How Good is Our Service - October 2023

Monthly Performance Report

On this page you will find information on:

• Assets and Facilities
• Community Services
• Customer Services & Organisational Development
• East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust
• Education
• Finance & Digital Services
• Health and Social Care Partnership
• Land Planning and Development
• Legal and Regulatory Services
• Roads and Neighbourhood Services

Assets and Facilities

Overview of Progress

Property Maintenance

Voids performance has dropped in October to 86.1% from 90.3% in September, however this remains a positive figure and is above our target of 85%.  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 October with 452 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.

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 displacement meetings are continuing with the aim of securing suitable alternative positions for displaced employees.  Recruitment of all vacant positions is on-going and further interviews were held in October with some roles now fully recruited.  The majority of remaining vacancies are cleaning posts and we continue to advertise through social media platforms.

A revised school lunch menu was implemented at the start of the new term in August and feedback will be requested to shape future menu changes.  Action plans continue to be reviewed and recommendations implemented to improve uptake in lower performing schools.

The uptake of free school meals in Primary schools for the month of October was below target and we continue to focus on schools not achieving the set target.  The target for free school meals was achieved in Secondary schools.

The Service continues to work with suppliers to source alternative food products, ensuring the menu complies with the revised regulations and meets all nutritional standards.

The service was awarded the Food For Life Served Here Bronze Award in December and we continue to work with the Soil Association to achieve the Silver award status.

Estates

The Estates service has robust measures in place to monitor performance with regards gas safety compliance across the Operational Estate.  A total of 12 schools have now had their gas boilers upgraded over the past 6 months which has delivered more efficient heating systems.

Officers continue to progress reactive repairs across the Education and Operational Estate, with over 150-200 repairs processed on average every month through Property Maintenance or our external contractors.  All internal and external defibrillators have now been installed across the educational estate as well as within specific operational properties.  18 external defibrillators have also been installed across the corporate estate, with these now registered on the national ‘Circuit’ and accessible to the general public.

The Quality Assurance team continue to inspect 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.  At present the non-operational estate is over 95% occupied, with vacant suites in Southbank Marina and the Kirkintilloch Learning Centre 2 (following the Council services relocating to Southbank House and Southbank Marina Block 1) due to be marketed for lease 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.

Development & Investment

The Service continues to progress a wide range of capital projects both in pre-construction and construction phases.  Good progress continues to be made in delivering Phase 2 of the Allander Leisure Centre (est. completion November 2023) and construction continues to progress well at Lennoxtown High Park (est. completion end February 2024).

Good progress continues to be made through the pre-construction phase of the Westerhill Development Road, funded via the City Deal programme.  Site investigation surveys concluded in mid-November and the findings of these will inform the next stage of the design process.

Planning applications have now been submitted for projects at Balmuildy, Milngavie and Bearsden Primary Schools, including for decant applications at Oakburn and Bearsden Academy.  The planning application for Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre has also been submitted.  Decisions for each are expected via Planning Board before the end of the calendar year, other than Balmuildy which will be considered in January 2024.  A series of public engagement events has taken place in Westerton to support the on-going feasibility review into the replacement of Westerton Primary school with a modern, new-build alternative.

Development proposals for the next phase of the Council’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme (comprising up to 11 sites across the area) are nearing completion of RIBA Stage 2.  A report will be presented for Council before the end of financial year 2023/24.

Capital projects across the Council’s existing Affordable Housing stock, including kitchen and bathroom replacement, roof replacement, external wall insulation projects and central heating replacement continue to progress across the area, as are a wide range of projects across the operational estate.

The Service continues to develop the next phase of a building decarbonisation strategy for the school estate, operational estate and for the existing affordable housing stock, with a variety of surveys, pilot projects and further feasibility reviews planned throughout the financial year and due to inform the next update to the Council’s Corporate Asset Management Plan and Strategic Housing Investment Plan in 2024/25.

Health & Safety

The Health and Safety team provides a range of occupational safety and health services, including advice on statutory guidance, compliance in planning, Construction, Design and Management, safe working and training, incident logging, reporting and investigation, including RIDDOR.

The team continues to update management system procedures ready for consultation and later publication and has continued to support work on the implementation of AEDs for public use and registration on “The Circuit” as well as finalising SP47 AED Defibrillator Procedure.

The H&S team provided advice, support and inspections for various services such as risk assessment support to Early Years Centres and community planning meetings for Auchinairn & Hillhead CC, continued to review the Streetscene and Greenspace H&S management system. Additionally, they provided ongoing support for monthly review of services, conducted inspections of external stairs at Lenzie Meadow Primary School and attended 3rd Tier H&S meetings.

The team in their capacity to review and support Construction, Design and Management for council projects conducted site inspections for St Machan’s PS and Craighead PS boiler upgrades and Westerhill Development Road Bishopbriggs. Additionally, we reviewed pre-construction information works for Hillhead Nursery and construction phase plans for several primary schools, the Fraser Centre and Brookwood Villa. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that all projects are completed safely working with services and external contractors.

Comprehensive H&S training to various departments across the organisation were carried out by the team in October, including Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals, asbestos awareness, fire extinguisher training with Facilities Management catering staff, induction for trades, ladder training for RAAC inspections and Ferndale Children’s services and manual handling for Mugdock Country Park. Additionally, the team attended a webinar on Gas Safety with S&S Northern for further development. These training sessions aim to ensure the safety of employees and others, as well as compliance with regulations and standards.

This month, Occupational Health have been actively carrying out health surveillance at multiple departments within the council. In addition, they have conducted workplace assessments for Property Maintenance to ensure a safe working environment. They have also provided advice on noise-induced stress to employees at EDLC – Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre. The team engages regularly with Human Resources to support queries and provide advice for particular cases.

Fire safety work was carried out in October as part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of all buildings and persons entering and using our buildings. This included managing the fire risk assessment schedule and records, carrying out fire risk assessments as per the established programme, providing support for the replacement survey of fire doors for Assets, and conducting a valve procedure/training arrangement for the sprinkler system at Woodland View ASN School. Additionally, site visits were conducted to provide advice on fire safety matters, including the development of evacuation plans for Lairdsland PS and the new community kitchen. Fire extinguishers and safety signage survey was completed for a property. The fire safety team remains committed to supporting Duty Holders and Building Managers in addressing any fire safety queries and taking prompt action on high priority issues.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Achieved 100% compliance for Gas Servicing with focus on this continuing going forward.
• Positive level of performance in void turnaround times with 86.1% 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 void turnaround times with a view to maintaining and exceeding performance target.
• Assess and improve functionality of Total Mobile and the integration with Servitor to enable a more streamlined and efficient service.  Continue to monitor and increase levels of performance in non-emergency reactive repairs.
• 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 during November and December with contractors.
• Conclude the installation of the defibrillators across the Council’s School and Operational Estate and ensure the external defibrillators are registered with The Circuit.
• Improve uptake of nutritious school meals.
• Improve communications with customers and stakeholders to ensure the highest level of service delivery.
• Reduce FM overtime.
• Progress recruitment exercises to fill identified vacant FM positions.
• Continue to promote with Trade Union colleagues reporting of health and safety incidents throughout the council and programme health and safety inspections of council workplaces.

Community Services

Overview of Progress
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 October 2023, the service continued to engage in the local Co-Production arrangement with Police Scotland. This resulted in a significant amount of joint work and coordinated activity to protect local communities across the East Dunbartonshire area. The service 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 was engaged in the delivery of essential public health services throughout the reporting period in order to protect the community from hazards in the environment and to regulate and facilitate the growth of responsible businesses. The service was in demand for a range of service requests from the public as well as responding to internal partners in Planning for new developments and Licensing for a number of Christmas events as well as tattoo parlours. There has also been a number of requests from partnership agencies such as the Food Standards Scotland due to alleged illegal foods being sold and the NHS with a number of infectious disease notifications namely Cryptosporidium in order to carry out patient interviews.

The Trading Standards Team was engaged in the delivery of essential consumer protection and licensing services to local consumers and businesses to maintain and protect a fair-trading environment in East Dunbartonshire. Priority activity in October included on-going work to promote the recently introduced East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader Scheme, with focus being placed upon local business participation. Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Products compliance work was delivered during the reporting period. The Licensing Advisers and Trading Standards Officers in the team also continued to deliver a wide range of routine inspection and project activity at a range of business premises across the area.

The Community Safety Team continued to deliver a broad range of front-line work for the benefit of local communities during the course of the reporting period, working closely with a range of colleagues and key partners to successfully deliver appropriate interventions and to make our local communities safer. Officers from the team were 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 mobile CCTV. The Community Wardens have also been developing further links within the local communities they serve, getting involved in a number of initiatives and events that have been taking place across the Council area.

Community Planning and Partnerships Team

The team continue to deliver the resettlement agenda, supporting individuals and families to successful integration and empowerment of displaced individuals, by providing a tailored case management approach.

Using a community learning and development approach, the team continue to connect, engage, and involve communities in decision-making processes, particularly those affected by inequalities, to ensure their voices are heard and needs met.

Through effective partnership working with the Grants Advisory Committee, the revised community grant scheme had been open and been actively promoted through various channels, and had been inundated with applications.  Officers had been providing dedicated support to individuals and organisations, addressing enquiries and clarifying application requirements promptly. The wide range of applications from across East Dunbartonshire totalled a value of £357,199 from 58 groups. The successful applications were 38 groups with a total value of £172,480 approved at Community Planning Partnership Board, and over October this money was distributed and further support provided to those needing assistance for future funding opportunities. Next round opens November 2023.

Through the targeted work within our Locality areas, the team continue to promote lifelong learning, skills development, and community empowerment.  This includes the delivery of Pockets, Places, and Prosperity programme within our Locality areas.

The team remain steadfast in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and actively collaborating with local organisations to plan and deliver initiatives targeting discrimination.

The team have been working diligently to ensure the smooth delivery of the vaccination programmes to our community.  With the experience gained from previous winter programmes, we have developed comprehensive plans to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the winter vaccination programme, starting September 2023. Merkland Primary School is now being used alongside Milngavie Town Hall for vaccination roll out, 2 days per week at each site.   Our focus remains on protecting the health and wellbeing of our communities during this critical time.

Housing Operations, Estates and Homelessness and Prevention Teams

Housing manages 3828 social rented properties; 3772 of these are mainstream accommodation and 56 are used for Homeless Temporary Accommodation.  The service also manages 64 Lead Tenancies which are rented from either private landlords (43) or Housing Associations (21), to assist with accommodating homeless households.

At present, the Housing list for East Dunbartonshire has 2427 applications - made up of the following:

General Waiting list 1729 applicants waiting (24 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  461 applicants (24 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   220 applicants (17 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   15 applicants (2 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, 22 properties have been let or re-let; 20 mainstream and 2 buybacks.

20 were general need properties and 2 were sheltered.

They were let to the following queues:

• 6 were let to applicants on the transfer queue.
• 5 were let to applicants on the general waiting list queue.
• 10 were let to applicants on the priority homeless queue.
• 1 was given back to homeless team to be used as temp homeless accommodation.

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.
• Officers responded to an intelligence report received from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) that a business was importing illegal foods from the Philippines.
• There have been several new food business registrations received by the department as well as customers looking for advice about starting a food business at home. Environmental Health Officers have been working and engaging with the new businesses through advice and inspection. 
• Officers from Environmental Health attended a 3-yearly NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde incident/outbreak management exercise at Stobhill Hospital. This involved participating in a mock outbreak management control team with a number of other agencies.
• Noted increase in Enteric Disease Questionnaires by EHOs from local persons have been returned to NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. 
• Continued delivery of targeted patrols within our local communities aimed at tackling an increase in reports of low-level incivilities (particularly dog fouling and littering).
• Delivery of patrols by our Community Wardens to tackle the problem of youth disorder and antisocial behaviour within our communities, with particular focus currently being within the Hillhead area as well as a number of our primary schools.
• Delivery of the Junior Warden Scheme at Holy Family Primary School. The Scheme is aimed at Primary 6 and 7 pupils and 61 pupils have been taking part.  The Scheme promotes good citizenship, with the achievements of the children being recognised through the Dynamic Youth Awards Programme. 
• Delivery of interventions and appropriate outcomes for a number of young persons referred to the Early & Effective Intervention Group which is coordinated and chaired by the Community Safety Team.
• Organisation of local surgeries that will be commencing shortly in two locations in Bishopbriggs (and hopefully in the Milngavie area in the near future).  These surgeries will provide residents and members of the public the opportunity to speak directly (in confidence) with members of the Community Safety Team to report concerns, issues that they may be experiencing in their communities.  It is proposed that other areas will also be added over time. 
• Delivery of on-going workplan activity by Trading Standards to maintain local business compliance with legislative requirements relating to tobacco and nicotine vapour products.
• Delivery of routine Trading Standards and Licensing inspection and project work.
• Continuing delivery of telephone call blocking project for vulnerable residents, stopping scam telephone calls and preventing residents from financial harm.
• Promotion of the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme through social media channels and Police Scotland, aimed at attracting further local traders to join the scheme.
• Delivery of an underage sales test purchasing programme for Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Products.
• Delivery of integrity testing programme for liquor by Licensing Enforcement
• Delivery of targeted activity by the Licensing Advisers to maintain local business compliance with legislative requirements relating to relevant licensing conditions

Community Planning and Partnerships Team

• Managing the corporate equalities agenda with newly recruited resource of Equalities Officer to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
• Continuation of support to community groups and organisations through the planned Funder Ready Workshops and Funder Fayre in November 2023, to build their capacity and ensure they are able to take advantage of all funding opportunities available for them.
• The team are actively engaged in collaboration with stakeholders and partners to deliver priorities of our Locality area communities.
• Successful Round 1 of the revised community grant scheme, all applications are being checked and assessed against the criteria by the Community Planning Team, and then by the Grants Advisory Committee (GAC), then approved by Community Planning Partnership Board. Team colleagues continue to offer targeted, responsive support to applicants. 38 groups were successful receiving a total value of £172,480, which has been distributed over October.
• Delivered Pockets, Places and Prosperity programmes in Auchinairn, Hillhead and Harestanes.
• In collaboration with children and young people integrating into our communities, planned an engaging, interactive focus session to ensure the voice of “new scots” children and young people voices are heard.
• Continue to support Empowered to create an interactive and engaging 16 Days of Action campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse, enabling increased understanding of how to report and where individuals can access support.
• Focused on developing lived experience forum using human approach.
• The new vaccination venue of Merkland School in Kirkintilloch is operating well. Milngavie Town Hall continues to be used for vaccination programmes.
• Working with NHS GGC Board, on the planning and arrangements to deliver the winter vaccination programme which offers COVID booster and Flu to eligible individuals.

Housing Operations – Estates Team

• 9 new anti-social cases received.
• 11 open anti-social cases resolved.
• 2 nominations sent to Registered Social Landlords to be considered for allocation to their stock.
• Percentage of tenancy sustainment was 100%, which is a increase from 92% in September.
• Void rent loss has decreased, joint working with the void and rewire/asbestos teams continues.
• Monthly Housing Liaison meeting attended to discuss cases with Social Work, Antisocial Team and Police Scotland.
• Monthly meeting with Police Scotland and Community Safety to discuss more serious anti-social cases.
• Monthly attendance at MARAC meeting with other agencies.

Homelessness and Prevention Team

• There are currently 220 applicants on the Homelessness List
  
  • 17 under offer 
  • 203 awaiting offer 
  • 1 applicant waiting longer than 3 years (RAPID REHOUSING BREACH)

Due to RAAC inspections allocations on hold at this time (possibly x10 voids to be offered to Homeless List

• 22 Homelessness Applications were taken. 2 of these had no local connection (both from Glasgow).
• 19 out of hours calls were taken this month.
• Homeless Hardship Fund: 7 awards were given this month (£2956.67 spend). 
• No breaches to the Unsuitable Accommodation Order.
• 17 additional short term lets applications received.
• Temporary Accommodation Standards – Reviews carried out with applicants living in temporary accommodation during October 2023
  
  • 120 temp properties
    
    • 47 EDC properties
    • 61 Lead Tenancy/RSL properties
    • 12 Rapid Access
  • 11 voids
  • 109 applicants contacted; 69 engaged during October (63%)
    
    • Concerns regarding
      
      • Food 51% yes and 49% no       
      • Heating costs 85% yes and 15% no
      • Rent payment 16% yes and 84% no
      • Christmas 54% yes and 46% no (most of concerns was re costs of food/gifts etc)
    • Rent Arrears
      
      • No rent arrears 73%
      • Arrears 27%
      • 11% more than one weeks rent owed.
    • Housing Benefit entitlement
      
      • Full 71%
      • Partial 13%
      • No housing benefit 16%
    • How easy was it to apply for housing benefit
      
      • 50% really easy
      • 45% easy
      • 5% found it difficult
    • Overall quality of temporary accommodation
      
      • 24% excellent
      • 61% good
      • 10% ok/fair
      • 5% poor
  • Application to cash of kids (£25 per child in temporary accommodation) submitted.
  • Also requested funding for x1 energy voucher (up to £49.00) for those not entitled to warm home discount and/or cost of living discount and funding for food vouchers for Christmas dinners.
  • Funding given for Christmas Baskets for those in interim accommodation/rapid access (basket will also include £20 Farmfoods voucher).  These will be delivered to up to x35 households in November.

Customer Services & Organisational Development

Overview of Progress

Communications & Engagement

Key areas of focus in October for the Communications & Engagement Team included the official opening of Woodland View School, severe storm and flood risk warnings and the promotion of registration dates for those beginning primary one in August 2024. Media relations activity in September included 10 media releases issued (14 in September), three photocalls (four in September), and responding to 13 media enquiries (26 in September). All releases are on the Council website news section and the local and national regional coverage achieved equated to an equivalent advertising value of £7.3k (£4.6k in September).

Social media followings continued to grow with our Facebook following, up 354 to 23.8k. More modest growth was seen across X (formerly Twitter) (28), LinkedIn (52) and Instagram (34). Social media posts continued to generate good interaction across a range of themes. The top three posts for engagement on Facebook in October were in relation to the final collections for garden waste, primary one registration and Council job vacancies. The top three Twitter posts were primary one registration, the discovery of RAAC in Bearsden Hub and also vacancies, and the top posts on LinkedIn were relating to the Woodland View School opening and posts relating to vacancies across the month. Most watched video on YouTube was the food waste campaign post on food caddies and the Budget consultation videos. On Facebook, most popular videos were flooding experienced on Birdston Road from 7/8 October and the Budget consultation videos.

Corporate Performance

In October 2023, 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

The Customer Services team continued to deliver customer services across all channels in October. Ongoing recruitment challenges again impacted the call response time target, which was unable to be met. Whilst new Agents have been recruited and are in training, vacancies remain across the team which will impact overall response times in Q3. Training of new recruits and refresher training for all Agents continues to be a priority focus. In the 24/7 ERC, preparation for the migration from analogue to digital phone lines continues, including significant data cleansing. The temporary closure of Bearsden Hub has not impacted face to face appointment demands, including registration appointments, in the remaining Hubs, which continued to be met.

Human Resources & Organisational Development

In October, the team has continued to provide support for employees and managers on HR policy and guidance notes, with support in attendance on Employee Relations case work. Payroll has processed the payruns within timescales and completed statutory reports and preparation for the SPPA annual pension return. In addition to delivering training sessions this month, People Development again continued to support the Council’s Moodle e-learning platform including configuration of programs/courses, dynamic rules, system testing, user configuration & reporting. The Job Evaluation team has worked with services to carry out a number of JE interviews and reviews of role profiles throughout the month. 

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Communications & Engagement

• Continuation of the Council’s food waste campaign with a press release, web content, social media and video aimed at encouraging people to apply for a new caddy.
• Delivered communications to announce the implementation of EV Electric Charging Tariff’s including press release, webpage, and social media.
• Design of the HSP Chief Officer’s Report and EDLC’s Annual Report.
• Supported the launch of the Carbon Literacy Training with creation of graphics, a press release and social media.
• Launch of the Proposed Temporary relocation of Milngavie Primary consultation including the creation of a letter, flyers, social media, survey, and webpage.
• Co-ordinated 999 Emergency Services Day (9 September annually) with photocall, press release and social media.

Corporate Performance

• Continued assistance provided to the change team in relation to the rollout of Fusion
• Work progressed with legal services and the Information management team to ensure privacy statements for data support in relation to social work data support are fit for purpose
• Six monthly HGIOS reports collated, reviewed and submitted for November Committee cycles
• Preparation for the forthcoming inspection of Adult social work services
• Annual Submission of CLAS and Looked After Children’s Return
• Preparation of fees and charges review exercise to inform future budget setting

Customer Services

• Training for new agents and refresher training for existing agents continues to ensure the team have the required knowledge to appropriately respond to all customer enquiries
• The supplier has been appointed for the new shared digital call handling platform for telecare community alarms. The ERC team can now focus on the specific requirements for the new system
• User testing continues for the new Netcall CRM system as new elements are built
• Tender evaluation for the replacement public space CCTV system nears completion which will provide greatly improved CCTV monitoring functionality

Human Resources & Organisational Development

• Continued regular engagement with the Trade Unions on strategic and operation HR
• Continued support for employees and managers on HR policy based and guidance notes, with support ER case work
• Processed the payover of 6 payruns within timescales, with the completion of a series of statutory reports and continued preparation of SPPA Annual Return.
• Support work with Auditors in relation to EDLC Trust and the Council.
• The People Development team delivered 16 sessions across topics including SMART Working, Induction, Policy sessions & Leadership topics, with a total of 158 delegates.
• Continued facilitation of regulatory training for frontline services via approved providers
• Development in policy areas of Family Friendly and Flexible Working.
• Review of Workforce Strategy and associated organisational plans in advance of next iteration.
• Supporting the training requirements for the new Oracle Fusion finance & procurement  system.
• Following the industrial action within School and Early Years, payroll adjustments were processed in line with agreed protocols.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust

Overview of Progress

Leisure Centres                                Period 7

Target:                                                 79,562                               

Actual:                                                 90,040            

Detail

                        Actual                          Allander           Kirkintilloch      Leisuredrome                         

Wetside           32,072                         14,679             6,645               10,748           

Dryside            57,968                         23,415             15,620             18,933

Total                90,040                         38,094             22,265             29,681

Libraries

For period 7 there was 22,510 visits in person and digital usage was 50,529, totalling 73,039.  This represents 106% of the overall target for the period.

Period 7

Target:             69,107
Actual:             73,039

Detail

                        Actual             Target             Actual as % of target           

Physical         22,510             24,113             93%                                                    

Digital             50,529             44,993             112%              

Total               73,039             69,107             106%

Visits in person is below target by 7%, for this period.  Compared with period 6, visits in person have dropped by 30%.  This is largely due to the temporary closure of Bearsden Library during RAAC exploration and repair works.  Additional opening hours at Westerton library, on a Wednesday, have seen increased usage at Westerton. Book issues at Westerton and Milngavie libraries have increased by 45% and 19% respectively, compared with the same period last year, demonstrating that Bearsden library users are using alternative branches. 

Museums

For period 7 there was 1,250 visits in person and digital usage was 2,227, totalling  3,477.  This represents 119% of the overall target for the period.

Period 7

Target: 2,918

Actual: 3,477

Detail              Actual             Target             Actual as % of target

Physical         1,250               1097                114%  

Digital             2,227               1821                122%

Total               3,477               2918                119%  

Sports Development

Term time class membership increased again by 35 this month to 2,963 members and over 60 children took part in our small October holiday programme.  Many children take a break from activities during this period which is why the programme has been scaled down since moving to a 40-week term time calendar.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

Leisure Centres

• 58% of East Dunbartonshire Secondary pupils have signed up for free gym membership.
• Prior to the scheme only 10.3% of Secondary school pupils were EDLC gym members.
• Secondary school pupils now represent 33% of EDLC’s Direct Debit membership.
• The initiative has been extremely popular with local communities. In addition to our young people becoming more active, we have seen a rise in parents/guardians attending the facilities at the same time- encouraging family activity.

Museums

• October saw a new exhibition opening at the Lillie Art Gallery, A search for Truth by Gavin Nicol, which proved very popular, running alongside the ongoing, and successful, James Greer exhibition.   
• The art classes for children and adults reached capacity, with 53 adults attending the pottery classes and 54 participants in the Children’s Get Creative classes. 
• Digital engagement in period 7 saw 884 searches on the collections catalogue and 355 collections related engagements with the EDLC website.

Libraries

The Children & Families team continued to expand their work with communities, which not only delivers direct engagement, but encourages people to visit libraries as independent users. Activities during period 7 included:

• Contributing to Westerton Gala Day, running a Bookbug and craft sessions as well as hosting local children and adult authors.
• Running a Play, Talk, Read project in Early Years settings in Hillhead and Auchinairn, in partnership with Scottish Book Trust
• A presentation to Kirkintilloch High School’s Nat 4 Child Development class about the role of reading and Bookbug sessions
• A programme of activities for Primary age children over October break, providing experience for the team’s young volunteers.

Sports Development

Over 60 children took part in the football and gymnastics camps during the October school holiday programme.  This year we also reintroduced a trip to the Citadel pool in Ayr for a diving course which was well received and will be planned again for future holiday programmes.

We launched the MOR (Minimum Operating Requirements) this month and have supported ten clubs to gain accreditation at MOR or MOR+ level.  This process aims to support community groups and clubs to achieve a safer environment and long-term sustainability as well as providing some consistency and quality assurance.

Testing continued on the hand-held devices for the OnCourse class management system by the wider Sports Development team.  Arrangements are being made to store at each centre and will be used by all sports coaches instead of paper registers and achievement records.  All staff are being trained on use and ICT acceptance forms signed off.

Education

Overview of Progress

The Service made very good progress against priorities in the Business Improvement Plan (BIP) 2023-2026. Key achievements included the Early Years Conference on The Image of the Child and the Secondary Learning Festival on Innovation and Creativity in Practice. 

Key Achievements and Areas of Focus

Early Years and Supporting Families

• The Early Years team planned and delivered an excellent Conference on “The Image of the Child” for Senior Leaders in Early Years. Four guest speakers presented, including Aline Wendy Dunlop (keynote), Emeritus Professor, University of Strathclyde, Dr Anne McFadyen, Clinical Mental Health Advisor with Scottish Government, Dr Lorna Arnott, Director of EY at University of Strathclyde and Mairi Ferris from Inspiring Scotland Thrive Outdoors. 47 Senior Leaders from council and funded provider settings attended, with 24 evaluations received. All speakers were highly evaluated. Attendees had the opportunity to visit an EY marketplace to share good practice. This focused on areas such as Nurture, LCFE, Outdoor Learning, Rights of the Child, Curriculum Provision and Parenting. All participants valued the opportunity to network with colleagues and learn from each other through the marketplace event. Almost all evaluated the conference very highly.
• 153 children and young people attended Snack and Play during the October Week holiday. The refreshed process for application and allocation of time ensured that places were allocated to priority groups in low-income households. 85% of children who attended were from priority groups. Provision was highly evaluated by children, parents/cares and staff.
• 42 families are currently being supported through a 1:1 interventions with 14 new requests for assistance received.
• Two Fear-Less group workshops (supporting families to manage their own stress as well as anxiety of their children) were delivered, supporting 10 parents to access the 6 -week programme. A further 8 parents completed the Standard Triple P parenting programme. Workshops were highly evaluated by participants.
• 25 practitioners from 8 centres participated in woodwork professional learning as part of Phase 3 of this Education Scotland funded initiative. There are now 16 centres (council and funded providers) providing woodwork learning for children, supporting the development of  skills across the curriculum including motor skills, social skills, literacy and numeracy skills.
• Save the Children implemented a Families Connect training session for 15 staff members from schools and centres to support them to deliver this programme. Families Connect is an evidence-based programme that supports parents to engage in their child’s learning.

All Schools

Learning Festival - Innovation and Creativity in Practice: 800 Secondary Teachers and Support for Learning Assistants from all secondary schools came together to learn from each other at Boclair Academy on the October Inset day. Teachers and practitioners were joined by partners, colleagues and guests from the West Partnership, the GTCs, Professor Louise Hayward and Head Teachers from other local authorities. Staff chose from a programme of 40 interactive workshops that supported their own professional learning and improvement priorities at school level. The Learning Festival and programme was shaped, planned and delivered by teachers. Examples of workshop themes included Making Thinking Visible, The Trauma Informed Classroom and Wrapping the Curriculum Around Learners. The event was highly evaluated by participants. Almost all agreed or strongly agreed that workshops were useful in supporting professional learning; that they enjoyed opportunities to engage with colleagues from other schools; they are likely to apply what they learned; and would welcome further opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other schools.

• The recruitment drive for mentors to support young people participating in the Motivation, Commitment and Resilience (MCR) programme is making good progress. There are approximately 50 mentor applications in process. When trained, mentors will meet with their assigned young people on a weekly basis to support them through the relationships based mentoring programme.
• The Primary Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Development Officer launched a series of twilight professional learning sessions for teachers and practitioners, covering topics such as Microsoft Tools, Micro:bits and STEM based play. In addition, bespoke training has been provided to schools who identified STEM as a priority in the School Improvement Plan.
• The Primary STEM Development Officer presented at the West Partnership Mathematics Conference on “Engaging Learners with Maths”. Content was highly evaluated by participants.
• Additional Support Needs (ASN) Co-ordinators from primary and secondary schools participated in professional learning sessions to ensure a shared understanding of the refreshed Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) policy framework, Child Protection, Equalities Guidance and the updated Including Every Learner (IEL) policy. 
  16 staff attended training in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), focusing on the use of Talking Mats; a visual communication framework which supports children and young people with communication barriers to express their feelings and views. Talking Mats can me carried out physically or in a digital space. Practitioners will be implementing the use of Talking Mats within their schools to support pupil voice and Children’s Rights.
  22 pupils (Douglas Academy, Turnbull High School and Bishopbriggs Academy) in S6 participated in communication workshops. This work will inform multiagency training led by S6 pupils later in the academic year.
• The ASN Quality Improvement Team continue to visit schools with an Enhanced Learning Resource (ELR) and engage in professional dialogue the school improvement plan. Through quality assurance processes, key strengths and areas of focus are identified. A key area of focus is to develop more collaborative working between ELRs to share effective practice and participate in planned moderation activities.
• All teaching staff who were due for Professional Update (PU) during Session 2022/23 have now completed the process. All schools have been provided with details of teaching staff due for Professional Update during Session 2023/24. The PU Officer is working in collaboration with Workforce Planning to identify and support staff who undertake supply in the Local Authority to complete the PU process.
• The Strategic Equity Funding Lead Officer developed an electronic tool to support all primary schools to use data more efficiently to understand the poverty-related attainment gap. A key area of focus will be to provide training for Senior Leaders and support schools to set stretch aims for 2025/26.
• The Literacy strategic group continued to make good progress in developing a Literacy Intervention Framework. This will be integrated into the refreshed Literacy strategy and launched in January 2024.
• The Numeracy Strategic Leadership Group (NSLG) has representation across all sectors. The group is working collaboratively to create implementation guidance for senior managers to use alongside the Strategy to Improve Numeracy and Mathematics for Learning, Life and Work. This guidance will be in the form of an interactive tool, focusing on self-evaluation and next steps in improvement.
• The NSLG continues to make good progress in year 2 of the Boclair Academy cluster transition project, funded by a grant from Education Scotland, to enhance progression from primary to secondary school.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

• UK Shared Prosperity Fund: The new “Count Me In” project has engaged 33 parents in numeracy learning. The project aims to enhance adult numeracy skills to help support improve employment prospects, help parents support children with maths and help adults improve aspects of their life which require numeracy skills.
• A new detached youth work project is running in communities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The initial phase of the project is undertaking mapping and initial engagement work with young people. 

Finance & Digital Services

 

Finance

The month of September saw the Finance Team progressing work on systems with a continued heightened focus on the Oracle Fusion General Ledger replacement.  Work has also commenced on the budget process for 2024/25.

The Council continues to deliver against an ambitious capital programme supported largely by borrowing.  Treasury Management Report continues to highlight the increasing revenue costs associated with the current programme with ongoing affordability being challenged within a tight funding settlement.  Future Reports to Council will continue to provide updates on the programme the associated costs and any mitigations required.

Internal Audit

Internal Audit have been focussing on progressing the 2023/24 audit plan, with audits for the Council and the HSCP underway.  Recently completed audits include Monthly Performance Indicators and Reserves Management.  Work nearing completion includes Self Directed Support – Transitions, School Transport and M365 Project. 

Corporate Fraud

The Corporate Fraud Team have been focusing on reviewing the final National Fraud Initiative matches which been received – this work is nearing completion, although additional datasets relating to HMRC are expected.  Investigations are also being undertaken as a result of referrals received and vetting of applications continues for services such as Housing, Education, Licensing and Estates to secure the gateways by preventing fraud or error entering the system. 

The team continues to provide proactive advice on forms on an ad hoc basis and has suggested minor changes to the School Registration form which has been incorporated.  The team has also been involved in testing the new Customer Management System, both from the perspective of reports received by the Corporate Fraud Team and also ensuring that applications received by services are designed to minimise the risk of fraud and are of a standard that would not prevent any action being instigated, should fraud occur.

The team is pursing the development of in-house anti-fraud and bribery training materials.  Two other Councils have shared their Counter Fraud training materials and these will be utilised as a starting point.

Revenues & Benefits

The Revenues and Benefits team have continued to progress Council Tax and Benefits services and administration of the Scottish Welfare Fund.  The team continue to develop the new Document Management System to improve the efficiency of the system.  The team continue encouraging customers to apply for online accounts for the new system which enables customers to apply for all Council Tax exemptions, discounts and housing benefits.  The team have been doing preparatory work for the Household Support Payment and Pensioner Support Payment.

The Council Tax Collection Rate at 65.19% is marginally behind expectations (65.34%) at this point in the year.  In cases where individuals have not made payments as required, the Council’s Recovery and Enforcement Procedures continue to be applied, with individuals also being signposted to the exemptions and discounts available as appropriate.

Shared Services

The Shared Services Team continues to provide support across all Council services.   The General Team are liaising with HR colleagues to take over the statutory advertising process.  The Letting Team worked on relocating lets, where possible, for customers affected by the closure of Bearsden Hall.  The Social Work Team have attended preparatory meetings to support the Adult Support & Protection (ASP) Inspection. The Homecare Team continue to support a new initiative from the Planning & Commissioning Team processing variations in addition to their normal workload.

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 resolved over 1,400 tickets in October and dealt with over 500 telephone calls.  ICT continues to support the migration of services to Microsoft 365 (M365) in partnership with the Business and Digital Change Team.  The ICT Security team continues to monitor the estate and perimeter defences alongside ongoing improvements to ensure that our systems and data are protected.

Housing Rent and Tenant Participation

 

• The Oracle Fusion General Ledger system replacement is continuing to be progressed, with Workstream Leads across Finance and Corporate Procurement liaising with the external implementation partners who are supporting the project.  At present, the services are reviewing the go-live date of December 2023 with consideration being given to pushing this back to early 2024. 
• Review of Period 6 actuals against budget and preparation of associated report for committee.
• 2024/25 budget preparation for General Revenue and for Housing, HRA and General Services Capital.
• Preparation of Treasury Management Mid Term Report is an area of focus.
• The team continues to respond to external audit queries on the accounts as the external auditors continue their work. 
• Work has started on two of our major external returns, the Local Financial Returns for the Scottish Government and the Whole of Government Accounts for the UK Government.
• Staff development is a key focus and given a challenging external recruitment market, the service is aiming to upskill existing staff where possible.
• The Treasury team continues 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.

Internal Audit

• The team continues to progress the 2023/24 Internal Audit Plan, with work focussing on a range of Council and HSCP services.
• Internal Audit have had an external review against Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, with the achievement of the highest possible rating – assessed as ‘fully conforms’ overall and ‘fully conforms’ for 14 separate areas.  Three minor areas for improvement have been agreed as an action plan appended to the report.
• Advice is continuing to be provided by Internal Audit in line with the Internal Audit Charter to support the enhancement of governance arrangements, risk management and controls.  This has included advice in relation to new systems being implemented on request by management.

Corporate Fraud

• Corporate Fraud is investigating allegations received, focusing on suspected fraud or error within Education, Housing and Revenues Services and on the remaining cases resulting from the National Fraud Initiative. 
• The team also continue to undertake vetting on applications, from a number of services, in order to prevent to fraud and any potential reputational damage.

Revenues and Benefits

• In the month of October, the team issued:
  
  • 2,200 Council Tax bills, 2,000 reminders, and 1,650 Benefits notifications
  • Over 400 Non-Domestic Rates bills.
• Over 460 crisis grants and community care grants were awarded under the Scottish Welfare Fund.
• The team received and dealt with almost 1,800 documents for Council Tax queries and reduction and almost 800 for benefits.
• The team dealt with 2,500 telephone enquiries.

ICT Services

• ICT Services are working closely with the Business and Digital Change Team to implement M365. This includes:
  
  • Deploying new mobile phones to home carers improving access to their systems.
• The Infrastructure Team completed:
  
  • Completed the network upgrades at two schools.
  • The migration of Boclair Academy, Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall 3 primary schools, to Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN).   This has the benefit of: materially increasing the bandwidth at these locations, the ability to divert internet traffic to the quickest route, and also the benefit of enhanced internet traffic monitoring facilities for each site.
  • Completed the installation of a new Education Wireless Controller which will allow the new Wireless Access Points to be installed across the Education Network.  This will increase the wireless availability and capacity for schools.
• The ICT Security team:
  
  • Were notified of and investigated nine security alerts.
  • Continue to progress the PSN renewal for 2023.
  • Investigated the use of Multi Factor Authentication for external systems.

Shared Services

• The Residential Team added over 120 service agreements to Carefirst for clients moving into care homes or for supported living services within their own homes.
• The Homecare Team added over 320 service agreements to Carefirst for clients receiving a homecare service or a direct payment.
• The Direct Payment Audit Team finalised over 20 standard direct payment audits for clients receiving self-directed support.
• The Education Maintenance Award Team received and processed around 10 Education Maintenance Applications in September.
• Completed the payment for Free School Meals over the October Break to almost 1,000 families covering almost 1,600 children at a cost of just over £26,500.

Housing Rent Arrears

• Active Tenant Rent Arrears were £1,306,652, which is a decrease of £170,158 on same period as last year (week 31).
• 8 tenants assisted and successfully awarded payment from Hardship Fund towards rent payments, totalling £6,119.
• The Rents Team continue to support the change team with the development of the IHMS (NEC).
• Housing Officers continue to utilise all avenues to maximise rental income and reduce rent arrears, while also providing advice and assistance to tenants who engage and need additional support.
• Appointments with a Housing Officer available at Kirkintilloch Job Centre every Tuesday morning to assist tenants in receipt of the Universal Credit housing element.
• Reducing active tenant rent arrears continues to be a priority for the Housing Service.
• Former Tenant Arrears are £796,469 with the team continuing to work on former rent arrears to bring this figure down.

Business & Digital Change

• Work has commenced to migrate seven pilot business units to the new M365 Sharepoint platform.  Files are being prepared for the move, and the new Sharepoint intranet page structures are being finalised for content population. 
• The Planning & Building Standards Uniform upgrade has been successfully completed, maintaining compliance, support and introducing new features. 
• A new application has been developed on Microsoft Power Platform, replacing the legacy Servitor Property Maintenance Datamart Lotus Notes application.  This is one of several Notes applications that must be developed before Lotus Notes and its licensing costs can be removed. 
• A new winter payment feeder facilitating payments to the citizens of East Dunbartonshire has been developed & implemented. 
• Work continues on the Shared Alarm Receiving centre project.  With the commercial information and model order form now being reviewed internally by our Legal and Procurement teams.  In-person demonstrations of the platform have been attended by key stakeholders, with further in-person Q&A sessions being organised for East Dunbartonshire.  The focus will now be on preparation for adoption of the cloud platform in the new year. 
• Work continues to migrate content to the new Council website in preparation for launch, which includes the development of the HSCP website.  Initial designs for the Leisure Trust have also commenced.  
• Development of the Enterprise Architecture project continues with five key proposals now at the end stages of development after review and comment from senior leadership stakeholders.  These proposals, once finalised, will inform work packages to consider the digitisation of several legacy systems within our estate, with a focus on enhancing efficiencies for both colleagues and citizens. 
• The Integrated Housing Management System team are testing the latest data cut in our new housing management system.  Results will be collated and any anomalies will be resolved, Work continues on reports collation, letter development and User Acceptance Testing.  Train the trainer sessions and end user training are also currently being scoped. 
• Development on our new Customer Relationship Management platform continues.  The team have been engaging with colleagues across service areas on the development and testing of processes.  
• The delivery of Oracle Fusion Procurement and Finance modules has continued, and recent focus has been on the critical User Acceptance Testing stage.  Outcomes of the testing demonstrated that a further data migration test run, and additional user testing would be beneficial before the system goes live and as a result conversations are ongoing regarding an extension to the timeline. 
• Historical records have been added to Cemeteries Development environment and will be added to our live system in November.  
• RMMS Roads Management System Phase 1 (Roads & Lighting) successfully went live in October and initial service engagement for Phase 2 (CRM Integration, Flooding & Environment) has begun. 
• Work continues to implement a pilot for a new booking solution which will enable employees to book desks, rooms, pool cars and pool bikes. 
• Progress has continued with the Electronic Payment Gateway System (PTX) and the main modules have been successfully configured.  Further testing with key users is now planned to ensure operational readiness for the system launch.

Health and Social Care Partnership

Overview of Progress

The HSCP and its staff continue to work hard to ensure quality delivery of the Council’s operational delivery of statutory social work services, which are integrated with NHS services under the strategic governance of the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Board.  Service quality and outcomes associated with these specific social work services are the main focus of this report with particular reference to three identified performance indicators in accordance with the Council’s strategic approach to business improvement planning.

The wider objective is that improved customer and organisational outcomes can be achieved through successful integrated planning and collaborative delivery of health and social care functions, under single management, with a combined budget, working to a single set of outcomes and operating to a single Strategic Plan.  The impact and performance of all of these integrated health and social care services overall are reported on a quarterly and annual basis to the HSCP Board and through agreed representation and reporting arrangements, to the Council.

During October 2023, the HSCP has performed on or above target on all of its identified performance indicators. Work is ongoing on implementing the 2023-24 Annual Delivery Plan actions.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Developed the HSCP Winter Plan for 2023/24 
• Addressed medical capacity challenges across mental health and learning disability services through substantive recruitment
• Met with service users, carers and supporters of people who use day services to progress implementation of our Social support strategy for Older People 
• Delivery of significant improvement in performance in relation to Post Diagnostic Support for people diagnosed with a dementia  
• New Mental Health Officer candidate has started their training this month, addressing capacity issues in the MHO service
   
• Promotional activity in support of:
  • Your Body Matters curriculum pack for schools
  • Challenge Poverty Week
  • Re-branding of Anticipatory Care Planning to Future Care Planning
  • World Mental Health Day
  • National Cholesterol Month
  • World Menopause Day
  • Suicide Prevention Community Development Session
  • Power of Attorney awareness
  • Volunteers for the Patient Carers and Service User group membership
  • Winter Connections

Areas of Focus:

Children and Criminal Justice Services:

• Respond to the “Children at Risk of Harm” joint inspection outcomes.
• Supporting Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children to begin their recovery and live in safety in nurturing placements in East Dunbartonshire.
• Work is ongoing to redress the balance of care by reviewing out of authority placements and continuing the Foster Carer recruitment campaign.
• Continue to develop as a Trauma Informed organisation
• Update and implement new Child Protection Procedures
• Ongoing implementation of Children’s House Project model, Year 3
• Continue to develop tier 1 and tier 2 service for Children for children and young people with mental health challenges

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.
• Continue to optimise opportunities for people to remain living at home, active and independent in their community, to support the ongoing shift in the balance of care away from residential or nursing care in a care home until it is essential to meet the outcomes of the individual and/or to manage risk.  Numbers of people being admitted to long term care are not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels but are rising, as is the complexity of those being supported in the community.
• Continue to respond to the needs of carers, enabling them to continue their caring role and enjoy a life of their own, as equal partners in care.
• Continuing to provide multi-disciplinary intensive, support and assurance for all care homes and other registered care services across adult services in the area in line with refreshed Scottish government guidance and direction.
• Continue to pursue achievement of compliance with target timescales for adult protection cases.
• Taking forward the Allander Resource Centre - Learning Disability day services –Development of community based services, employability, volunteering and community based model of support.
• Implement the 23/24 actions of the Social Support for Older People Strategy and associated commissioning delivery plan.
• Refresh HSCP Learning Disability Strategy
• Delivery of Medically Assisted Treatment Standards, (MAT Standards) 6 -10.
• Review of in-house accommodation-based support services for adults with Learning Disability.
• Notification received from the Care Inspectorate of a joint inspection of our Adult Support and Protection services to commence on-site from January 2024.
• Preparatory work and submissions for the joint inspection of our Adult Support and Protection services are underway.

HSCP Wide:

• Development of a recruitment strategy for ED HSCP and wider Social Care workforce in East Dunbartonshire.

• Continue delivery of a range of measures to support staff wellbeing and support options.
• Continue to pursue options for the engagement and involvement of local people and individuals in service development and design.

Land Planning and Development

Overview of Progress

Land Planning & Development have progressed a number of significant work streams during October 2023 in line with the Business Improvement Plan commitments. 

Land Planning Policy

• The Land Planning Policy Team has been doing preparatory work for the public engagement required as part of the Evidence Gathering process for Local Development Plan 3 - which will take place from 27 November 2023 to 31 January 2023. This work includes a report for PNCA committee in November, preparing engagement resources and working with the Council’s Corporate Communications Team.  The team has also begun discussions with local community groups on the preparation of Local Place Plans.
• The team has been working with the City Deal Team on the preparation of the Westerhill Masterplan; in particular key requirements and developer contributions for the development parcels within the masterplan area.
• The team has contributed to ongoing discussions on planning reform and participated in a special Heads of Planning Scotland event on the Housing Land Audit process.
• The Team has been implementing the Circular Economy Strategy; particularly regarding green skills and developing informational and promotional resources to be implemented in the coming months.
• Work is continuing on identifying 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 is continuing and surveyors are progressing with the assessment of play areas and facilities across East Dunbartonshire.  The outcome of the assessment will inform the priority actions on play to be included in the draft Greenspace Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.
• Work on the preparation of the statutory Biodiversity Duty Report for the period 2021 – 2023 has been completed and was reported to PNCA Committee in November.
• Work is continuing on the preparation of a brief to carry out an adaptation and habitat feasibility study of land along the Kelvin Valley.  Initial meetings have been held with key agencies and interest bodies to discuss the scope of the project.  Mapping work to support the brief has been undertaken in conjunction with the GIS Team.
• Officers met with the Clyde River Foundation at the Garrell Burn to observe and discuss the process of recording fish species..
• Work is continuing on preparing a response to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy consultation.

Sustainability Policy

• Work on the Climate Action Plan and Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy is continuing. A Programme Plan has been prepared to build on The Evidence and Options Report that the Climate Change Member Officer Group reviewed on 24 August and Council approved on 28 September.  This includes development of the structure of the Draft Climate Action Plan, its visions, aims, objectives and themes to allow a report to be taken to Council during the first half of 2024, prior to public consultation being carried out.  Work is also continuing on the preparation of the related Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) including engagement with Scottish Power Energy Networks, the NHS and internal colleagues in November and December to allow the Draft LHEES to be brought to Council in the first half of 2024 and public consultation to be carried out following Council approval.
• Input was provided by the Sustainability Policy Team to workshops and meetings on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s Regional Active Travel Strategy, the Sustainable Scotland Network’s workshop on the Climate Intelligence Service and the Council’s development of options for the A803 Corridor Improvements, Westerhill Masterplan and Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration.
• Various meetings have been held with Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) to develop content and a delivery plan for a Community Carbon Literacy Training Programme.  The delivery phase will commence in late 2023 / early 2024. The Sustainability Policy Team is also working with colleagues in the Education Team and KSB to deliver Climate Ready Classrooms [opens in a new window] a one-day programme on the science behind climate change and how to reduce emissions.
• The report on the statutory Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report 2022/23 and Carbon Management Plan Report 2022/23, were approved by the Place Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee on 9 November. The two reports provided an analysis of emissions data from the Duty Report, an analysis of emissions reductions in key areas of Council activities (built assets, fleet, waste, street lighting and business mileage), an analysis of costs associated with these areas, high-level projections of future costs and an outline of the potential pace of decarbonisation. The Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report will be submitted to Scottish Government by 30/11/2023.
• The Team have arranged a meeting with education, waste and facilities management teams to explore improving recycling rates in schools based upon a successful model that operates at Bishopbriggs Academy.
• Input and feedback on environmental implications of various planning applications has been provided by the Sustainability Policy Team.
• An Autumn Climate Action Plan Newsletter was published to outline a range of Council action on sustainability related activities, including the CAP.

• GIS Team

• The team has continued to carry out a range of GIS analysis for the council teams.  This has included a variety of map production work, calculating distances to determine travel time distances to key services and creating web apps and data dashboards, which help to understand spatial data more effectively.
• We are in the final stages of moving all Web Builder apps to ESRIs new Experience Builder Platform. We are looking to add extra functionality to already existing tools which should improve the user experience for EDC staff and also the wider public.
• The team have also created a number of maps which will be used in consultations across East Dunbartonshire. The team have also been working on publishing story maps for the Active Travel Strategy, which will subsequently be shown on school websites.
• The team have been using our newly developed Network Dataset, to effectively analyse travel times for the 20 Minute Neighbourhood project. The team are also in the process of creating new dashboards and story maps, to illustrate the new analysis that has been undertaken
• The team have provided GIS training sessions to a number of sectors across the council, with all user groups finding the sessions useful. This has increased the number of active GIS users and improved the awareness of the software across the council
• We have been assisting IDOX by testing the new UniMapWeb environment within uniform. We have been using the Test and Train environments to filter out any issues before we roll this out to Live users in the coming weeks
• The team have been working with the Roads department to create a number of new Experience Builder apps to help when they are out in the field and need to view information.
• The team have also been working in collaboration with roads to help amend their gazetteer to match ours, to ensure consistency across council departments.
• The team have worked with roads to use the data gathered by consultants in our own EDC apps, to allow for greater access across the roads department to this information.
• The team have completed all road adoption requests during the last month
• The team continues to provide technical support to Community Protection and Development Applications to improve efficiency and ensure we are in line statutory guidance and regulations through IDOX.

Housing Strategy & Systems

• The new IHMS implementation is well underway, with functional testing progressing in all modules. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) training has been delayed due to additional functional testing being required.
• Systems Officers are assisting with the data cleansing of the current Saffron IT system as well as Housing folders, to ensure a smooth transition when migrating to the new system, while also assisting with day-to-day processing of direct debits and the set-up of rent accounts.
• Performance Monitoring Officers are completing monthly performance statistics and continue to update Smartsheet with new dashboards and sheets for Officers to work from.
• Work is continuing on the Digital Telecare switch which aims to transition analogue telecare to digital telecare throughout the sheltered complexes.
• The Housing Estates Adviser is working closely with the sheltered wardens and concierge to ensure a robust service is provided to tenants and residents.
• Housing staff training held at McGregor House on Guardianship and Power of Attorney completed Wednesday 25th October.

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 the Find Business Support website.  Start-up enquiries are increasing but business growth and employment are still running at a slower pace than pre pandemic due to economic and market issues.
• The Digital Development Grant has been launched and already fully subscribed, and applications are now being processed. The Green Business Support grant is to launch shortly as following the start of the regional green audit support. The project will help businesses analyse how they practice and identity green measures and support that can be provided via a grant process.  The team is in the early stages of developing the site enabling and regeneration grant.
• It is likely that Digital Boost funding will no longer be available and Local Authorities will be expected to provide this support with the exception of Webinars which will be picked up by Business Gateway National.

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 Westerhill Development Road for which the design contract is now underway.  The project team are currently analysing the various route options in order to select a preferred route to develop further through the OBC process. .
• Work continues on the next stages of the design process for Bishopbriggs Town Centre and Bishopbriggs Park.  A803 feasibility and options work progressing as part of Outline Business Case development. 

Regeneration & Town Centres Team

• The project to improve Regent Gardens in Kirkintilloch Town Centre is on site, and making good progress. Works are expected to complete early 2024. The Campsie Memorial Hall project in Lennoxtown has funding has been secured from Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and work continues to develop the project with RIBA 3 design to take place following procurement of design team.
• The programme management of the Shared Prosperity Fund is ongoing. A range of projects have been identified and are being progressed for implementation up to March 2025.
• The Lennoxtown Main Street Improvement Project is ongoing to develop outline designs. An application to support Lennoxtown regeneration projections has been prepared for the the UK Levelling Up Fund, to submit once Round 3 of the fund opens, for which there is currently no date.
• Working ongoing to support Milngavie BID as it moves towards re-ballot, and the Kirkintilloch BID Streeting Group as it moves to ballot on 2nd November 2023.

Traffic & Transport Team

• The construction phase of Canniesburn Toll Improvement Project is on site and is expected to complete around spring 2024. Four Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) have been promoted to support aspects of the new design.
• Feasibility and design works are progressing on a range of active travel infrastructure projects included in the Local Transport and Active Travel Strategies, including works to improve Canal Street which is part of the John Muir Way and a key link onto the canal towpath. Preparation for the Traffic Free Schools pilot project which is to do live in November 2023.
• 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 41 applications and validated 50 applications.
• The Building Standards team have received 75 building warrants and approved 88 applications. 
• The Enforcement Team opened 3 new cases and closed 5
• The Development Applications team prepared reports for the forthcoming meeting of the Planning Board.
• The Team continues to provide applicants including the Councils Major Assets and Housing teams with pre application advice and support.
• Both Planning and Building Standards teams continue to offer support and informal advice to customers through our morning duty service Monday to Friday.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Continued improvement in timescales to validate planning applications
• Preparation of the statutory Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report 2022/23 and Carbon Management Plan Report 2022/23
• IHMS – User Acceptance Testing progression.

Legal and Regulatory Services

Overview of Progress

Democratic Services

Overview of Progress

Throughout September, the Democratic Services Teams continued to support the internal governance of the Council, in addition to certain regulatory functions.  August saw a return to the Council’s governance meetings and a key area of focus for Democratic Services was the implementation of the Council’s new committee management system, Modern.Gov.  This work continued into September and October.  This system is now used for writing committee reports, managing the diary, preparing, and issuing agendas and the publication of committee papers to the Council’s website.  In time, it will also be used to support public engagement and consultation, and a petitions function.  It will also support publication of Members Registers of Interest. 

In addition to the above, the service continued to support Members and the Strategic Leadership Team.  The Information Management Team continues to provide important support and advice to the MS365 implementation team, as well as business-as-usual support in relation to freedom of information and data protection.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Registration & Customer Services completed 101 birth and 159 death registrations in October.  40 marriages & 1 Civil Partnerships were also registered in this period.  This equates to approximately 366 customers and the generation of £10,000 income.
• The Team provided administrative and other supports to the Civic Office and supported the work of the Lord Lieutenant’s office.
• Continued implementation and roll-out of a new committee administration system, which included support for report authors and the production and distribution of committee and board agendas.
• Democratic Services administered 1 Licensing Board, 1 Planning Board, 1 Planning LRB, 2 Scrutiny Panels, and 1 Civic Government Appeals Board.
• Democratic Services managed the Kirkintilloch BID process – issuing postal ballots and receiving returned ballots over the course of October – outcome was declared on 2 November in favour of the establishment of the Kirkintilloch Business Improvement District.
• 9512

Legal Services

Overview of Progress

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 Legal Services for September is 100%.

Legal Services continues to support services across the Council in the delivery of projects, contracts and otherwise to manage legal risk.  This includes advice and work on confidential matters that cannot be included in a public report.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• During October, the Team processed 9 contract form reviews, 3 Contract award letters, 14 taxi licence applications, and 9 grants.
• Supporting the City Deal team with the finalising of site investigation licences (including licence for works compound) with relevant Westerhill landowners to facilitate DMRB Stage 2 Ground Investigations, provided advice on s75 Agreement provisions relating to Bishopbriggs Town Centre Civic Space, and supporting the provision of procurement advice on options appraisals for anticipated contracts.
• Property and planning work included two open market purchases for Council housing stock and a licence to occupy for Mugdock Park Halloween event. 
• Contracts concluded in this period included grant offers issued for Bikeability and road safety improvements, consultancy services in connection with A807 Active Travel Corridor, coal tar testing services, and Duke of Edinburgh and outdoor activities provision. 
• The Litigation Team continued to provide support to Social Work in relation to adults with incapacity and permanence planning and to Education on a variety of matters.  In addition, a report was provided to the Licensing Board on the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy following the formal consultation.  This was approved by the Licensing Board. 

Procurement

Overview of Progress

During October, the Procurement Team continued to support services across the Council in the delivery of various projects, including ongoing support to a number of strategic procurements/projects, particularly in relation to City Deal, ICT, Business & Digital Change, and various Capital projects.  In particular, the Team was heavily involved in data cleansing, Solution Design, Communication planning, Key User training meetings and User Acceptance testing as part of the implementation of a replacement for the Oracle Financial system.  This has placed a significant demand on the resources of the Team.  The Team also continuously works to manage and support the operational activity in terms of the buyers work centre, Iproc catalogue and supplier management and payment processing.

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Providing ongoing support to the City Deal team in relation to Contract requirements and alternative procurement route options.
• Supported key Capital, Business & Digital Change projects such as Oracle Fusion upgrade, IHMS Consultancy, Westerhill Development Road, school estate Professional Fees, school summer maintenance works, Vehicle Purchases, whilst supporting workforce of the future planning and Business as Usual workstreams.
• Participation in extensive meetings and workshops in order to train, test and solution re-design, in preparation for the implementation of the Oracle Fusion upgrade.
• Continued to support the Council’s Social Care & Educational transport requirements.
• Completed renewals for support and maintenance of business-critical systems to facilitate workforce of the future.
• Ongoing support for the transition/implementation of Fusion to support the technical requirements for integrations and e-invoicing on Iproc.
• Ongoing data analysis in preparation of the 2022-2023 Annual Procurement Report to include alignments with Organisational Climate Action Planning, Circular Economy Strategy, Community Wealth Building & the City Region Community Wish List planning.
• Commenced review of Contract Standing Orders for alignment with Organisational changes, financial management and Procurement governance.

Strategic Commissioning  

Overview of Progress

During October, the Strategic Commissioning Team continued to monitor and support the market as unprecedented demand pressures exacerbated by the on-going cost of living crisis continued to disrupt and undermine the sector.  In addition, the team were instrumental in supporting the progression of HSCP strategic priorities, reviewing spend to budget, and responding to acute pressures whilst planning for the forthcoming winter period

Key Achievements / Areas of Focus

• Working in partnership with Council colleagues and the HSCP, actively progressed a proposal to support delivery of the national resettlement programme for asylum seekers
• Reviewed commissioned spend to help inform the HSCP’s decision making / budget setting for 2024/2025
• Explored a service development opportunity with a view to expanding and modernising the current supported living estate - with a view to ensuring long term sustainability and financial viability 
• The Strategic Commissioning Manager is the delegated lead for the implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 for registered (commissioned) services.  Working closely with the Care Inspectorate, this involves ensuring commissioned services are fully prepared for implementation (1st April 2024) and comply with the principles of the Act in terms of safe staffing levels and reporting requirements to the Scottish Government.   
• Supported the development of the HSCP’s Unscheduled Care Action Plan – and actively progressed a number of sub actions to ensure critical services are able to flex and respond to increased / acute pressures over the winter period
• Identified a new provider who specialises in complex (clinical) care and potentially may be able to assist the HSCP expedite delayed discharges and/or help facilitate the more complex hospital discharges.

Roads and Neighbourhood Services

Overview of Progress

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

This Service area is divided into seven 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. Waste Services (including domestic & commercial waste & recycling collections)
6. Fleet Services (including fleet operations, maintenance, and transportation)
7. 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 several 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 deliver both planned and reactive maintenance to both carriageways, footways, and street lighting assets. The Service is almost at full numbers in terms of resources available with vacancies for operational posts. The service has commenced the winter maintenance period on both carriageways and footways with several actions already instructed due to lower road surface temperatures. The service is also providing a placement for a Foundation Apprenticeship to allow a local high school student to gain first-hand experience of the various Roads Technical and Operational disciplines.

The 2023/24 capital programmes for carriageway, footway resurfacing programme and lighting projects are ongoing with road space booked and work programmed in as per the Roads Resurfacing Programme Technical Note which will be updated in October. The next Roads Resurfacing update is schedule for January 2024. Regrettably, the Streetlighting Team are working at a reduced capacity, so this is likely to affect the projected capital programme. If this is the case any outstanding projects will be carried forward into 2024/25.

The Roads Network Team Leader and Senior Roads Technician are currently finalising the proposed 3 Year Resurfacing Programme following the network wide condition survey. It is intended to share the proposed programme early in 2024.

Roads Technical & Engineering

The Roads Development, Structures, Traffic, Flood Risk and Drainage Teams continue to work on and contribute to 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 Service is now operating a full capacity following recent staff changes with several newer members of the team familiarising themselves with the Council area and taking forward individual projects including gateway features, replacement bridges, signalised junctions, and other important road safety features.

Streetscene Operations

The three geographical based teams have completed work on their summer grounds maintenance programmes including grass cutting operations, herbicide treatment, care of Gardens service, play area inspections etc. The teams have now switched to their Autumn/Winter maintenance programmes which include autumn leaf collection and shrub pruning etc. 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.

The team also continue to manage the Councils tree stock. The team is current analysing the results of the first Ash Dieback Surveys which will inform the actions that need to be prioritised to address this important issue. The team manages and performs burials in the eight operational cemeteries.

Streetscene Technical Support Team

The team continue to work with community groups regarding Environmental Improvement Projects including path improvement, play area renovations, amenity planting, cemetery, and allotment development.

Mugdock Country Park

The team have also completed their summer maintenance work and are moving into the autumn/winter maintenance period. The team have been monitoring the quarry area during the summer months following the installation of the new perimeter fence and it is having a positive effect on unauthorised access which is welcome due to the health and safety issues previously experienced at this location within the country park. The monthly visitor number continue to exceed expectation and the team area focused on enhancing the visitor experience to the country park with various improvements planned to key attractions.

Waste Services

The Waste Team has continued the frontline service operations for the collection of over 400,000 assorted household bins over the month of October, 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 400 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 1850 tonnes of waste through this contract in October, ensuring our waste undergoes treatment for recycling extraction prior to being sent through an Energy from Waste process.

Fleet Services

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 contracts terminating through the financial year.

Tenders are currently out for the replacement of specialist vehicles, plant & equipment for Greenspace and Streetscene, Waste Management and other front-line services.

Replacement vehicles continue to filter through from suppliers for Roads and Environment, Property Maintenance and Social 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

Roads Network Operations Teams (including Street Lighting)

Carriageway and Footway surface defects and service level agreements (SLA):

Between 01/10/2023 and 31/10/2023, we have identified 105 defects in East Dunbartonshire Council carriageways and Footways. We have completed 78 repairs on time (about 74%), which slightly below our expectation and figure has slightly decreased from September 2023 (80.65 % within SLA). This could be due to migration to new Road Management Maintenance System (RMMS) and few days we weren’t able to login to our system and record the data.

We are still working to improve how defects are identified, recorded, and repaired which is one of the main aims of the Roads Improvement Plan.

Below chart compares our last three months performance:

Road’s capital carriageway and footway surfacing projects in September 2023:

Below table indicates the list of footway and carriageway capital resurfacing projects, committed in October 2023.

Town	Carriageway Resurfacing February to April 2023	Date Completed
Bishopbriggs	Springfield Square	September/October
Bishopbriggs	Kirkintilloch Road	October/Ongoing
Bishopbriggs	O’Neil Avenue (patching)	October
Bishopbriggs	Westfields	October
Milngavie	Craigton Road	October

 

Town	Footway Resurfacing February to April 2023	Date Completed
Bishopbriggs	Springfield Square	September/October
Bearsden	Henderland Road	October
Bearsden	Spey Road	October
Milngavie	Hilton Road	October
Milngavie	Auchenhowie Road	October
Milton of Campsie	Lochalsh Crescent	October

Carriageways and footways Safety inspection:

Between 01/09/2023 and 30/09/2023, East Dunbartonshire Council has successfully completed all safety inspections.

Roads Technical & Engineering Teams

Traffic

• Proposed Traffic Calming Measures being advertised for Springfield Rd and Menteith Avenue, Bishopbriggs 
• Laying of High Friction surface at Milton of Campsie gateway due to commence on the 14th of October 2023 
• Signalisation of Station Road at Drymen Road, Bearsden is under early preparations, but work will not be able to start on the ground while Canniesburn Toll is ongoing. 
• TRO for Disabled Parking 22-23 (new requests from June 2022 – June 2023) is expected to go to November committee for approval. 
• TRO at PNCA stage for November for new signals at Campsie Cross Milton of Campsie 
• Recommenced Junior Road Safety Officer programme at primary schools. Out of the 33 schools invited 22 school have responded to take part in the programme, arrangement is underway to launch the program.
• Attendance at various regional and national meetings related to road safety. 
• The team are providing technical support for City Deal projects, Canniesburn Toll, Lennoxtown Main Street and Cycling Connectivity Corridors. 
• The team are working through various locations installing new or replacing street signs as per customer requests. 
• Responding to Planning Applications. 
• Responding to Lining Requests and refreshing faded road markings 
• Commenting on various licences i.e., street trader licences, public entertainment licences and occasional licences. 
•  Programming of works to install a new high friction surface on all approaches to roundabout at Auchinloch Rd/Crosshill Road, Lenzie
• Dealing with various requests for temporary road closures and temporary Traffic Management

Development

• Site visits to monitor progress on developments currently under construction.
• Site meetings to inspect developments and identify remedial works prior to adoption by EDC.
• Meet with statutory undertakers to plan future works, add to roadworks register once application received.
• Date agreed with developer for new traffic signal works to commence at Meadowburn / Kirkintilloch Rd Bishopbriggs; 15/1/24.
• Assist planning with development applications, distribute to officers for their comments on potential future developments.
• Process road adoption enquiries from internal and external departments.
• Coordination of future works, road openings and temporary traffic management permits. Capital programme amended as coal tar on locations, new sites recorded. Scottish Road Works Register Fixed Penalty Notices are being issued monthly along with temporary traffic lights. SRWR register is monitored daily to resolve conflicts between work sites.  

Flooding and Drainage

• River Glazert Restoration Project, Lennoxtown - Detail design report being finalised. CAR licence and Planning to commence when report is finalised. Ongoing.
• Kelvin Tributaries River Restoration Project – Draft Statement of Requirements being finalised and will be passed to procurement for appointment of consultant.
• Climate Ready Park – Tenders returned and is now at Evaluation stage – on going
• Golf View FAS, Bearsden – JBA report has been finalised and has been provided to residents for review and feedback. On going
• John Muir Way – Re-routing of Path at Glazert Water / Weir – Work is completed however existing path will be monitored and will eventually be closed if risk to public increases. On-going.
• Wet Wet Westerton Flood Resilience Group – evening meeting with residents of Westerton area 28 Sep with Scottish Flood Forum and Scottish Water. Went well and minutes of meeting have been circulated.
• Root cutting and lining works at Monreith Avenue, Bearsden ongoing
• Hillfoot Drive, Bearsden - remove drainage channel and install / replace gullies with road closure – booked for 13 to 24 November
• Additional capital works at Camstradden Drive West started 18/9 to 13/10, Camstradden Drive East due to start 9/10 to 23/10 both jobs to replace gullies and repair surface lines
• C.C.T.V surveys are booked for various locations
• Various site visits planned to progress additional capital spend
• Campsie road @ Redmoss Farm B822 C.C.T.V and vactor inspection to clear and jet culvert and manhole to prevent flooding from farmer’s field

Structures

• 2023/24 General and Principal inspections programme commenced and ongoing.
• Review & response to abnormal load requests.
• Capital programme for 2023/24 is in progress.
• Braes O Yetts culvert parapet strike, Kirkintilloch. Parapet repair works complete. Additional fall protection to be installed in October.
• Lammermoor Rd culvert refurbishment, Kirkintilloch. Parapet upgrade phase complete. Non-urgent snagging works to be completed in November.
• The Cottage Merkland leaning boundary wall, Waterside Rd, Kirkintilloch. Temporary supports in place. Unclear ownership, repairs/rebuild likely to be shared with homeowner. Date for works tbc.
• Moss Maigry culvert road undermining, Crow Road, Lennoxtown commenced. Minor change to scope of works. Additional 10m of gabion baskets to be installed to mitigate against future scour.
• Redhills Community Footbridge, Lennoxtown, has been closed due to scoured foundations. The footbridge, in a state of disrepair, was unknown to EDC Structures. Plans to demolish in the coming months and a decision to be made on whether a replacement is necessary.
• Langmuir Rd retaining wall, Kirkintilloch. Fencing a top retaining wall to be replaced. Works planned for early November.

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, cemetery grass cutting, installing headstone foundations, benches etc
• Final summer cyclic grass cutting of open spaces, Housing estates, sports pitches, school grounds, open space hedge cuts.
• COG service (final month).
• Housing one off grass cuts and Scatterflat/lead tenancy grass cuts and hedges
• Checking and clearance of culverts
• Play park inspection
• Football pitch lining.
• Preparation and planting of Spring bedding; shrub bed facing up; cutting and removal of wildflower meadow areas
• Responding to Customer Service Requests and complaints.
• Culvert grill cleaning and monitoring
• Bonfire monitoring and removal of debris.
• Arranging winter servicing of machinery
• Christmas Tree installation preparations.

Streetscene Technical Support

• Nature Restoration Fund – funding received from SG and draft list of projects in place and now progressing to procurement and works on the ground
• Contract awarded in relation to the upgrading of the Canal Towpath, Kirkintilloch via Scotland Excel framework – consultation and feedback received being reviewed and now progressing to finalise design
• Play Park Accessibility Work Study ongoing.
• Play Areas -  Detailed brief with procurement re 7 projects - Waterside, Springfield, Dougalston Gardens North, Luggie Park, Keystone, King George V and Torrance Main Street – number of returns being analysed
• Compiled 2023 War Memorial Condition Report and organised the repair of some defects that the report highlighted.
• Play Areas – Officers working on briefs for a further 4 projects
• Cemetery Management Rules – internal review now ongoing
• Headstones/Memorials – plan being developed around improving the inspection process – reviewing tender returns
• Cadder Cemetery– plans being drawn up to improve traffic management and parking around entrance area
• Sports Pitches – grass pitches/synthetic – maintenance ongoing with pitches at Luggie Park and Waterside now fully operational
• Tree condition survey of Old Aisle Cemetery being organised – November/December
• Ash dieback surveys completed within EDC Schools Estate – obtaining costs to undertake remedial works as required.
• Ash Dieback Survey on Roadside – survey ongoing detailed results now received – analysis ongoing
• Cairnhill Woods  - location for Forrest Schools agreed and progressing
• Wildflower Meadows -  end of season Cut and Lift operations complete
• Climate Ready Park – tender returns being reviewed.
• Friends of Lenzie Moss – meeting to discuss proposed works via Nature Restoration Fund – works being programmed
• Team working with City Deal Team and Consultants in relation to Masterplan of Bishopbriggs Public Park and Bishopbriggs Relief Road
• Rosebank Allotments – Officer working with group to undertake relevant repairs to paths, fencing etc
• Allotment Regulations – currently being reviewed by Officers in advance of a wider consultation
• Allotment Waiting List – new weighting matrix applied to waiting list
• Officer attending Growing Solutions Meeting with other LA
• Officer input into Sustainable Food Places work and meeting with National Partner – Nourish
• 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.
• Planning application responses and support to Planning Team ongoing
• Open Space audit work for input into the Grounds Maintenance System ongoing for Milngavie & Bearsden.
• Assisted a number of Community Groups with Litter Picking resources across EDC

Mugdock Country Park 

• Events –
  • Fungus Amungus, Lenzie
  • Forest School, Mugdock – Whittling for Wee Folk
  • Go Bats About Fungi – Milton of Campsie
  • Stargazing at Mugdock
  • Wildlife Weans Mugdock: Hibernating Animals
  • Mugdock’s History and Mysteries
  • Lennoxtown Sensational Safari: Fossil Frolics!
  • Wildlife Weans Mugdock: Fabulous Bird Feeders
  • Children’s Cinema – Hotel Transylvania 2

• Ranger education activities including schools, community groups, nurseries
• Land management tasks – Himalayan balsam bashing, planting yew hedge and boardwalk repairs
• Warden tasks including grass cutting, strimming, tree management, pot hole filling, cleaning and presentation of hired space, improvements to the Yard
• Development projects – Castle Maze, BBQ shelter replacements, Walled Garden project
• Scottish Water Ranger project continuing with patrols and events at Milngavie Reservoirs

Waste Services

• The Clyde Valley Residual Waste contract say 1850 tonnes of household general waste throughput in October for recycling pre-sort, and then ongoing production of energy from waste.
• The garden waste kerbside service is coming to the end of season next month.  In October the service continued to collect 724 tonnes from the kerbside, a drop of 24% on the previous month.
• Over the course of October there were 9562 visitors to the Mavis Valley Recycling Centre, with a 96% attendance on site bookings.
• The Mavis Valley Recycling Centre moved to Winter opening hours on 29th October.
• The service appointed a new routing software provider in October, Routeware. This resource will assist in the modernisation of our frontline kerbside routes, creating efficiencies across the service.
• New SEPA guidance was published on 31st October 2023 in relation to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) material that can be found in our bulky collection waste stream.  The service has been actively working across the waste network, with our contractors and internal business change team to consider options for how we deliver the changes that need to be applied at a local level.
• There was 214 tonnes of street sweepings / gully waste removed from the Councils dewatering facility at Broomhill over the month of October.
• The Household Waste Recycling Centre captured 122 tonnes of wood waste for recycling.
• The Technical Support team continue to deliver the recycling message to our schools and community, with a presentation taking place at Balmuildy Primary school on the benefits of recycling and the overall waste journey in East Dunbartonshire.

Fleet Services

• During the period 1/10/23 to 31/10/23 there were 224 vehicles/plant inspected/repaired in line with the servicing schedule and defect procedure. 
• We currently have a variety of vehicles/plant on order to replace an aging fleet in line with the vehicle replacement programme.  
• 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 work on horticultural and construction plant equipment.  
• Management of Fleet Operations in compliance with Operator Licencing legislation with a DVSA Operator Compliance Risk Score of Green for both Traffic and Compliance and a 100% first time pass rate for annual tests.  
• Training has been organised to ensure our mechanics stay up to date with relevant legislation and inspection techniques.  
• Vehicle gate checks have been reintroduced and the compliance team have carried out multiple checks, any issues identified have been relayed to the relevant management team. 
• A new workshop coordinator has been appointed.
• Working closely with people development we have identified funding to allow our mechanics to become qualified HGV drivers, this in turn will allow them to be able to test drive the vehicles they are working on.