How Good Is Our Service - June 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

Property Maintenance have achieved our target of 100% for Gas Servicing in June with 419 properties serviced in the month. We have attained 100% consistently over the past year and with robust measures in place to monitor performance in this area we are confident of maintaining this throughout this year.

Voids performance has dropped in June to 94% from 98% in May, however this is a positive figure and significantly exceeds our overall target of 85%. Improvement measures implemented continue to have a positive impact within the section and we strive to maintain and improve performance going forward.

Reactive repairs are ongoing with significant progress continuing in addressing all older non-essential 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; we intend to issue another letter to these tenants and will re-schedule these as and when tenants contact us. 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 with positive feedback being received from tenants across all contracts. 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 has commenced, with recruitment campaigns utilising Council social media platforms and approved recruitment sites.

All FM Lead and Catering Co-ordinator positions are filled. Staff training is scheduled during the summer holiday period.

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

The service has supported the delivery of Snack N Play throughout the month of June and will do so during the remainder of the summer holidays.

Covid continues to impact on the uptake of school meals, income levels, resources and product availability. A reduced menu was implemented in May to ease resourcing and supply chain pressures. This remains under review however the intention is to revert to a full menu offering at the start of the new term in August.

The uptake of free school meals has improved over previous months, however the reduced menu has impacted on the uptake figures this period.  The uptake of school meals 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 June, 1 property required an annual Gas Safety Check.  The asset was 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 one vacant property let to a local company during the month of June.  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.  Marketing has commenced for the lease of the new Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex with a closing date for offers set for 22nd August 2022. 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

Good progress continues to be made through the construction phase of projects at Allander Leisure Centre, ASN Kirkintilloch and Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, with Phase 1 handover of Boclair Academy due end of July. Good progress also continues to be made at our Affordable Housing developments at the Loaning, Lenzie and Kerr St, Kirkintilloch. 

Redecoration remains on-going at Wester Cleddens and Twechar Primary Schools, which are due to conclude in September, with the next phase of redecoration works being planned at St Machan’s Primary School. A variety of other projects which will improve the condition and suitability of the school estate are also underway, and are on track for completion over the Summer holiday period. Planning and pre-construction activities are also well underway for further improvements to the condition and suitability of the school estate, which will be carried out over the course of the remainder of the financial year and subsequent financial years.

The early stages of projects at Milngavie, Primary School, Bearsden Primary School, Westerton Primary School and Balmuildy Primary School have all continued to progress through the period. Final contractual arrangements for the refurbishment of Brookwood Villa have been subject to slight delay due to final additional pre-construction surveys being required prior to the finalisation of the contractor’s offer. Financial close is now expected at the end of July with works commencing shortly thereafter.

Capital works across the Council’s existing Affordable Housing stock and are now well underway, including kitchen and bathroom replacement. A tender process is underway for the next phase of the Council’s new-build Affordable Housing programme with returns now having been received and interviews taking place in June with the aim of appointing a preferred contractor and design team for each lot by the end of July.

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 residents in East Dunbartonshire through our Care & Repair service.
• 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 July and August (2 properties) and September (7 properties) 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.
• Commence recruitment exercise to fill identified vacant FM positions.

Customer and Business Support Services

Overview of Progress

The focus for the Communications & Engagement team in June included promoting the new Forward in Partnership focus for Council priorities, following agreement of this approach at the Council meeting on 17 June. A total of 20 media enquiries were dealt with (compared to 25 last month) and 20 media releases were issued (compared to 11 last month) all available on the Council website news section generating coverage in local and national media with an equivalent advertising value of over £8k (compared to almost £4.5k the previous month). Social media posts continued to generate good interaction across a range of themes and social media audiences continue to grow across all channels. The Strathkelvin Railway Path upgrade was the most popular post on Facebook with a reach of almost 18k, 160 interactions and 27 share whilst the Apprenticeship recruitment post was most popular on Twitter with almost 7k impressions, 13 retweets and 41 click links.

In June 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. The performance pages of the website [opens in a new window] have been updated with relevant reports and case studies. The team also continued to provide business as usual performance and area stats support across all service areas and responded to all queries in regards to insurance claims and escalations.

The Customer Services team continued to deliver customer services in June across all channels. Call response time target was challenged this month with recruitment and absence pressures impacting this and with sustained volumes of calls continuing. A total of 181 direct messages through social media were received and actioned (116 Facebook, 65 Twitter), up 40% on the previous month. Digital channel services also include email and web forms, and the team were able to meet all appointment requests for face to face services through the Community Hubs, including Registration appointments and Licensing appointments.

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 assist the Ukrainian Refugee Support Team, providing initial payments of £200 for each refugee and grants for those arriving without any clothing. The team have also been testing the new online Council Tax System which will go live later this year and allow secure access by residents to their Council Tax information.

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 team have resolved over 1500 service requests for the month of June.  ICT continue to support the migration of services to Microsoft 365 in partnership with the Business and Digital Change Team. The end of the school term allowed the ICT Team to begin the process of moving equipment from Boclair Academy into the new school, as well as continuing to install and configure new ICT Services in preparation for the new academic year.

The Shared Services team continue to provide support across all Council services. The Education team completed the recalculation of all Early Years invoices to account for the Jubilee closure and continued to support the school placing request process. The General Team prepared for the processing of Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants for the application process opening on the 26th June. The Letting team continue to allocate lets under the annual application process. The Transport team evaluated the tenders for transport provision for academic year 2022/23.  

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Communications & Engagement

• Launched 2022/2023 opening of applications for; Free School Meals, Clothing Grants and Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Schemes, including creating webforms, updating the website, social media, and media releases.
• Launched consultation on provision of Free Period Products, developing and promoting the survey, and raising awareness across digital channels as well as in Hubs, Halls, Community Centres, Leisure Centres and Libraries
• Supported and promoted the launch of East Dunbartonshire Partnership Approach to Water Safety (EDPAWS), including co-ordinating a photocall, social media, and filming and creating accompanying video.
• Design of key Planning documents including Parking Management Plan, Planning Guidance Framework and Local Development Plan 2
• Promotion of Council support for key dates and initiatives including Armed Forces Day and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Corporate Performance

• Year-end performance for 2021/22 was successfully reported in the June committee cycle
• The performance pages of the Council website have been updated to reflect the completed 2021/22 position, including year-end performance reports and annual customer services and complaints reports
• An animated video showcasing the Council’s corporate priorities and performance was published on YouTube and the Council website
• Work continues to update the operational risk registers which are due to be formally reported to Council following the summer recess.
• The team is supporting ongoing project work in relation to the reporting and analysis of data held on council systems.

Customer Services

• Continued focus on training of new agents on all aspects of customer service delivery and induction training on call handling, and further recruitment to vacancies.
• Supporting the transition of applications for School Clothing Grants to Shared Services, including knowledge transfer and process training.
• Continuing to deliver Registration Services, with increases in death registrations over the month consistent with national trend and sustained increase in marriage paperwork registrations following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

Revenues and Benefits

• Continue to progress the upgrade of the Council Tax System including new Document Management System and online Council Tax alongside Business and Digital Change colleagues.
• The team issued over 3200 Council Tax bills, 1200 reminders, around 1000 final notices. Over 200 Non Domestic Rates bills were also issued.
• The Debtors team raised around 2000 invoices and over 1200 reminders
• Continue to administer the revised Self Isolation Support Grant applications and payments.

ICT Services

• Configured and tested new ICT services for Boclair Academy including firewall, core switches and Wifi equipment and prepared for the relocation of ICT assets to the new school.
• Built and configured new hosts for Oracle database systems in preparation for upgrade to latest version.
• Additional second tier storage configured and installed at both data centres.
• First draft of specification of requirements for upgrade of the Council’s public space CCTV facilities produced, prior to going to market in August for the supply and implementation.
• Completed MS Exchange and Outlook testing for the M365 project

Shared Services

• Completed the financial reassessment of almost 400 care home residents and communicated the results to the families and the care homes.
• Evaluated ASN School Transport tenders and sent the winning contractors’ notifications to   colleagues in Procurement
• Issued 350 invoices for various Social Care services including day care and supported living.
• Updated the EMA information on our website, notified schools and opened the application process for the new academic year.
• Jubilee recalculation for Early Years invoices – resource intensive process.
• Preparation of information for Placing Request Appeals.
• Annual letting applications closed 1st week in June. Allocation process started and almost finalised.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust

Overview of Progress

Leisure Centres

• Preparations for the new Allander continue with urgency as the completion of phase one draws closer.

Libraries

• For period 3 there were 23,974 visits in person and digital usage was 51,762. Both indicators show an increase on period 2, and represent 95% of target. This is an increase of 10% on period 2. Visits in person are beginning to show stronger recovery, with 4,913 more visits during P3, compared with P2. 

Period 3

Target: 79,675

Actual: 75,736

Heritage and Arts

• For period 3 there were 1,344 visits in person and digital usage was 2,317. Visits in person increased by 57% compared with P2.  This is predominantly due to three exhibition openings during P3. Digital usage was down slightly on P2. Overall, the indicator is on target.

Period 3

Target 3,655

Actual 3,661

Sports Development

• Sports Development term time classes finished on Saturday 25 June for the summer with weekly term time numbers down overall by 14, many of these cancelled as they were moving out of the area.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Leisure Centres

• The initiative to discount the five a side football pitches at the Leisuredrome and Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre has started well with the many youngsters aged 8 – 16 years taking to the pitches during off peak times.
• Staff at Huntershill Sports Hub have been tasked with raising the profile of the tennis courts and boost participation referencing the tennis offer available until the end of August.
• The fitness team at Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre are exploring opportunities to introduce new group exercises within the gym.

Sports Development

• The Home Portal went live this period which gave customers access to updates on their children’s progress through swimming lessons as well as the ability to move classes where appropriate. Feedback from those signed up already has been positive with comments like the one below from Joyce:

“I’ve just logged onto the portal and wanted to write to say thank you. What a fabulous resource! It is so nice to see how the children are progressing and when the next class is scheduled.  Thanks for all you do.  Have a great summer.”

• Access to Home Portal has also enabled all services to move children through the age groups more freely and will allow staff to focus on increasing capacity for the new term in August.
• The coach recruitment drive continued this month with services waiting on references being returned in order to complete the paperwork and get coaches started in advance of the new term.
• Summer bookings continued to roll in this month with many activities fully booked before the holidays began.

Education

Overview of Progress

School Planning and Improvement Team

• Final preparations are taking place for opening of the new Boclair Academy in August 2022. An additional three Inset days have been granted by the Scottish Government to support the transition to the new school building.
• The Balmuildy Primary project team worked with learners, staff and the parent council to present design options for the new school.  Stakeholder views were gathered through pupil workshops, discussions with the senior leadership team and wider staff team and a virtual consultation with the parent council. All feedback has been collated and analysed.
• Feasibility work continues to progress well in the Bearsden Primary and Milngavie Primary refurbishment projects. Stakeholder engagement sessions have been arranged for August 2022.
• A total of 70 placing request appeal hearings were held during the month of May with the independent appeals panel. Further details on this will be presented to a future Education Committee.

Early Years and Supporting Families

• A review of staffing models resulted in over 20 vacancies (full time and part time) being advertised to support the continued delivery of 1140 funded hours. All new build centres are almost at capacity and additional staffing will be appointed to support this increase.
• The Supporting Families service continues to provide advice and assistance to parents. 58 families are being supported through 1:1 interventions, with 18 new requests for assistance being received in June.
• A review of professional learning for all Early Years Centres and providers took place in June, to evaluate training and inform provision for next session.   Of those who responded, most indicated that they had accessed training from the Early Years Professional Learning Calendar. Feedback on professional learning was positive, noting how it impacted positively on children and families.
• Family Learning and Early Years Leadership were improved through short life working groups, enhancing a consistent approach to family learning and nurture across the 12 schools involved in the Nurture Pilot. This work supported Family Learning Assistants to improve their knowledge, confidence in family learning and ability to access external support for families.
• Early Years Quality Improvement Officers, Head Teachers and Depute Heads of Centres worked together to develop an extensive Early Years leadership resource pack. This will support existing and new Early Years leaders in a wide range of themes, including induction and mentoring, quality assurance and professional learning.
• The STEM/Transition programme in the Milngavie locality has been a great success. Three centres and two schools evaluated the achievements of the programme and impact on learners by completing a ‘Test of Change’ and analysing data from staff and child questionnaires. The feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive with all schools and centres involved committing to continuing the woodwork transition project next session.

Primary, Secondary and ASN Schools

• The Autism Adviser Model, led by the Educational Psychology Service, continues to support children and young people with social and communication needs. There were 2-3 online sessions delivered for the Autism Advisers in each sector (early years, primary and secondary), delivered by a member of the Educational Psychology Service and the Outreach team, with guest inputs from colleagues in the Occupational Therapy team and information shared from the National Autistic Society, with a focus on Autism Awareness week. Although attendance was variable, those who attended the sessions reported finding them useful to support learners with additional support needs.
• 8 secondary school Wellbeing/Guidance teachers participated in “What’s the Harm?” multi-agency training to support staff who are working with children and young people who may be self-harming. Staff participated in two days of face to face awareness raising and skills training. This was delivered through a multi-agency approach from our Educational Psychology Service, Health, Social Work and Police Scotland. The wider Educational Psychology team participated in a virtual self-harm awareness raising course.  These sessions were very highly evaluated by participants, with all participants rating themselves as feeling more able to respond appropriately to someone who is self-harming and feeling more able to work more effectively with someone who is self-harming.
• 12 primary schools were centrally funded to set up Nurture Groups and focus on developing whole school nurture. This Pilot Programme was led by 2 educational psychologists, with support from a trainee educational psychologist. 

67 children and young people were supported in Core Nurture Groups, all of whom had identified barriers to their wellbeing. All evaluations of the Nurture Pilot indicate that the groups were effective in their aim of improving children's wellbeing. In addition, each school provided targeted wellbeing support for other children through short term wellbeing groups. 

All 12 of the Nurture Pilot groups focussed on developing nurture at whole school level.

• 27 staff from 3 secondary schools participated in Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training, across 2 days. The training was co-delivered by Education Scotland and 3 EDC staff who had completed the train the trainer programme. All secondary schools have demonstrated a significant commitment to the MVP programme, releasing staff, both those participating and for schools already on their journey releasing staff to deliver. All EDC secondary schools now able to deliver the programme.
• 106 Support Learning Assistants attended Inclusion Workshop training on the themes of Young Carers, Wellbeing & Language & Communication. Feedback was as follows:

99% of attendees felt they were confident or very confident in implementing Language and Communication strategies into practice (an increase from 89% prior to training);

97% of attendees felt confident in implementing Wellbeing supports (an increase from 80% prior to training); and

93% of attendees felt confident or very confident in implementing Young Carers support (an increase from 62% prior to training).

• Schools continue to develop inclusive practice in their drive to mitigate poverty. An evaluation of school support in place in June 2022 demonstrates examples of good practice that is continuing to develop in our schools. Examples reflect a drive to mitigate poverty through a continued focus on improvement aligned to Cost of the School Day (COSD) guidance and the use of quality assurance systems to ensure attainment and achievement for all.
• Millersneuk Primary School came 4th in the Euroquiz Final which took place at the Scottish Parliament on 13th June 2022.
• 9 teachers submitted their case studies to complete the Improving Our Classroom (IOC) core professional learning programme. 30 Masters credits and recognition from the GTCs will be awarded for a pass.
• 4 teachers participated in a Structured Professional Discussion to compete the West Partnership Delivering Mentorship Course.15 Masters Credits will be awarded for a pass.
• EDC are participating in the National Quality Assurance and Moderation Support Officer training programme delivered by Education Scotland. We have been allocated and filled 8 places and have requested more places due to demand from senior leaders from all sectors.
• 5 primary schools and 4 secondary schools have been successful in gaining their Reading Schools accreditation from the Scottish Book Trust. Two of these schools are advancing to silver and gold and a further 18 schools are working towards gaining their accreditation.
• Over 100 new probationers participated in an online meeting to welcome them to East Dunbartonshire. Presentations were led by the Interim Chief Education Officer, Interim Quality Improvement Manager and Quality Improvement Officer who manages probationers.
• Secondary schools submitted Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels for literacy and numeracy to the Scottish Government for the first time in over two years for S3 pupils. This data will be analysed to review the impact of Covid-19 and inform future interventions to improve literacy and numeracy levels.
• All secondary schools began their new timetables in June. S3 pupils moved to S4 to begin their Senior Phase and started work on their SQA courses.
• Secondary schools welcomed almost all Primary 7 pupils to transition events, enabling Primary 7 pupils to experience following their S1 timetable in person.
• All secondary schools celebrated pupil attainment and wider achievements (both within and out with school) at prize giving events for both Broad General Education (BGE) and Senior Phase pupils.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

• A number of 6 month temporary paid work experience jobs in the Council were advertised. This work experience is aimed at helping the long term unemployed back into work. Participants will be paid the living wage and will also receive accredited training and employability support to secure further employment once the placement finishes. We are also working with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation (SCVO) to create similar jobs within the voluntary sector. Funding for this has come from the Scottish Government Long Term Unemployed programme.
• An end of term celebration of learning was held to mark achievements by adult literacy, numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages  learners. The theme of the event was "Visiting Scotland" and learners presented stories they had written.

Key Achievements and Areas of Focus

• All major asset projects are progressing well. The new Boclair Academy will open in August 2022.  The next area of focus for other projects (Balmuildy, Bearsden, Milngavie, Westerton and Lenzie) is feasibility and stakeholder engagement.
• The Early Years team will build on the success of the STEM/Transition programme in the Milngavie locality. The team will also consider feedback to enhance models of professional learning, focusing on the key themes of  literacy, numeracy, play, nurture and planning.
• The Educational Psychology Service has supported all sectors with high quality professional learning. The Nurture pilot in 12 primary schools has  been very successful in improving wellbeing outcomes for children in Nurture groups and other children who have received targeted support. The Educational Psychology team have created a 3 year implementation plan to support all Early Years establishments to understand and implement the Nurture Principles. This sets out programme content, implementation and evaluation measures. The Educational Psychology Service has also created a 3 year plan to support the implementation of Nurture across early years, primary and secondary schools.
• There is evidence from across all sectors that all staff have opportunities to participate in high quality professional learning, and that this is improving outcomes for children and young people.
• S6 Pupils from Bearsden Academy, Turnbull High School and Bishopbriggs Academy have joined the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) working group for the 2022-23 session. This group aims to develop community understanding of different forms of communication used within EDC.
• The Quality Improvement Team will work with schools to analyse Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (ACEL) data for learners in P1, P4, P7 and S3. This will inform future interventions to improve literacy and numeracy.

Finance & Audit

Overview of Progress

The month of June saw continued focus on year end activities across Finance and Audit. For Finance this involved following the year end timetable and procedures with the accounts being finalised and passed to the external auditors, Audit Scotland.

Internal Audit have been focussing on presenting the Annual Audit Report, the Annual Follow Up Report and the Plan for 2022/23 to the Council and the HSCP respective audit committees. An opinion of reasonable assurance has been provided to the Audit & Risk Management Committee in June 2022.

The Internal Audit Plan for 2022/23 was agreed at the Audit & Risk Management Committee and some initial scoping work has been carried out for 2022/23 audits, whilst audits that were ongoing at the year end are being progressed towards their conclusion.

In addition to undertaking investigations as a result of referrals received the Corporate Fraud Team 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

• A key achievement has been the drafting of the Council’s accounts and sharing these with the external auditors in line with agreed timescales.
• 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.
• Mugdock Country Park Draft Unaudited Accounts were published as a technical note on 9th June.
• Year end audit opinions have been presented to the Council’s Audit & Risk Management Committee and to the HSCP’s Performance, Audit and Risk Committee.
• Initial work has been carried out on the 2022/23 Internal Audit Plan, with areas of focus agreed by the Audit & Risk Management Committee in June 2022.
• Corporate Fraud are carrying out a review the highest debtors of Council tax.  It has been established that some of these properties were registered using fictitious names. Work is underway to establish the true occupants of the properties in order to safeguard the Council’s income.
• Initial steps have been taken in appraising the options for potentially replacing the General Ledger system.
• Recruitment and retention is becoming a challenge for the 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.

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:

• Commenced development of a new Carers Strategy
• Festival of Celebration – ‘Reflections’ exhibition of autistic artists depicting their experiences of the pandemic through their art work
• Survey on quality of respite provision for adults and children as part of the review of learning disability services undertaken
• Primary Care Mental Health Team service evaluation showed that 70% rated the service excellent with a further 24% rating it good
• Participation in and promotion of:
  - Carers Week

- Scottish Breastfeeding Week
- Men’s Mental Health Week
- Cervical Screening Week

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 30th June 2022, the Housing Service:

• Has 51 members of staff:
  
  • Estates - 7 (0 vacancies)
  • Strategy - 13 (2 vacancies advertised)
  • Rents - 12 (1 on maternity leave)
  • Homelessness - 14 (2 vacancies and 1 maternity leave)
  • Management - 5 (0 vacancies)
     
• Actively manages 3747 social rented homes, broken down into 3691 mainstream accommodation and 56 homeless temporary accommodation. 
• Maintains a housing list of 3104 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.
   
• 36 properties have been let:
  
  • 8 New Builds
  • 25 mainstream
  • 1 buy back     (Bought from the open market)
  • 2 HRH-HRA (temporary accommodation converted back to permanent)
     
• 36 lets to the following queues:
  
  • 6 transfers
  • 2 waiting list
  • 28 homeless

Key achievements/Areas of focus

Strategy, Systems and Performance

Key Achievements

• Submitted HSAR (Housing Statistical Annual Return) to the Scottish Government.
• Working closely with the Change Team to progress process mapping across all areas of Housing for the new IHMS.
• Strategy and Performance Adviser Post and System Development Officer posts are both advertised.
• Performance Monitoring Officers developing automated sheets and dashboards to ensure a more robust method to monitor all housing performance.
• First draft of Local Housing Strategy reviewed and amendments in progress.
• Liaising with Homelessness and Prevention Team to consult on the Short Term Lets Policy.
• 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.
• Working with NEC consultant to produce solution design documents for the new IHMS system.

Areas of focus

• IHMS progression.
• Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 development.
• Performance Monitoring.

Housing Operations – Estates and Tenant Participation

Key Achievements

• Percentage of tenancy sustainment has decreased from 100% in May 2022 to 94.40% in June 2022.  One tenant did not sustain their tenancy in their first year due to death.
• 16 new Anti-social cases received and 15 open Anti-social cases were resolved.
• 16 nominations to Registered Social Landlords for consideration for allocation of their stock.
• 0 decants took place.
• 1 mutual exchange complete (EDC tenant with Hillhead HA tenant).
• All Housing Officers undertook training provided by Police Scotland - session was to raise awareness around Serious Organised Crime/ Drug dealing/ Cannabis cultivations/ Human trafficking signs/ County Lines/ Cuckooing/ Fraud and signposting for reporting.
• Percentage of tenancies refused was 26% which has decreased from 45% in May.
• Void rent loss has decreased since May, joint working with the void team continues.

Areas of focus

• Increased focus on garden and open space estate management during summer months.
• Improve void re-let times through joint working with void team.

Housing Operations – Rents

Key Achievements

• 7 tenants assisted and successfully awarded payment from Hardship Fund towards rent payment totalling £6,041.28.
• Tenant Participation Officer liaising with Policy Officers to review and produce the new Tenant Participation Strategy.
• 4 Notice of Proceedings served.
• 1 Court Actions raised.
• 1 Eviction carried out.

Areas of focus

• Active Tenant Rent Arrears are £1,283,052.00 which is a decrease on May’s figure (£1,302,192.24).
• Former Tenant Arrears are £703,395.84 which is an increase from May’s figure (£683,993.82).
• Tenant Participation Strategy Development – two consultation group sessions being held in July with tenants.
• Development and publishing of the summer issue of Taking Part newsletter.

Homelessness and Prevention

Key Achievements

• There were 30 homelessness applications taken
• 0 applicants waiting more than 3 years for offer of settled accommodation 
• 18 calls to homelessness out of hours service
• Rent Deposit Guarantee/Private Sector Scheme
  • 3 referrals
  • 1 housed
• Temporary Accommodation hardship fund - 6 households  and £11, 932.07 awarded
• Landlord Registration - 148 actions
• new applications
  • 66 renewals
  • 63 updates
• Committee Papers approved for Rent increase for Lead Tenancy Landlords and Draft Short Term Lets Policy and consultation

Land Planning and Development

Overview of Progress

Land Planning & Development have progressed a number of significant work streams during June 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. Early analysis of potential actions and objectives, in collaboration with internal services and key external partners, is ongoing. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on a Circular Economy Bill, further information will be provided to Elected Members.
• The Land Planning Policy team continued to support the Examination of LDP2 by liaising with the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) on procedural matters and responding to Further Information Requests from the Reporter. It is expected that the examination will be concluded by the end of June 2022, at which point the Policy team will commence adoption procedures.
• Following June 2022 PNCA Committee approval of six guidance documents, design and publication processes commenced.   
• Following June 2022 PNCA Committee approval of the Council’s Parking Management Plan, the Plan can be found on this page and can now be quoted in correspondence.  

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. An engagement session for community organisations and businesses was held on 28th June to inform the development of the area-wide dimension of the Climate Action Plan
• Work is continuing towards the local launch of the Re-Heat Project with Scottish Power Energy Networks and E.On which will provide an opportunity for low-carbon electrified heat and smart control to be introduced to 50 homes in East Dunbartonshire.  Communications are currently being finalised and eligible households will be invited to participate shortly.
• 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. 

GIS & IDOX Development Team

• 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 provision of data to the education service.
• Street naming and numbering is underway for the Robertson homes development at Bearsden Golf Club.

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 is now complete and an online exhibition of the plan will take place over the summer months 2022.

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 is concluding on design work for the Canniesburn Toll Improvement Project. Work will then commence on procuring contractors for the construction period once designs are completed.
• Construction work has begun on upgrading the Strathkelvin Railway Path between Kirkintilloch and Lennoxtown. Officers continue to work closely with the contractor to understand how the project is progressing. Due to the nature of the project, extent of improvements and unforeseen circumstances, the project completion date has been delayed. However, given progress on the project so far, it is hoped that the section between Milton of Campsie and Kirkintilloch can be opened ahead of the section between Milton of Campsie and Lennoxtown. 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 78 applications and validated 58 applications. The Building Standards team have received 124 building warrants and approved 89 applications. The Enforcement Team opened 8 new cases and closed 11. 
• The Building Standards team have had to manage a high workload whilst carrying 3 vacancies over this reporting period. In addition the Validation Team have 1 vacancy and the Planning Team have 2 and a half vacancies. 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 however it is recognised that there is national recruitment challenge. This is being discussed at a national level with the Scottish Government, HOPS, LABBS and universities.
• The Development Applications team prepared reports for the June meeting of the Planning Board and delivered a virtual Enhanced Briefing session for members in advance of the Planning Board meeting.
• The Development Applications team provided a Planning Advisor for the June meeting of the Local Review Body which heard three cases.
• The Development Applications team also helped to deliver Local Member training in relation to Planning Board and Local Review Body.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• A focus on recruitment for Development Management in the next few months
• Working on the development of new business support products designed to help businesses having difficulties in recovery, sustainability or diversification.
• It is expected that the examination will be concluded by the end of June 2022, at which point the Policy team will commence adoption procedures.

Legal and Democratic Services

Overview of Progress

In June, the Service continued to roll out comprehensive training to all 22 elected Members. This training was predominantly devised and delivered by officers within Legal & Democratic Services and included support from other service areas where appropriate. In addition, the Service administered and delivered a cycle of governance meetings, including all service committees, quasi judicial boards and a meeting of the Council.  During this time, the Service also administered and supported the hearing of school Placing Request Appeals. This is a huge undertaking for Legal & Democratic services given the logistical, administrative and advisory requirements.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• During June, the Teams processed 7 Contract awards, 35 taxi licences, and 11 grants. The number of licence applications and grants show an increase on the previous month.
• Of the 35 taxi licence applications considered, 2 were refused and so may result in appeals to the Civic Government Appeals Board. 
• In light of the 100% performance, it is not proposed to take any steps at this time other than to continue to monitor progress against the set PIs
• Conclusion of work with colleagues in Environmental Health resulting in the revocation of the Bearsden Air Quality Management Area with the consent of the Scottish Government and SEPA.
• Advising the Placing Request Appeals Committee (and separately advising Education) on a large number of placing requests and advising the Traffic Management Appeals Board.
• Commencement of statutory process for review of the taxi fares.
• Completion of final phases of purchase of 26 social housing units from CALA's Orchid Park development.

Neighbourhood Services

Overview of Progress

The Waste Team has continued the front line service operations for the collection of over 400,000 assorted household bins over the month of June, 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. This site has seen a significant rise in both materials and number of visitors in the past two years. In order to keep our visitors and staff safe, an online booking system was introduced in August 2021 which has received positive feedback. Officers are currently working to upgrade plant and facilities at the site in order to better manage capacity and the increased recycling materials for treatment and disposal.

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 2000 tonnes of waste through this contract in June, 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.

The service has continued to experience challenges throughout the period due to the requirements for social distancing within vehicles and premises. However, having now reviewed working arrangements and shift patterns for the fleet workshop and front line service support, the service have returned to normal shift patterns within the fleet workshops. 

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.

In addition to the this work 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

• Joint working with the Communications team and our food recycling provider to develop campaign tools/videos to enhance recycling performance in this area.
• Secured new providers for the collection and recycling of both the Councils Inert and Scrap metal waste streams.
• Secured funding from Zero Waste Scotland for Waste Compositional Analysis of the Councils Waste/Recycling to start November 2022, currently at the planning stages.
• Attendance at various Zero Waste Scotland meetings: Communications Event / Route Map for Waste.
• Successful completion of the recruitment programme for all seasonal operational employees to support the service through to November.
• Successful ongoing delivery of the Clyde Valley Residual Waste contract, diverting 2000 tonnes of general waste for ongoing treatment within the period.
• Provided assisted waste and recycling collection to over 4,000 of our elderly and infirm residents on a weekly basis.
• Undertake work in conjunction with 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 100% 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 June, 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 supporting the delivery of training to Members, including comprehensive training on the work and processes of the HR Appeals Board. 

The Service was also involved in ongoing procurement work, and the administration, processing and payment of family support payments which are critical in supporting some of the most vulnerable families in East Dunbartonshire. In addition the Service implemented a schedule of rates which is a keep tool in delivering a fair access policy in relation to HSCP services. 

The Health and Safety team continues to carry out its corporate advisory role supporting services throughout the council concerning the planning of safe works and training, its supervisory role while works are being undertaken and leading on incident investigation and recording.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Procurement, HROD and Commissioning

• Completed Family Support Payments and Free School Meals Payments to approx 1,500 local families.
• Concerted effort with providers to ensure all eligible Provider Sustainability claims were submitted and processed prior to end of June deadline and cessation of this funding support stream
• Based on Scottish Living Wage uplifts, established a Schedule of Rates which supports delivery of the HSCP’s Fair Access Policy
• Commenced work on a Commissioning Governance Framework – a comprehensive procedural document geared towards supporting and improving commissioning practice across the HSCP whilst ensuring on-going compliance with Contract Standing Orders  
• Delivery of training on HR Appeals to Members
• Ongoing support to services in assessing working practices with a view to moving back to pre- pandemic arrangements where appropriate
• Ongoing engagement with TUs in support of good industrial relations
• Supporting the recruitment of probationer teachers which is a significant logistical and administrative process

Business & Digital Change

• Progress preparatory work for deployment of Microsoft Outlook and Office 
• Develop governance and resource arrangements for Oracle ERP project 
• Commence route to market for CRM and CSM (Website) using the Software Value Added Re-seller framework (SVAR).   
• Solution design and build for Integrated Housing Management System (IHMS)    

Health and Safety

• CDM Client site visits for new Boclair Academy including Fire Safety arrangements
• A range of workplace risk assessments including for Mugdock Park and for Greenspace and Streetscene including Violence and Aggression and Exhumation
• A range of occupational health through the health surveillance programme including for education’s musical services, respiratory face fitting, noise and vibration assessments and for musculoskeletal disorders.
• Scaffold site inspections and Roads resurfacing inspections at various locations

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 June the service has continued to actively engage in the local Co-Production arrangement with Police Scotland. This 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 continue to service large numbers of enquiries and investigations relating to a variety of environmental public health topics, ranging from programmed food safety visits to responding to public health nuisance requests from the local community. The team have begun the seasonal monitoring of Blue-Green Algae in inland waters and are undertaking a health and safety intervention at local restaurants and takeaways.  Furthermore, the Environmental Health staff are still conducting a number of housing visits each week to support the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees.

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 June 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 this team have therefore been very much engaged in the delivery of services in relation to antisocial behaviour, youth disorder, neighbour disputes, environmental incivilities, dog control, decriminalised parking enforcement, fly-tipping, mediation 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 Partnerships

The Team works in partnership with communities and organisations focussing on a range of outcomes within the East Dunbartonshire Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP). The team provides the overall management, development and delivery of Community Planning in East Dunbartonshire. The overall purpose of the team is to support long lasting projects that make a difference to the lives of those in East Dunbartonshire.

In June, support was provided to community groups across our most deprived communities, (Place Areas) to help develop strong and sustainable local community led impact. This work is adaptable to local need and includes advice, signposting and support with funding, training, confidence building, engagement and review and refresh of locality plans (Place Plans). The analysis and coding of the consultation The Locality Plan consultation responses have been analysed and practitioners from council team are working closely with those in EDVA and HSCP to prepare high level outcomes that will be priorities and themes in the refreshed plans going forward for the 4 local areas. 

The team continue to support meeting the council’s public sector equality duty and have progressed with communities of interest priority actions within the British Sign Language Plan, Equalities Mainstreaming Outcomes and Gaelic Plan. Further, work is also ongoing in relation to Year 5 planning of the Child Poverty Report.

Working with the Home Office, Scottish Government and with COSLA then the team continue coordination and delivery of resettlement for VPRS (Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme) including developing processes and procedures to deliver support for displaced Ukrainian persons under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and Warm Scottish Welcome (Super Scotland Sponsor Scheme).

Community Testing

This local authority team was created in response to request from Scottish Government to support the COVID response and duties placed on local authorities, working closely with Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Board and also with ED HSCP.

The role of the team is temporary and has evolved and responded over the time of the pandemic. This has included provision of testing locally and also supporting the roll out of vaccinations for covid and for flu throughout East Dunbartonshire, and to residents of all ages.

Notably, the key health protection response ongoing for recovery is vaccination. During June close working and discussion has continued with GGC NHS Bd in relation to the next phase of future vaccination, which will be required by Scottish Government and based on the evidence and science.   Vaccination clinics are currently established in Kirkintilloch and Milngavie town halls. The ‘ask’ of the Scottish Government and Health Board will determine the future delivery post recess.

Accordingly, the Community Testing Team continues to support national public health work and respond to the requests of Scottish Government and also of NHS Board in relation to testing programme and requirements and vaccination roll out.

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.
• Assisting in the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war through provision of housing visits and assessments.
• Inspection of inland waters for the presence of harmful blue-green algae.
• Sampling of local private water supplies to test drinking water standards.
• Delivery of field responses in relation to all community safety matters (e.g. pest control, fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour and youth disorder, control of dogs and CCTV deployment).
• Continued development of effective and efficient service delivery in relation to all Decriminalised Parking Enforcement with delivery of targeted enforcement activity in priority areas.
• Delivery of Junior Wardens Scheme at Millersneuk Primary School – the scheme is aimed at Primary 6 and 7 pupils and promotes good citizenship, with the achievements of the children being recognised through the Dynamic Youth Awards Programme.
• 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.
• Community Wardens supporting the New Roots Gardening project which seeks to address social isolation and difficulties in participation whilst trying to help build independent living skills for those with a learning disability.
• Community Wardens supporting the local Foodbanks including assisting with emergency deliveries where required.
• Delivery of effective field responses in relation to all trading standards and licensing matters (e.g. doorstep crime, animal health and welfare, petroleum and fireworks).
• 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 alcohol at licensed premises in order to check compliance levels in relation to age verification policies and procedures.
• Engagement with education colleagues and the public on product safety matters relating to hood cords in primary school leavers clothing.
• Provision of community capacity support using a Community Learning and Development approach across our Place areas and communities of interest.
• Led on the review and refresh of Locality Plans (Place Plans) working closely with EDVA and HSCP- to be reported imminently
• Delivering resettlement support under both VPRS and Homes for Ukraine agenda’s
• Development of collaborative partnership support to hosts under the Homes for Ukraine agenda.
• Management and monitoring of our Strategic Partnership Agreements
• On-going support to our deaf community to enable community led local solutions to national shortage of BSL interpreters.
• Work to Scottish Government and Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Board agenda in delivery of a public health response in both testing and vaccination provision across East Dunbartonshire
• Oversee the Care for People support, engaging with third sector and partners, including community response and support
• Coordinate the delivery of vaccination clinics including organising operational arrangements of buildings, facilities and stewards for customer interactions and queue management

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 resurfacing 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 herbicide treatments 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 also manage and perform burials in the eight operational cemeteries. The team have commenced the 2022 Care of Garden Scheme – Care of Gardens Service | East Dunbartonshire Council.

Streetscene Technical Support Team

The team are preparing the required documents to progress the procurement exercise associated with the various projects. Liaise and advise various community groups regarding Environmental Improvement Projects including path improvement, play area renovations, cemetery and allotment development.

Mugdock Country Park

The team continue to work on the development of the 2022-27 Mugdock Strategy as well as progressing several quotes for various improvements across the Country Park. Year on year the June 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)
  
  • Heather Ave
  • Woodside Ave
  • Roslyn Rd
  • Main St Milngavie
• EDC External Resurfacing Programme (coal tar location)
  
  • Muirpark Dr
• EDC Street Lighting Capital/Replacement Projects
  
  • Buchanan Street, Milngavie
  • Braemar Crescent / Birkhall Drive, Bearsden
  • Lime Grove / Birch Drive / Douglas Gardens, Lenzie
  • Melville Gardens / Morar Crescent, Bishopbriggs
  • Rubislaw Drive / Lochview Road, Bearsden

*Some of the work listed was completed in June, 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

• Continuing with the river restoration at the Glazert.
• 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
• Etive Crescent, Bishopbriggs
• Brora Drive, Bishopbriggs
• Orinsay Crescent, Bearsden
• Boclair Road, Bearsden
• Hillcrest Road, Bearsden
• Leven Drive, Bearsden
• Additional Capital works completed at Campsie Drive, Bearsden

Development

• Continuing with road inspections at development sites.
• Asset collection on new developments.
• Processing road opening and temporary traffic light permits
• Managing the area-coring programme with Socotec. The EDC area is just about complete with the Ayrshire Council area to follow.

Structures

• The Structures Engineer retired and recruitment of a replacement continues to be a problem due to an apparent lack of suitable trained and competent candidates. This is not an isolated issue to EDC, but appears to be an industry wide issue.
• General inspections ongoing.
• Completed projects include the replacement footbridge at Westermains Avenue Kirkintilloch
• Retaining wall strengthening at Tower road Torrance
• Graffiti removal to Cawder footbridge Bishopbriggs.
• Ongoing works include Fluchter road culvert strengthening and Fintry Crescent Bishopbriggs
• Retaining wall strengthening
• Liaising with Network Rail for upcoming works and inspections to the rail bridges at Lenzie and Bearsden.

Traffic

• Recruitment for a Senior Traffic Officer underway.
• Various temporary road closure associated with Public Utilities and our Maintenance Section in relation to capital carriageway resurfacing works.
• New footway works carried out on the north side of Wester Cleddens at Kintessack Place.
• Preparing an updated Traffic Regulation Order for changes to disabled parking spaces. This will go to PNCA for approval.
• Testing new crash analysis software and arranging traffic surveys that will guide road safety proposals.
• Refurbishing road markings at, among other places, Lenzie Rd, Kirkintilloch Rd and Lindsaybeg Rd, Lenzie.
• Processing licensing requests for outdoor markets, second hand vehicle sales, and public entertainment events.
• Providing observations on planning applications.
• Responding to freedom of information requests.

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.
• Uplifting of waste material following litter collection by Community Groups, supporting Community clean-ups.
• 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.  Continuing to measure gardens of new applicants.
• Updating of RMMS system recording COG cuts and coding new customers.
• Housing one off grass cuts
• Cutting of scatter flats, Lead Tenancies and temporary accommodation.
• Checking & clearing of culvert grills.
• Inspecting and carrying out minor repairs to play park equipment.
• Responding to crm service requests / complaints / enquiries.
• Completion of seasonal bedding planting.
• Maintenance of hanging baskets.
• Right of Way maintenance.
• Completion of first cut of road verges by an external contractor.
• Invasive non-native species eradication (herbicide of Giant Hogweed and Japanese knotweed).
• Initial marking of pitches; tidying of jump pits.

Streetscene Technical Support

• Statement of Requirements SOR, for the Luggie, Allander and Parkburn as part of the Kelvin Tributaries returned to SEPA for review from their Technical flooding team.
• Formal award for Climate Ready Park at Woodhill & Etive Open space. Pre start to follow stand still period on the 21st of July.
• Pro formas submitted to procurement for the upgrade or creation of the following play areas – Bishopbriggs Public Park, Westerton, Mosshead and Waterside.
• Input into Play Sufficiency report, Climate Action Plan and Tree planting with external agencies with EDC’s Sustainability Team.
• Attendance at Water Safety Launch meeting with partner agencies.
• Long list produce of sites to be restored as part of the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Grant. Technical note to be produced.
• Review of Gavin’s Mill group concerning flooding and Lennox Park completed.
• Lenzie Moss Boardwalk contract awarded, pre-start meeting to be arranged.
• KLR and BRR works now in its third cycle of grass cutting, spraying and waste removal.
• Review of cross-working partnership as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative for verge cleaning.
• Synthetic 3G and grass football pitch contract – cleaning and disinfection programme progressed.
• Installation of plaque for Beatrice Clugston, Old Aisle Cemetery.
• Ongoing surveying and removal of dangerous trees or limbs; scheduling of tree works in new financial year. 
• Finalisation of specification for Horticultural framework tender.
• Responding to a number of planning applications
• Doune Crescent Play Area Upgrade completed and opened
• Peel Park Restoration Project almost completed awaiting wild flower seed mix and other components
• Oakburn community meeting regarding growing spaces.
• Pump and fountain repaired in Milngavie.
• Input into Additional Capital investment for drainage, active travel/access and footway surfacing.
• Headstone stabilisation Audit, Audit team discussed next KPI and recommendations for start of July.
• Lenzie Moss draining contractor started on improve flows 
• The team continues to respond to high volume of open space, tree and bereavement enquires, along with planning application consultations and complaints.
• Bill of Quantities tenancy properties listings updated
• The team continues to respond to high volume of open space, tree and bereavement enquires, along with planning application consultations and complaints.

Mugdock Country Park

• Draft Mugdock Strategy 2022-27 is almost complete and is being reviewed at present;
• Visit from the North American Clan Graham Society at Mugdock Castle and Stirling Highland Hotel included music, sword fight demonstration and ceilidh;
• Funding secured through Better Places Fund for seasonal staff to patrol the Park and these are being recruited currently;
• Potential partnership project with Scottish Water at the Reservoirs in the process of being agreed;
• Summer events programme taking place during school holidays including Wildlife Weans, Sensational Safaris and Guided Walks;
• Bracken control being carried out on Drumclog Moor;
• BBQ sites and BBQ hut booked up most weekends.