their tours of Scotland and presented a cheque for maintenance and improvements to the Castle continuing to have Clan Graham tours of Mugdock Castle by Park staff.