How Good Is Our Service - November 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

Property Maintenance

Voids performance has increased in November to 98% from 91.1% in October, exceeding our overall target of 85%. We have consistently exceeded our target this year and we continue to look at ways of maintaining and enhancing performance going forward.

Property Maintenance have achieved our target of 100% for Gas Servicing in November with 418 properties serviced in the month. We continue to achieve our target each month and we are confident this will continue throughout the remainder of 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 operate well, 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 more recent installations meaning 96% of properties are now fitted with Smoke & Heat alarms. The remaining properties have been no access. The service will continue to schedule these installations as and when tenants make contact. 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 across the school estate.

Facilities Management

The rollout of the new FM structure is nearing conclusion and employee displaced meetings are continuing with the aim to secure suitable alternative positions for displaced employees. Recruitment of all vacant positions commenced in July, however there was limited interest in these positions and recruitment open days were organised in October, advertising all available positions within FM. Interviews were held during October and November and will continue on an on-going basis to fill vacant positions. 

All FM Lead and Catering Co-ordinator positions are filled and staff training is on-going.

A catering consultation exercise is in progress and will be released early January. This consists of two online surveys for Stakeholders to complete in relation to Primary and Secondary school meals. The aim is to gain feedback regarding the catering service to shape the future delivery of the service and assist with menu planning.

The uptake of free school meals in Primary school for the month of November was below target, however the target was achieved in Secondary schools. 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 has worked with the Soil Association to meet the criteria to achieve their Food for Life Bronze Award and following an evaluation of evidence against the set criteria, the service has been award the Food for Life Served Here award – Bronze status. We continue to liaise with the Soil Associate to promote the award status and a promotional event is planned for mid-December.

Estates

There are 73 Operational Assets which require an annual Gas Safety Check. For the month of November 1 property required an annual Gas Safety Check. The property 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. A number of individual suites were returned to Estates following the natural expiry of the lease agreements in November, including the Milngavie Youth Café, Mugdock Road, Milngavie.  The Youth Café lease will be renounced following discussions with the former tenant. The future of the asset will be considered in early course and it may involve a fresh marketing campaign. 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 92% occupied.

Offers received at the closing date for the lease of the new Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex are currently being reviewed and will be presented to Council in December. Officers are working with the Antermony Development Trust to conclude the formal Community Asset Transfer of Antermony Loch in early course.

Officers continue to progress disposals with colleagues in Legal Services to ensure that capital receipts are delivered and ongoing liabilities i.e. non-domestic rates, utilities, security etc are reduced. Missives are now concluded for the sale of Kelvinbank Resource Centre with a date of entry agreed as at 28 February 2023.

The draft Rateable Values for Council owned properties were issued at the end of November with officers reviewing the annual rates liability following the 2023 Revaluation.

Development & Investment

Phase 2 of the Boclair Academy project, which involves the demolition of the original building and the development of car parking, wider external spaces and an additional sports pitch continues to progress well, with the original building almost completely cleared form the site.  The project remains due for completion in early June 2023.

Good progress continues to be made towards completion of Phase 1 of the new Allander Leisure Centre. The new ASN school in Kirkintilloch remains on schedule to complete in mid-2023. Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex is now due for completion in January 2023 due to ongoing delays in securing connections with third party utility companies.  

The new affordable housing project at the Loaning, Lenzie is now complete and Kerr St, Kirkintilloch continues to progress well towards completion in early 2023. 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.

A contractor and design team have commenced 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. 

The refurbishment of Brookwood Villa continues to progress well over the period.

Projects at Balmuildy, Milngavie and Bearsden Primary schools are all progressing towards planning applications early in 2023.

The construction of new all-weather pitches are progressing well at both Killermont PS and Holy Family PS. Both are now substantially complete with final finished surfaces at each due to be installed when air temperatures have increased.

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 98% 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 December (2 properties) and January (4 properties) with contractors.
• Continued progress in the delivery of capital works in the Council’s existing Affordable Housing estate, including kitchen/bathroom replacement.
• 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 and Business Support Services

Communications & Engagement

The key focus of communications in November was the continued promotion of the cost of living support package agreed by Council and the launch of the Budget consultation. It was a busy month for media relations with 28 enquiries (15 in October)  19 media releases (16 in October) and eight photocalls. All releases are on the Council website news section and the local and national regional coverage achieved equated to an equivalent advertising value of over £12k. Social media posts continued to generate good interaction across a range of themes. There were 187 Facebook posts (168 in October) generating a reach of just over a million and 176 Tweets (156 in October) generating a potential reach of 3.8m. The top posts for engagement on Facebook were in relation to the new defibrillator at Mugdock country park, the naming of Woodland View School and Remembrance Sunday. Top posts on Twitter were about the teachers strike action arrangements, and the return of our local swimming start to the Leisuredrome. Video on both YouTube and posted to Facebook continued to do well this month.

Corporate Performance

In November 2022, the Corporate Performance and Research team continued to fulfil required duties in relation to reporting of performance and risk management at a corporate level and provision of service level data and statistical support. The team also continues to ensure the council has adequate insurance arrangements in place, acting as a point of escalation in regards to any claims made. All business as usual work was completed within agreed timescales.

Customer Services

Throughout November the Customer Services team continued to deliver customer services across all channels. Average call response times were again below the three minute target. Training of new recruits to the team and refresher training across the existing team was also a focus for the month. A total of 116 direct messages through social media were received and actioned (97 Facebook, 19 Twitter). Facebook messages were up 10 but Twitter messages down over 20 from the previous month. A total of 119 direct messages were sent (109 on Facebook, 10 Twitter) the same total as the previous month but with Facebook numbers up and Twitter numbers down. Appointment demands continued to be met in the four Community Hubs.

Revenues & 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 Ukrainian Refugee Support Team and Shared Services Education. The team are have completed testing of the new online Council Tax System which will go live in January to provide secure access by residents to their Council Tax account. Work continues on a new Document Management System which is due to go live early next year to replace the current system which is now approaching end of life.

Shared Services

The Shared Services team continue to provide support across all Council services. The Social Work and Education teams completed the record gathering requirements for both service areas for the CARH (Children at Risk of Harm) inspection. The Social Work Team continue to develop processes around Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment. The Transport team updated responsible adult records to help SPT cleanse the database. The School Support Co-ordinators continue to work closely with their primary and nursery school clusters to ensure that their schools funds are being managed appropriately and audits carried out. They are also working closely with their schools to ensure that their PEF funding is spent and in accordance with the guidelines.

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 Team received 2272 tickets in November and dealt with 800 telephone calls. ICT continue to support the migration of services to Microsoft 365 in partnership with the Business and Digital Change Team. The infrastructure team have started planning to roll out new networking equipment across the Education estate. The ICT Security team continue to monitor the estate and perimeter defences to ensure that our systems and data are protected.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Communications & Engagement

• Organised Council Remembrance Sunday event and co-ordinated information on all East Dunbartonshire activity promoting across the area.
• Launch of the Budget consultation including survey, design, press release, social media, community outreach and stakeholder communications.
• Continued to deliver communications on the Cost of Living crisis including promotion of the Warm Space Grants including creation of a web form, webpage, media & social media.
• Interviewed Commonwealth Games medallist and former Bishopbriggs Academy pupil Katie Shanahan as she visited the Leisuredrome, creating a video used to promote free swim sessions as part of the Cost of Living support package.
• Design of festive related materials including Schools Christmas menus, EDLC festive timetable, revised bin collections, Christmas closures and the Ukrainian Christmas event.
• Coordinated the Provost’s annual Christmas Card Competition including supporting the judging, turning the winning design into printed cards and an e-card, photocall and promotion of the winner and runners-up.
• Promotion of Council support for key dates and initiatives including World Pancreatic Cancer Day and Book Week Scotland.

Corporate Performance

• Data support provided for the ongoing inspection of Children’s Services
• Submission of Annual CLAS and LAC returns on behalf of the HSCP
• Work undertaken on behalf of the HSCP to develop new performance indicator around homecare reviews
• Six-monthly HGIOS reports presented to November Committee Cycle
• Completion of initial draft of the Councils annual public performance scheduled for publication in March 2023
• Continued assistance to the Change team on transformation projects
• Following approval of a revised corporate risk register at the last meeting of Council, work continues to update the operational risk registers and it is anticipated these will be in place by the 2023/24 reporting period

Customer Services

• Continued focus on further recruitment to vacancies and training of new agents on customer service delivery across all channels
• Continued CCTV monitoring in the ERC and participation in the project to replace CCTV infrastructure and monitoring equipment
• Continuing to be involved in the progression of the analogue to digital phone project (impacting ERC and telecare customers)
• Continuing with roll-out of the Netcall telephony upgrade to improve call handling and performance management

Revenues and Benefits

• The team issued and dealt with the queries on over 3100 Council Tax bills, 1300 reminders, 120 summary warrants and 2810 Benefits notifications. The team issued 340 Non Domestic Rates bills.
• The team dealt with 2660 telephone enquiries in October.
• Continue to administer the revised Self Isolation Support Grant applications and payments.

Shared Services

• Prepared and made payment to 1470 Free School meal recipients as a result of the Teacher strikes in November.
• Homecare Team completed the assessment for all clients with an Income Maximisation Form and updated Carefirst accordingly.
• Residential Team added 73 service agreements to Carefirst for clients moving into care homes.
• Completed the re-assessment of interim funding clients and invoices issued where appropriate.
• Completed 26 direct payment audits for clients receiving Self Directed Support Option 1 support from EDC.
• 99% of All Education Maintenance Allowance applications have been processed.

ICT Services

• ICT Services are working closely with the Business and Digital Change Team to implement M365 and have delivered the environment for migrations to MS Outlook email services to progress early in the new year.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust

2022/2023
Allander	P 1	P 2	P 3	P 4	P 5	P 6	P 7	P 8
Wetside	6,496	8,064	9,394	7,824	9,000	10,467	8,064	7,682
Dryside	7,344	9,650	11,450	8,967	9,245	11,917	10,465	12,776
Kirkintilloch
Wetside	5630	7069	7788	6757	7608	8308	6414	5785
Dryside	7957	9227	12524	10608	11535	13645	11674	12216
Leisuredrome
Wetside	8,810	9,907	12,507	11,565	14,428	11,480	10,182	9,104
Dryside	9733	11722	15329	11266	12980	15736	13737	15041
Overall	P 1	P 2	P 3	P 4	P 5	P 6	P 7	P 8
Wetside	20,936	25,040	29,689	26,146	31,036	30,255	24,660	22,571
Dryside	25,034	30,599	39,303	30,841	33,760	41,298	35,876	40,033
	45,970	55,639	68,992	56,987	64,796	71,553	60,536	62,604

Given the time of year headcounts across the three facilities are still positive with swimming slowing slightly as we approach the winter and main hall activities picking up.

Libraries

For period 8, there were 23,217 visits in person and digital usage was 43,077. This represents 84% of the overall target for the period.  Visits in person have remained level with P7, but continue to achieve below target, with ongoing reluctance for a return in person to libraries.  Digital usage continues to be consistently above or close to target.

Period 8

Target: 78,905
Actual: 66,294

Detail	Actual	Target	% of Target
Physical	23,217	32,479	71%
Digital	43,077	46,426	93%
Total	66,294	78,905	84%

Museums

For period 8, there were 1,237 visits in person and digital usage was 2,745 totalling 3,982. This represents 81% of the overall target for the period. Visits in person have increased by 16% compared with P7, while digital usage has seen an increase of 55% over the same period.

Period 8

Target: 4,935
Actual: 3,982

Detail	Actual	Target	% of Target
Physical	1,237	1,426	87%
Digital	2,745	3,509	78%
Total	3,982	4,935	81%

Sports Development

Sports Development members for term time programmes again increased slightly in period 8 with the total number of members attending our weekly programmes across all sports reaching 2,508. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Leisure Centres

The local heats of the Scottish Schools Swimming Gala were held at the Leisuredrome on the 5th November for the first time since returning from covid restrictions. Entries were lower than previous years, with 84 pupils taking part the heats took place in the afternoon which allowed the swimming lessons to run in the morning as normal.

Cultural Services

Scottish Book Week saw a variety of children’s activities in branches and local communities, and authors’ talks in branches.

The service launched its newsletter for users, with information on money-saving services and activities.

Both The Lillie Art Gallery and the Auld Kirk Museum had the launch of their popular annual Christmas Exhibitions, which is reflected in the increase in physical visits for period 8. 

Education

Education Service

School Planning and Improvement Team

• The final phase of landscaping for the new Boclair Academy continues to make very good progress and is on schedule for completion by Summer 2023.
• The new Woodland View School ASN School site was visited by the newly appointed Head Teacher, senior staff and the School Planning and Improvement Manager. Staff feedback from the visit was excellent. The build is on schedule and due for completion by Summer 2023.
• Planning for the refurbishment of Bearsden and Milngavie Primary Schools is ongoing, with a focus on decant planning for both schools; considering space, design requirements and timescales, in collaboration with schools and partners. Going forward, transport analysis for both sites will be an area of focus, along with stakeholder consultation.
• Draft design plans for the new Balmuildy Primary School have been shared with the Head Teacher and Senior Management Team. Further meetings are scheduled for December, working towards a planned consultation event with the school community by February 2023.
• Modular units for Bishopbriggs Academy are currently in the design phase and will be installed in the early 2023.
• Across the estate, the primary school painting programme and other elementary works and adaptations, including roofing, continue to progress well.

Early Years and Supporting Families

• The EDC Council website has been update to reflect changes in legislation for deferred entry. From August 2023, entitled children will automatically receive 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare for their deferred entry year. The Admissions Policy is being updated to reflect these changes.
• The team hosted a Families Together seminar to provide early years centres, primary and secondary schools with relevant information to signpost parents and families to support agencies that could help them maximise their income. This included speakers from the East Dunbartonshire Health Improvement Team, Citizens Advice Bureau, East Dunbartonshire Foodbank, Money Advice Scotland, Skills for Life, Learning and Work - Parental Employment Scheme and supporting parents back to work. The session was attended by over 40 teachers and practitioners and was highly evaluated.
• Childminders and Out of School Care (OSC) providers participated in training to develop their knowledge and understanding of the new Care Inspectorate Quality framework. 11 service providers attended and the session was highly evaluated.
• 60 families are currently being supported through 1 to 1 intervention, with 15 new requests for assistance received in November. Family Champions based in our Early Years Centres have supported 10 parents with interventions around subject matters like sharing, separation anxiety and bedtime routines.
• 54 parents across a number of Early Years centres have been part of stay and play sessions, supporting parents to understand how children learn through play and experiences. Feedback form parents has been very positive with parents commenting they felt increased levels of confidence.
• The team worked with Play Talk Read (A Scottish Government initiative to support parents to play talk and read to their children) to deliver the Pathway to Play sessions. The sessions aim is to encourage interaction between parent and child and promote language. 27 parents attended the sessions over 4 weeks. Feedback from parents has been very positive with parents commenting they felt more confident in finding fun and simple play activities to do with their child.
• 45 secondary and primary staff trained as Seasons for Growth companions on the Children and Young Peoples programme. A total of 100 staff are now trained as companions across Education settings. The implementation of this programme will support with strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people (aged 6-18) who are dealing with significant life changes. Evaluation and monitoring of the programme’s impact will continue to take place. Supporting Families Workers have also completed The Seasons for Growth companion training for Children and Young People (CYP) as well as The Seasons for Growth for Parents programme which will also help provide further support to schools and families. A future area of focus is looking at effective methods to evaluate the success of the programme.

Primary, Secondary and ASN Schools

• The HMI Inspection Report was published for Westerton Primary School. The inspection evaluated the school as follows:

Quality Indicator	Quality Indicator	Evaluation
1.3	Leadership of change	Good
2.3	Learning, teaching and assessment	Good
3.1	Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion	Very good
3.2	Raising attainment and achievement	Very good

A detailed report will be shared with Education Committee.

• Inclusion support officers continued to deliver the Introduction to Inclusion training programme for Support for Learning assistants. Evaluations reported that almost all attendees reported a 40% or more increase in confidence and knowledge in supporting ASN pupils.
• The Education Service joined a specialist network in the Regional Improvement Collaborative; an English as an Additional Language (EAL) officers forum. This will help to inform good practice across all schools and centres.
• East Dunbartonshire Council is collaborating with North College Lanarkshire to deliver accredited courses in British Sign Language (BSL) in Kirkintilloch.
• The Education Service is now participating in and contributing to the Special Needs in Pregnancy Service (SNIPS) forum.
• An online professional learning session was delivered to senior leaders in schools around Bullying and Equalities, including a walk-through of the Seemis Bullying and Equalities module. In addition, probationer teachers participated in an online professional learning session to examine legislation, policy and procedures in relation to Equalities.
• Officers from the Early Years, Primary and ASN central teams participated in professional learning to examine The Promise for care experienced children and young people. This training was highly evaluated by all participants. 
• Attainment visits took place in all secondary schools, focusing on literacy and numeracy, factors impacting on attainment and future interventions for improvement.
• Authority curriculum link meetings began this month. The focus of the meetings was WestOS curriculum supports; Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeals review and input to the Independent review of National Qualifications and Assessment in Secondary schools.
• Attainment visits took place in all primary schools, focusing on projected Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels in P1, P4 and P7.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work Update

• As part of the No One Left Behind improving employability approach, 9 long term unemployed residents started 6 month temporary job opportunities (paid at Living wage levels) with local voluntary organisations taking the total supported to 21, of which 12 are within EDC.
• As part of this programme all trainees will receive accredited training relevant to their job and employability support to help secure sustained employment.
• To improve the confidence and skills of learners, our Learning Matters project delivered a range of training and learning opportunities for adults including Interview and CV Skills , Autism Awareness, Money Goals, Makaton training , Customer Services, Food Hygiene and Mental Health First Aid. In total, 95 people participated.

Finance & Audit

The month of November saw the Finance Team progressing initial work on the 2023/24 budget and the reporting of Period 6 General Revenue and Capital Monitoring to the Policy & Resources Committee. 

Work has also continued to progress the service concession flexibilities. These fiscal flexibilities were previously proposed within the 2022/23 Budget but work was not suitably developed to provide a definitive financial assessment at that time. The Scottish Government has agreed to these changes which will enable the Council to remodel debt relating to PPP/PFI contracts over the life of the asset, as opposed to the life of the contract.

The work to model inflationary pressures continued on Council pay and purchasing with further consideration given to demand pressures and supply. This work was reported to Council on 2 November 2022 with a further update on 15 December giving an indication of the likely financial gap albeit with the commitment to keep this estimation under review as information is clarified and expectations harden throughout the budget process.

The Council continues to deliver against an ambitious capital programme supported largely by borrowing. Where this remains the case the Council continues to plan to incur increasing revenue costs through servicing this debt.

The majority of vacancies have now been filled. One remaining post has been re-advertised and following a successful interview it is hoped to fill this position by January 2023.

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 HSCP Corporate Governance, Social Work Charging and Total Mobile. Work nearing completion includes Hardware Asset Management, Insurance and Trading Standards.

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

• Financial planning and budgeting continue to be a key focus, with a planned in year use of reserves being compounded by inflationary pressures and the pay settlement. 
• Allocation figures for 2023/24 from the Scottish Government are being reviewed.
• 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.
• Period 8 reporting to the Policy and Resources Committee.
• 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, focusing on Education suspected fraud or error in registrations and on National Fraud Initiative matches.
• Finance have taken steps to monitor and reporting on the costs associated with the Cost of Living Support Programme.
• Initial steps are being taken in appraising the options for potentially replacing the General Ledger system.
• Following successful recruitment a number of candidates are being provided with on the job coaching as they begin working in the Council’s Finance team.

Health and Social Care Partnership

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, 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

• Consultation has begun on the refreshed HSCP Carers Strategy

Participation in and promotion of:

• Befriending Week
• Power of Attorney through Connect-ED
• Scottish Careers Week
• World Diabetes Day
• Men’s health, testicular and prostate cancer, suicide prevention and metal health through November
• Breastfeeding peer support
• Careers Rights Day
• Weigh to Go service for 12-18 year olds who would like to manage their weight

Areas of Focus

Children and Criminal Justice Services

• CARH Inspection
• 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.

Housing

The Housing service is made up of 4 teams, Estates, Rents, Strategy & Systems along with Homelessness and there are currently 58 members of staff working within these teams.

At this time, there are 2 vacancies and 2 members of staff are on maternity leave.

Housing manage 3762 social rented properties, 3710 of these are mainstream accommodation and 52 are used for homeless temporary accommodation. The service also manages 78 Lead Tenancies which are rented from either private landlords or Housing Associations, to assist with accommodating homeless households.

At present, the Housing list for East Dunbartonshire has 3368 applications, made up of the following:

General Waiting list 2587 applicants waiting (29 currently on offer)

(Applicants who have somewhere to stay i.e. they are owner occupiers, a tenant of a private let, stay care of family etc. This queue allows the applicant to choose which area, house type etc. they would like to move to)

Transfer waiting list  566 applicants (31 currently on offer)

(Council or Housing Association tenants who are looking to move to another Council or Housing Association property, either for a different size, or, for a different area. This queue allows the tenant to choose which area, house type etc. they would like to move to)

Priority waiting list   215 applicants (38 currently on offer)

(Homeless)

(Applicants who have no accommodation, or will have nowhere to stay within the next 2 months. This queue does not allow the applicant to choose area or house type)

Priority waiting list   6 applicants (3 currently on offer)

(Urgent medical)

(Applicants who are unable to remain in their current home due to their medical condition. This queue allows the applicant to choose which area, house type etc. they would like to move to)

Within the last month, 20 properties have been re let; 19 mainstream (17 general needs & 2 sheltered) and 1 HRH-HRA (temporary accommodation converted back into permanent accommodation). 

They were let to the following queues:

• 4 were let to applicants on the transfer queue
• 1 was let to applicants on the general waiting list queue
• 15 were let to applicants on the priority homeless queue

Key achievements/Areas of focus

Strategy & Systems

Key Achievements

• The new IHMS implementation is progressing and the estates, allocations and rents modules are now in the build phase.
• Two new Concierge posts have started this month.
• Systems Officer posts have been advertised and interviews set for next month.
• Performance Monitoring Officers are in the process of developing a tenant’s database to allow for a more streamlined communication process between the Housing Department and tenants.
• Draft Local Housing Strategy consultation process finished and final draft has been sent to the Scottish government for peer review, with strategy returning to a later PNCA committee seeking approval to adopt/implement, once complete. This is estimated to be around the end of the financial year.
• The new draft Tenant Participation Strategy has been produced and will be put forward for approval at the committee on 26th January 2023.
• Working on the Digital Telecare and part of the Project Board to ensure the successful transition of analogue telecare to digital telecare throughout the sheltered complexes.
• Two letters sent out to all tenants detailing Cost of Living payments (3 x £49).  Set up database to collect all tenants’ information – as of end of November we have had information submitted by over 2800 tenants. 
• 2.5 days with ARC consultant covered 16 indicators including rent arrears, properties let and void rent loss. 

Areas of focus

• IHMS progression (3 year project).
• Tenant Participation Strategy completion.
• Performance Monitoring.

Housing Operations – Estates

Key Achievements

• 8 new Anti-social cases received and 5 of these cases were resolved within the month received.
• 11 nominations to Registered Social Landlords being considered for allocation of their stock.
• Monthly Housing Liaison meeting attended to discuss cases with social work, antisocial team and Police Scotland.
• As per internal Anti-Social Audit, the Auditor met with Housing Officers to discuss cases and determine how decisions were made.   .

Areas of focus

• Improve void re-let times through joint working with void team.
• Void rent loss has increased since October, joint working with the void team continues.
• Percentage of tenancy sustainment decreased from 95.7% in October to 94% in November.
• Percentage of tenancies refused has increased from 21% in October to 32% in November.

Housing Operations – Rents and Tenant Participation

Key Achievements

• 8 tenants assisted and successfully awarded payment from Hardship Fund towards rent payments totalling £5,554.94.
• Team continue to provide significant time/resources along with support to the change team and NEC with the development of the IHMS.
• Tenant Participation Strategy Development completed and draft document at design stage. 
• Housing Officers continue to utilise all avenues in an attempt to maximise rental income and reduce rent arrears, while also providing advice and assistance to tenants who engage and need additional support.
• Active Tenant Rent Arrears are £1,505,212.29 which is a decrease on October’s figure (£1,546,646.9).
• Two new Housing Officers joined the team and commenced training, this now brings the rent team to a full complement of staff. 

Areas of focus

• Former Tenant Arrears are £746,889.06 which is an increase from October’s figure (£735,007.97). Team continues to work on former rent arrears to bring this figure down.

Homelessness and Prevention

• 302 Homelessness applications taken – highest in last 5 years.
• 168 applicants awaiting offer, 38 under offer = 206 on list. No Homelessness households waiting longer than 3 years for offer of settled accommodation (only 2 households waiting longer than 2 years).
• 98% of decisions within 28 days – 5 cases out of 268 decisions outwith 28 days. Less cases investigated within 0-2 weeks than previous years.
• 24 Housing Options Interviews (88% resolved at HO stage).
• 92 households referred for housing support (48% (44 referrals) of those were new homeless applicants).
• 67 referrals to Project 101.
• 175 calls to out of hour’s service - increase compared to last year.
• 14 Offer appeals – 12 not upheld 2 upheld.
• Temp: 176 voids; 121 sign ups; 21 properties flipped; 7 antisocial complaints and 13 returned to landlord.
• Hardship Fund – 4 awards with a £430.00 spend.
• Length of stay in Temporary Accommodation – 2022/23  - Average – all 205 days (245 self-contained, 49 first stop and 0 B&B use). No breaches of Unsuitable Accommodation Order.
• Rent Deposit Guarantee/Private Sector Scheme – 45 households provided with advice and 12 of these were housed.
• Landlord Registration: 181 new landlord registrations; 574 updates; 502 renewals; no appeals, rent penalty notices etc.; 1 HMO application; and no mortgage to rent enquiries. 
• New Short term let policy introduced. 2 Short term Let applications received in November.

Project 101

• Project 101(s):
• has been undergoing its covid recovery plan and has commenced the return of face to face appointments, drop in sessions and budget friendly cooking.
• young people have been learning new kitchen skills, including food hygiene, preparation and cooking. 8 young people have benefitted from this so far since its return. 3 young people have signed up for 2023 classes.
• It is also creating partnerships locally to assist more young people with employability skills and gain employment to help with tenancy sustainment.
• has had 10 young people benefitting from its’ home-pack service this quarter.
• ran a competition to win a Halloween hamper with lots of great gifts including donations from Coia’s butchers, Locavore and Majellas café.
• Elf on the shelf will also be returning very soon to run more competitions, helpful giveaways and delivering information to help sustain tenancies and encourage young people to stay safe throughout the winter.
• Is currently arranging Christmas parcels for distribution to young people with goods generously donated to the Project.

Land Planning and Development

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

Land Planning Policy

• The Draft Circular Economy Strategy was approved at PNCA Committee in November and subsequently the consultation activities have been organised. Following discussion with corporate communications the consultation is all to be held in January. A Technical Note will be issued to Members with full details.
• On 28 November 2022, the Council received notification that Scottish Ministers do not intend to issue a Direction in relation to the Proposed LDP2. As such Local Development Plan 2 now constitutes the adopted plan for East Dunbartonshire and that Local Development Plan 1 (adopted 2017) has now been superseded. A Technical Note was issued to Members noting the adoption of LDP2.
• A Revised Draft NPF4 was laid before the Scottish Parliament for approval on 8 November 2022 and subsequently published on the Scottish Government website. NPF4 will form part of the statutory Development Plan on adoption and publication, subject to instigation of the necessary provisions in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 by the Scottish Ministers. As such Land Planning Policy officers are considering the Revised Draft NPF4 in order to provide support to Development Management and wider Council services. Further information will be provided to Members in due course.
• Following August 2022 PNCA Committee approval of two pieces of planning guidance, consultation has been undertaken. Analysis of the responses received has now been undertaken. 
• 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. Officers have finalised the evidence base for the new ATS with Members consideration to take place in December.

Sustainability Policy

• Work on the Climate Action Plan and Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy is continuing. Work is under way to identify opportunities for emissions reduction across the Council’s own estate and operations and across the whole of East Dunbartonshire. These will inform the development of pathway options to achieve net zero emissions at corporate and area-wide levels. 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.  Consultation with key internal and external stakeholders has taken place during December and will continue during January to help inform the development of the Climate Action Plan and Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy. Following on from the consultation work on draft pathway options to achieve net zero emissions (both in Council operations and activities and across East Dunbartonshire as a whole), proposed heat and energy efficiency interventions in the housing stock, and a set of proposed climate change adaptation options will be presented for consideration at a meeting of the Climate Change Member Officer Group in late January. A CAP Options Report and draft LHEES Strategy will then be reported to Council in April for approval.  
• Elected member training was delivered during September on Climate Change Adaptation, in partnership with Climate Ready Clyde. A Carbon Literacy Training Course has also been developed and was delivered to SMT in late September/early October and to elected members in November. A further information session on climate change and the cost of living crisis for elected members is being arranged with the Improvement Service, for delivery in January and information on this will be circulated shortly.
• 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 in January and surveyors will be out and about across East Dunbartonshire assessing play areas and facilities between January and March. The outcome of the assessment will inform the priority actions on play to be included in the draft Greenspace Strategy.

GIS Team

• The team has carried out GIS analysis for the Land Planning Policy and Sustainability teams.  This has included a variety of map production  work for LDP2, calculating distances to determine travel time distances to key services and creating web apps and data dashboards, which help to understand consultation results better. We have also created a number of maps which will be used in many consultations across East Dunbartonshire.
• The team continues to provide technical support to Community Protection and Development Applications to improve efficiently and ensure we are in line statutory guidance and regulations through IDOX. We have also helped Housing by exporting data from IDOX for the IHMS Project.
• 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. We have also adopted a number of roads and reflected that on our systems.

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. Cost of doing business continues to be a concern and resources to  help and inform businesses continue to be priority with combined support materials available through FindBusinessSupport
• Working on the development of new business support products designed to help businesses having difficulties in recovery, sustainability or diversification. Preparing to provide funding to businesses previously in receipt of the previous (2021) Discretionary Fund Covid grant using the Local Authority Covid Recovery funding. The LACER grant is ready to launch in January 2023 and will offer small businesses support in these difficult times. The team is working on three projects funded by UK Shared Prosperity fund that encourage digital take up or enhancement, carbon reduction and additional support for Social Enterprises.
• The Business Gateway National Review continues but in the interim services continue to be delivered as usual

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.
• Work is ongoing on the Westerhill Masterplan and the Strategic Environmental Assessment has been issued to statutory consultation authorities form comment. Land owner discussions are ongoing. The Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) will be developed further along with the masterplan proposals in the New Year. Peat investigation surveys have now been carried out and the findings will feed into the Masterplan and the WDR design stages that will commence in January.
• The Westerhill Development Road design contract is now underway and the focus over the coming year will be route options assessment.
• Work continues on the next stages of the design process for Bishopbriggs Town Centre and Bishopbriggs Park. Public consultation is anticipated for early February 2023.
• The A803 Corridor Improvements public consultation event took place on the 15th November, with 40-50 attendees over the day. 375 online or hard-copy surveys we also submitted.  All feedback is being analysed by consultants and will be included in the final Feasibility Report which is due by the end of 2022. The following Stage 2, Options Assessment, is scheduled to commence early in 2023. A large traffic data collection exercise was undertaken week commencing 5th December along entire route corridor and this data will feed in to the transport modelling that is being carried out for the project in order to test design options in 2023.

Regeneration & Town Centres Team

• The Regent Gardens project is being progressed and work is ongoing to try secure a main works contractor. 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.
• UK Levelling Up Fund bid was submitted to support regeneration activity in Lennoxtown, and a decision is expected by UK Government over the autumn. Work to prepare for the Shared Prosperity Fund has been ongoing. Projects have been identified and are being developed for implementation over the next 2.5 years.
• The Lennoxtown Main Street Improvement Project has recommenced having been paused in 2019 with designs being completed and shared with the public. The project is resuming where those who live, work and visit Lennoxtown will be invited to share their fresh views of the project area today and 2019 designs via an online survey, which will be available from 3-31 October 2022. Public consultation events are being held on 16 and 19 November to allow people the opportunity to contribute in person.

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. A project management consultancy has been appointed to coordinate progress of the project. The statutory consultee stage of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process has concluded for the proposed delivery of four associated TROs.
• Construction work is complete 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.
• 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 67 applications and validated 73 applications. The Building Standards team have received 101 building warrants and approved 139 applications.  The Enforcement Team opened 6 new cases and closed 2. 
• The Building Standards team attended a Dangerous Building incident at Claremont Bowling Club. The team worked in collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service following following a fire at the Clubhouse.
• The Development Application team have prepared Reports for the meeting of Planning Board in December and provided a Planning Advisor to the meeting of the Local Review Body on the 16th November. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Adoption of LDP2
• Delivery of funding to businesses previously in receipt of the previous (2021) Discretionary Fund Covid grant using the Local Authority Covid Recovery funding.
• Delivery of the A803 consultation period.

Legal and Democratic Services

The indicators chosen for monthly reporting represent transactions where Legal Services involvement is nearer the end of the process.  Each indicator relates to services which are important to individuals and Council Services, but that also have an impact on the local economy. They also represent areas where performance was not previously as good as it might have been, which resulted in the introduction of the PIs. Whilst performance is generally consistently high, the continued application of the PIs ensures that this remains the case.  It also ensures that any change in performance is identified and addressed early.

Performance against all indicators for November is 100%.

In Democratic Services – responses were prepared and submitted to the Boundary Commission for Scotland in relation to the final UK Parliamentary Boundary proposals. The Team continues to consider the potential impact of and make preparations for the Elections Act 2022.  Secondary legislation in relation to the Act was published during November and this is under consideration. The Act has significant implications for those charged with administering and participating in future electoral events – initially in Scotland this relates solely to UK Parliamentary elections. In addition it will have a significant impact on the scheduled review of the Polling Scheme (Polling Places and Polling Districts). A report on the implications of the Act will be submitted to Council in the new year.  Democratic Services also organised and supported the delivery of a successful investiture event for three citizens receiving the British Empire Medal event at Kilmardinny House.  This was attended by the lord Lieutenant and Provost amongst others.

Legal Services continues to support services across the Council in the delivery of projects, contracts and otherwise to manage legal risk. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• During November, the Team processed 7 contract form reviews, 3 Contract award letters, 42 taxi licences, and 5 grants.
• 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.
• Completed the sale of former Police House at Stelene.
• Completed a lease variation and extension for 40 New Kirk Road.
• Licence to occupy agreed for the Christmas Wonderland at Mugdock Country Park.
• Agreed final form of and signed Westerhill Development Road second design contract with Arcadis Consulting (UK) Limited.
• Supported contract management relating to various City Deal design contracts.
• Supporting kick off for Westerhill Development Road professional services contract.
• Registration Services – 98 births, 231 deaths & 25 marriages registered
• Citizenship ceremony – final solemnisation of 10 adults & 1 child as UK citizens

Neighbourhood Services

The Waste Team has continued the front line service operations for the collection of over 400,000 assorted household bins over the month of November, 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.

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 1826 tonnes of waste through this contract in November, 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 and other front line services.

Replacement vehicles continue to filter through from suppliers for Assets and Facilities including the Property Maintenance and Fleet Services. The team at Fleet Management continue working to transfer systems and equipment and arrange the de-fleeting and disposal of the outgoing vehicles.

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

• The Garden Waste Season came to an end on 26th November having collected 8398 tonnes in 2022.
• The team attended a 2 day conference in Glasgow hosted by Circularity Scotland, the scheme administrators for the new Deposit Return Scheme coming into force in August 2023.
• The first board meeting took place with the Business Change team in November, considering options to digitally modernise the Waste and Recycling collection service, potentially creating servicing efficiencies and savings, whilst taking a step forward in reducing carbon emissions.
• The team collected 1826 tonnes of general waste from the kerbside for ongoing processing / recycling under the Clyde Valley Residual Waste contract.
• The Waste Composition was successfully completed by Alfred Knight in November.  A final report is due to be received shortly, providing informative data on what the residents of EDC continue to place in the kerbside general waste bin.
• The Waste service achieved a 97% performance figure for Special Collections in October. The average collection time was noted at 4.67 days, significantly ahead of the 10 day period and 90% target. 
• 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 year’s 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 a strategy for the introduction of Zero emission and alternative fuelled vehicle and plant fleet, in the lead up to legislative deadlines and targets.

Organisational Transformation

Human Resources & Organisational Development

The Human Resources & Organisational Teams lead on workforce centred activities including, policy development, resourcing, workforce and succession planning, workforce analytics, people development, Job Evaluation, attendance and wellbeing improvement as well as providing strategic and operational employee relations support including case management and partnership working.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Continued support for employees and managers on HR policy based and guidance noted, with support in attendance on ER case work
• Continued engagement with the Trade Unions on strategic and operation HR initiatives.
• Engagement with Armed Forced Covenant Award Scheme on behalf of the Council
• Promotion of Health and Wellbeing Campaigns
• Our People Development team delivered 15 sessions across; SMART Working sessions,  EDC Policy (including the re-launch of Discipline & Grievance at Work Policy training) & H&S based topics.  Additionally there were a further 4 externally delivered sessions. In total, a total of 287 delegates received training.
• In advance of the launch of the e-learning platform in 2023, the People Development Team have continued to develop online learning materials to support the launch.
• Within Payroll Services, the team have maintained and processed the payover of 6 payruns within timescales, with the completion of a series of statutory reports,
• Testing and implementation for Itrent upgrade
• Full implementation of the SJC pay award was included in December payruns, the final pay before Christmas.
• Working with the Education Leadership Team developed planning, logistical and communication arrangements, with support on the day for the Industrial Action for Teachers on 24 November.

Business & Digital Change

During November, the B & DC Team have continued to support services across the Council in the delivery of key strategic digital development programmes and projects. The Team also continue to support our corporate business systems ensuring incidents are resolved promptly and that all systems remain supported and upgraded in line with an agreed plan.

Key Achievements/Areas of Focus 

• Preparatory work for our migration from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Outlook is nearing completion. A pilot will be undertaken in January and then following this we will migrate circa 1300 employees on our corporate environment from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Outlook and deploy the new version of Office which includes improved versions Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Work has also started on developing Statement of Works for Phase 2 which includes: Sharepoint, One Drive & Power Platform deployments.  
• To support our change management and adoption of M365 we have recently launched our new Digital Champions Programme. This is a great opportunity for employees to be part of growing network of Digital Champions across the Council to support service areas with new technology. 
• Suppliers are currently being invited to tender for our new Council website (CMS) and a contract for our new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is about to be awarded. Benchmarking has continued to explore the best approach for our new Employee Intranet, which will be developed on the Microsoft SharePoint platform. 
• The IHMS team continues to work closely with the Housing service to design, build and configure the new Integrated Housing Management System (IHMS). The solution designs for the Rents, Allocations, and Support Services modules were completed this month, and the system build, and testing is ongoing. Progress has continued in the development of financial interfaces and preparation for data migration to the new NEC Housing system. 
• Work continues on the transition from analogue to digital Telecare services. The latest series of Gateway reviews has been successfully completed with Early Adopter Local Authorities, the Digital Office and Scotland Excel. We are preparing for a tender launch in early January 2023. 
• Pre-planning work on our Oracle Fusion ERP Programme has now commenced. The Programme Team are being mobilised and two workshops have been held this period to discuss our new Software as a Service (Cloud hosted). The programme will formally commence in January 2023 with an onboarding workshop for key stakeholders. 
• The procurement process is currently underway both for a new Managed Stores contract and a cloud solution for our Roads Management Maintenance System (RMMS). 
• Work on a project to allow invoices to be issued in PDF format is ongoing. Working with our invoice system supplier ASH and the service, this functionality will make it easier for the production and issuing of invoices across Council services. 
• The team are looking to increase our service offerings through the Parents Portal. A pilot is due to commence on Permission Slips, this would look to reduce duplication of effort and paperwork from our School Offices.  
• Work on the universal roll out for Employee Self Service (ESS) is continuing with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of this functionality to all employees. Our target date for roll out is March 2023. 
• A Business case for a Waste Modernisation project has now been approved and work is under way with our colleagues in Procurement to establish the route to market for the purchase of route optimisation software. 
• The ORBIS non-domestic rates system has been upgraded this period along with interim upgrades to the council tax system.  
• The GLAMIS legal system’s underpinning database has been successfully upgraded contributing to the Business Systems Health Index KPI.  
• The Councils first in house M365 Power App, a prototype Desk booking System has been developed proving the new technologies potential.  

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety team carries out various roles across services such as:

• Providing advice on H&S statutory guidance, where required
• Compliance in planning, safe working and training
• Supervision and inspection while works are being undertaken
• Incident logging, reporting and investigation, including RIDDOR.
• Health and Safety Committee - Statistics reporting
• Recording and managing on-site attendance and health and safety operations at Broomhill depot and Marina HQ.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Supporting Services:

• Strep A preventative measures in schools including guidance for pregnancy risk assessments and Strep A
• Update on all COSHH Assessments for Facilities Maintenance
• Visit to Mugdock Country Park to assess the Health and Safety of the Christmas Wonderland event
• Lone Working review - Roll out of TotalMobile Lone Worker Fob trial with Community Planning team. 10 staff members trialling lone worker fobs and app
• Gas safety – desktop audits, advice during incidents and Lenzie Academy gas safety compliance in technical rooms review
• Kirkintilloch Canal Festival arrangements - 1st review
• New Boclair Academy temporary car park layout H&S support

Fire, Health and Safety and Occupational Health services:

• Support to various Educational Establishments – Occupational Health, CO2 monitoring and individual plans.
• Respiratory Face Fit Testing for property maintenance operatives and Mugdock Country Park staff
• PAS79 Fire Risk Assessments and fire safety visits
• Review Contractors RAMS and Construction Phase Plans for various projects and provide constructive feedback
• Site Inspections - Rosebank Allotments, Millersneuk PS, Mugdock Country Park,Burnside residential, KHCC, Lenzie Academy, Boclair Academy, Kilsyth Rd Workspace
• Reactec HAVS - Tag all new plant for both the Roads Team and Streetscene
• Hep B Vaccination clinic for property maintenance
• H&S Tier 3 Meeting for FM, Roads, Estates and Property Maintenance.

Risk Assessments (RAs) and Training:

• Deliver Safe use of Ladders and Manual Handling training to the Telecare Team
• Develop and implement a risk assessment for Rosebank Allotment
• Induction Training for new starts at Property Maintenance
• Update of Community Protection RAs
• Property Maintenance COSHH Assessments
• Workplace Assessments for Education and Justice Services.

Areas Requiring Improvement

• Recruitment is nearly completed however still ongoing with an impact of service delivery.
• Health Surveillance was paused due to recruitment.

Place and Community Planning

Community Protection Service

Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety Teams

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 November the service has continued to engage 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 for 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 have been engaged in the delivery of essential public health services in order to protect the community from hazards in the environment and to regulate and facilitate the growth of responsible businesses. In November the team continued to receive and deal with a number of public health service requests, including a rise in housing dampness requests due to colder weather and recent tragic publicity on the subject. The Service also received a variety of planning applications which required comment during the course of the reporting period. The Public Health Compliance Officers continued to deliver short-term project work to help the team – which has assisted in terms of the wider rebalancing processes for service delivery that are on-going post Covid-19.

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 November included partnership working with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure local business compliance with fireworks storage requirements and legislation relating to the sale of fireworks. Trading Standards Officers have been participating in a product safety sampling project related to Christmas products and have also started to deliver local activity in relation to a Scotland wide cost of living pricing project.

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, pest control and CCTV. 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 Team

The team continues to work with Scottish Government, Home Office and various partners to deliver the resettlement agenda across the East Dunbartonshire area. This also includes working with partners to support the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and Ukrainian Displaced Persons.

The team continue to deliver community development and capacity building support to our four place areas and communities of interest. 

Officers continue to work alongside our communities to develop community-led warm spaces initiatives and deliver the East Dunbartonshire Community Warm Spaces Grant.

Officers continue to support the delivery of the CLD Plan 2021-24, including developing a programme of continued professional development upskilling CLD practitioners.

Community Testing Team

The winter vaccination programme has provided Covid-19 and Flu vaccination to be delivered to all eligible citizens aged 50 or over, and those with eligible health conditions. Clinics are scheduled for 4 days a week; Tuesday and Wednesday at Kirkintilloch Town Hall, with Thursday and Saturday at Milngavie Town Hall.

The mobile vaccination bus has provided vaccinations in Lennoxtown. Council staff are working with the NHS to minimise queues and ensure the safety of those attending the clinic.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Community Protection Service

Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety Teams

• 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 enforcement 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.
• Project on gas safety in catering premises completed with some safety issues highlighted for further action.
• Participation in a national regulators workshop hosted by Food Standards Scotland looking at the future of food safety regulation and the impacts due to a shortage of EHO's nationally.
• Environmental Health participation a short-life working group headed by Social Work to deal with the issue of hoarding and self-neglect in East Dunbartonshire.
• Delivery of community safety activity for the 2022 bonfire / season with a range of partners collectively working together to successfully reduce instances of illegal bonfires and misuse use of fireworks.
• Appropriate referrals and outcomes for a number of young persons referred to the Early & Effective Intervention Group, which is coordinated and chaired by the Community Safety Team.
• Commencement of the Junior Warden programme in Hillhead Primary School with 28 pupils taking part.  There are a number of inputs from partners which include Police Scotland (discussing cyber-crime/online stalking/strangers/saying safe online), Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (discussing Open Water Safety), Mugdock Ranger Service (discussing the environment, and how to try and achieve an eco-friendly school and environment) and the Dogs Trust (discussing safety around dogs and dog fouling).   
• Recommencement of decriminalised parking enforcement patrols in and around a number of our primary schools – further to work that has been ongoing to update parking restrictions across all of our primary school estate as we emerge from Covid-19.
• Scoping of future joint work by the Council’s Community Wardens, Community Development Workers and Youth Development Workers in our local communities.
• On-going recommencement of Trading Standards and Licensing routine inspection and project work.
• Trading Standards participation at a number of community events in conjunction with Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues.
• Delivery of inspection work at all premises storing and selling fireworks in East Dunbartonshire in order to maintain good levels of compliance with relevant legislative requirements.
• Trading Standards Officers carrying out routine market surveillance at Christmas markets across East Dunbartonshire Council area.
• Trading Standards Officers delivering local work on a Scottish Pricing Project to identify levels of pricing marking compliance across retail premises.
• Licensing Advisers delivering routine licensed premises inspections and making preparations for a programme of Festive Safety Campaign activity at licensed premises during the month of December.

Community Planning and Partnership Team

• Working with partners to support and develop community warm spaces across East Dunbartonshire.
• Delivering East Dunbartonshire Community Warm Spaces Grant
• Provision of community capacity support using a Community Learning and Development approach across our Locality areas and communities of interest.
• Supported the delivery of successful CPD opportunity to CLD practitioners
• Delivering resettlement support under both VPRS and Homes for Ukraine agendas
• Community Development Workers connecting with range of community organisations and partners.

Community Testing Team

• To continue to support delivery of the NHS vaccination programmes of flu and covid-19 at two town centre venues, and through use of the GGC NHS Board mobile vaccination bus at outlying communities, as is possible.

Roads and Environment

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 interviews for the Senior Roads Technician and two Roads Technicians were completed in November with appointments made and the new applicants will start in the New Year. The capital programmes for both teams continue with the carriageway and footway resurfacing programme and lighting projects ongoing across East Dunbartonshire. Finally, winter maintenance standby has commenced with three weather checks per day and suitable actions progressed as required. 

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. The recruitment of a Structural Engineer is now completed with a start date in January.

Streetscene Operations

The team have completed the summer seasonal grounds maintenance and have move on to leaf clearance and shrub pruning. 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 recruitment process for the summer seasonal workforce has commenced for an April start date.

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. Both recruitment processes for the Work Programmer and  Team Leader are complete with start dates in the New Year.

Mugdock Country Park

The team have completed a first draft of the 2022-27 Mugdock Strategy and presented to the JMC for approval. The new fence at the quarry is progressing and should be in place from spring 2023. Year on year the October visitor numbers are well in excess of expectations.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Roads Network Operations Teams (including Street Lighting)             

Roads operations undertook the first treatment action of the season on 3 Nov 2022 a further eight actions were also undertaken in Nov.

The carriageway resurfacing program works completed in November include;

• EDC Internal Resurfacing Programme (non-coal tar location)
  
  • Sinclair Avenue, Milngavie
  • Blackburn Cres, Kirkintilloch
  • Middlemuir rd,Lenzie
  • Herriot  rd, Lenzie
  • Craigmaddie Gds, Torrance
• EDC External Resurfacing Programme (Carriageway)
  
  • Crowood rd , Bishopbriggs
  • Muir st , Bishopbriggs
  • Emmerson rd, Bishopbriggs
  • Emmerson rd west, Bishopbriggs

     EDC Internal Footway Resurfacing Programme (non-coal tar locations)

• • Callieburn rd, Auchinairn
• EDC Road Drainage System Upgrades
  
  • A number of road gullies renewed on Auchehowie Road with all other jetted and cleared.
• EDC Street Lighting Capital/Replacement Projects
  
  • Ralston Road / Russell Drive, Bearsden (commissioned)
  • Replaced a number of lighting column on Station Rd Milngavie near town hall and train station.
• EDC Christmas Lighting
  
  • Workshop testing and repair of Christmas lighting features in preparation for site installations commencing early October
  •  Commenced all installations and testing on all Christmas decoration sites.
• EDC Flood Response Team attended a number of localised flooding reports following short periods of heavy rain.
• EDC Roads operations team assisted with Remembrance Day locations.

Roads Technical & Engineering Teams -

Flood Risk

• River Flood Risk Management Scotland Act 2009 - Publish of Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plan for CALL is currently being drafted for Joint Committee approval and then publication by the end of the Month. This plan has all LA actions planned under the FRM Cycle 2 however will be dependant of SG & COSLA funding outcomes.  
• River Glazert Restoration Project, Lennoxtown - Detail design works currently on going and topographical surveys are due to be carried out in the coming weeks. Landownership discussion are on going.  
• Kelvin Tributaries River Restoration Project - Specification of Requirements (Scope) for concept design has been reviewed by EDC and is currently being reviewed by SEPA. On going
• River Kelvin Flood Defence Maintenance Contract - WGM Ltd have completed the annual service and we are working on remedial actions at various pumping station locations.
• Climate Ready Park - Stantec Consultants have been given go ahead to revisit the design scheme and produce tender documents for re-tender early in Jan 2023. On going.  
• Golf View FAS, Bearsden - JBA are currently modelling our flood scheme and proposed wetland proposals as part of the Bearsden Golf Club extension to demonstrate what impact this has on flood risk to properties at Golf View. Draft report being reviewed by EDC flood risk and is on going.  
• Civils works by our framework contractor George Leslie's at various locations is on going

Drainage

• CCTV completed works
  
  • Beaufort Drive, Kirkintilloch
  • Stirling Drive, Bishopbriggs
  • Fluchter Road, Torrance
  • Canniesburn Road, Bearsden emergency works
  • Etive Crescent, Bishopbriggs: in progress due completed this week
  • Campsie Road CCTV survey nightshift
  • 2 weeks CCTV booked:  investigating various areas
• upcoming works 2023
  
  • Fossil Grove proposed January 2023
  • Baird Drive @ Thorn date T.B.C
  • Angus Avenue, Bishopbriggs postponed till 6/2/23 due to road closure
  • Manse Road, Bearsden scheduled February 2023
  • 113 Milngavie Road scheduled  March 2023
  • Boclair Road @ Milngavie Road scheduled March 2023

Development

• Road Road inspections at development sites, monitoring site progression. Inspections (category A, B and C) are carried out on a regular basis. Quarter 2 inspections have been agreed and sent for invoicing (approximately 75% complete)- FPN for November processed to Utilities for acceptance with Cat A/B/C inspection ongoing 
• Processing road opening and temporary traffic light permits, discussing acceptable dates for road occupation.- Christmas embargo in place from 1/12/2022 to 5/1/2023 - Only Urgent/emergency woks approved during Embargo
• National Coring in the south west area is complete, agreement meetings taking place with Statutory Undertakers before the final report is issued. This is in compliance with the timescale set by the Scottish Road Works Commissioner's Office.
• Site meetings to agree remedial works with developers.
• Local RAUCs meeting attended/chaired. All enquires sent to utilities to Resolve/ Previous minutes agreed and sent to Commissioner's Office

Structures

• General and Principal inspections are ongoing.
• Milton station bridge repairs ongoing.
• Bridge strengthening work to Park Burn bridge Kirkintilloch is now complete.
• Replacement Grill for culvert at Iona way ongoing.
• Dealing with ongoing abnormal load requests.

Upcoming works;

• Footbridge replacement off Bute Rd Kirkintilloch.
• Acre valley bridge Lennoxtown tree removal and strengthening works.
• Roman Road Rail Bridge weak footway protection works.
• Westergartshore footbridge demolition contract is now awarded.
• A candidate has been selected for a replacement Structures Engineer to start in January, subject to reference checks.

Traffic

• Traffic Regulation Orders are being progressed for Clachan of Campsie; Crosshill Road, Bishopbriggs and Manse Road, Bearsden.
• Officers are revisiting the abandoned gateway project for Milton of Campsie.
• An external contractor has been asked to design and construct the flat topped speed table in Manse Road, Bearsden including new drainage systems early in the new year.
• Notices are being posted for revisions to disabled parking spaces.
• The team are looking to install two new pedestrian crossings in Bishopbriggs and update an existing crossing in Kirkintilloch within the next 3 months.
• Attendance at various regional and national meetings related to road safety.
• The team are providing technical support for City Deal projects and Canniesburn Toll.
• The team are working through various locations installing new or replacing street signs as per customer requests.
• The team continue to assess areas for potential traffic calming and pedestrian crossings.
• A proposal has gone to Milton of Campsie Community Council to signalise the Cross and amend Traffic Regulation Orders.
• Responding to Planning Applications.
• Responding to Lining Requests.
• Commenting on various licences ie street trader licences, public entertainment licences and occasional licences.
• Dealing with various requests for temporary road closures.

Greenspace & Streetscene Teams

Streetscene Operations

• Street cleansing and associated tasks such as leaf litter sweeping; 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, installing headstone foundations, benches etc
• Winter cyclical works ongoing; leaf fall removal and clearance; pruning of shrub beds and tree works.
• Checking and clearance of culverts
• Play park inspection
• Football pitch lining.
• Completion of Spring bedding preparation and planting. 
• Bulb planting
• Responding to Customer Service Requests and complaints.
• Culvert grill cleaning and monitoring
• Christmas Tree installation.
• Arranging winter servicing of machinery

Streetscene Technical Support

• Finalisation of draft Minute of Understanding and Statement of Requirements for Kelvin Tribs project, in partnership with SEPA.
• Paved path installation at Auchinairn War Memorial.
• Final specification written for Ash Dieback monitoring submitted to Procurement for Summer 2023 survey. 
• Specification written for Tree planting and wildflower site assessment provided to Green Action Trust for discussion and agreement.
• Specification relating to upgrade of the canal towpath, Kirkintilloch submitted to Procurement.
• Awaiting response from Legal Services in regard Woodland Training opportunities.
• Tree surveys carried out in the following play areas: Whitegates Park, Woodhead Park, Peel Park and 14 play parks; additional surveys to be rolled out during the winter months.
• Works continuing for projects as funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Grant.
• Fencing Works at Easter Garngaber Play Area, Lenzie and Lindsaybeg Road, Lenzie completed.
• Mechanical bulb planting EDC wide
• Lenzie Moss Path and Boardwalk started
• Luggie Park pathwork continuing.
• Cairnhill Woods pathwork continuing.
• KLR and BRR works ongoing; monthly litter picks ongoing during the winter period.
• Responding to a number of planning applications
• Response to fire damage at Eastside and closure of play park while Scottish Water repair works taking place at Luggie Park; Play park defect repair work ongoing.
• Evaluation of tender returns for Mosshead Play Park, Westerton Play Park and Etive Play Park
• Team working with City Deal Team and consultants in relation to masterplan of Bishopbriggs Public Park.
• Removal of gate at Old Aisle Cemetery, awaiting cost for repair.
• Completion of Mausoleum repair works at New Kilpatrick Churchyard.
• Renovation works required along boundary wall at New Kilpatrick Churchyard and wall at the Tower Bell, Old Aisle; teams seeking assistance from structural engineers prior to seeking listed building permit.
• Signage ordered and installed in relation to dog fouling issues with in EDC Cemeteries.
• CCTV survey and cleaning of drainage system started in all active Cemeteries and cleaning thereof. Second phase order raised, drainage works ongoing
• Specification for Bishopbriggs Path and Mains Park path upgrade written and submitted as part of a procurement package with Traffic & Transport.
• Awaiting works to start by contractor for the relaying setts and paving at Milton of Campsie Cross.
• Input into Additional Capital investment for drainage, active travel/access and footway surfacing.
• The team continues to respond to high volume of open space, tree and bereavement enquires, along with planning application consultations and complaints.
• Interviews conducted for Team Leader and Operations Programmer.

Mugdock Country Park

• Final consultation for the new Mugdock Strategy 2022-27 has been published on the EDC website and results will feed into the final draft strategy;
• Tree Hazard Management Report is completed and staff are now working through the recommendations;
• Meeting with Landscape Architects for design plans for the Walled Garden;
• Working with Asset Management to install security fencing at Craigend Quarry;
• Tender bids requested for replacement BBQ sites at Gallowhill and Pond;
• Working with Asset Management to replace septic tank with new Waste Water Treatment Works.  Surveys carried out by subcontractors;
• Improvement being carried out to the maintenance yard next to Garden Centre;
• Installation is taking place by the events company, Beautiful Events, for Mugdock Christmas Wonderland light show which will run over 12 nights in December;
• Tickets are all sold out for the Mugdock Pantomime, Cinderella, which is being performed in the recently refurbished Mugdock Theatre.  Over 50 performances in the month of December;
• Courtyard upgrade continuing with painting interior and exterior of the Courtyard buildings;
• Ranger events in November included Forest Schools – Whittling Around the Fire, Stargazing at Mugdock: Full Moon, Forest School – Musical Sticks;
• Rangers working with local schools to deliver conservation and biodiversity outcomes;
• Working with Scottish Water to deliver Ranger Services at Milngavie Reservoirs including patrolling, education, events and conservation;
• The Astronomical Society of Glasgow is holding member and public events at the new Observatory and tying in with Park staff where possible.