How Good is Our Service - November 2024

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Voids performance has increased in November to 90.5% from 80.5% in October, exceeding our target of 85%. Recently implemented process changes to alleviate the impact of a high number of properties requiring significant works has had a positive impact on performance. This has also allowed us to focus our workforce more effectively to ensure turnaround times are improved. We continue to monitor this area closely with our priority being to improve performance moving forward.

Property Maintenance have achieved our target of 100% for Gas Servicing in November with 374 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.

Non-Emergency repairs performance in November is below our target of 12 days with an average turnaround of 14.1 days for the month which is down from 12.3 days in October. Staffing resource levels, an element of works backlog, and some material supply issues have had an impact on performance for the month. We continue to work towards improving and maintaining performance in this area going forward.

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.

A revised school lunch menu was implemented during October 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 Primary school free school meals was below target at 68%. A menu change was implemented in October and a reduction in uptake is expected while pupils become familiar with new dishes and we expect a gradual increase over coming months. The uptake in Secondary schools increased in November and exceeds the target of 45%. The service continues to focus on schools not achieving the set target with action plans implemented to improve the uptake in lower performing 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 Estates service has robust measures in place to monitor performance with regards gas safety compliance across the Operational Estate. Officers continue to progress reactive repairs across the Education and Operational Estate, although currently focusing on H&S related repairs and ensuring assets remain wind and watertight. Works to Balmuildy Primary School continue to be progressed and will run into the new year. A temporary boiler was installed at Bearsden PS to replace the gas boilers which had reached the end of their economic life. New gas boilers will be installed as part of a package of works being managed by Major Assets, however the temporary boiler ensures the heating and hot water are not compromised until that point.

The Quality Assurance team continue to inspect cleaning standards across the educational estate, with over 40 assets inspected and reports produced monthly. The Building Performance Team have recently turned the heating systems back on and continue to monitor the temperatures across the estate to ensure they remain at an appropriate level.

Estates Management continue to market vacant premises within the non-operational estate. At present the non-operational estate is over 92% occupied, with vacant suites in Southbank Marina now being actively marketed by agents, DM Hall. The Basement area within the Kirkintilloch Learning Centre is now occupied by Positive Achievements who have relocated from Hillhead Community Centre, which is now providing more community space during the week.

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.

The Service continues to progress a wide range of capital projects both in pre-construction and construction phases. Works continue to progress at Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre, with practical completion expected in Spring 2025.

In August 2024, Council approved a revised route in principle for the Westerhill Development Road - design development progresses on this basis with further updated development costs due to be provided later in the year. The first pre-application planning consultation event was held in Bishopbriggs in early November and a second event is planned in February 2025.

In September 2024, Council approved a further report on works in the short-term at Balmuildy and Bearsden Primary Schools which will improve the fabric condition of each building. Works are now underway at Balmuildy Primary School and preparations are now underway to undertake works at Bearsden from January 2025 onwards. Council also approved a report on the removal of RAAC from Bearsden Hub. Officers have since made good progress in securing the necessary contractual arrangements to deliver the works with the main contractor for the project.

A planning application has now been submitted for the Campsie Memorial Hall project, which continues to make good progress through the pre-construction phase and remains on-track to commence construction early in the new financial year 2025/26 (subject to future Council approval).

Development proposals for the next phase of the Council’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme are progressing through RIBA Stage 3. Planning submissions are in the process of being prepared for sites at the former Merkland School, Main Street in Torrance and the former Auchinairn Primary School. At Twechar Canalside, the pre-construction phase has now completed and Council will consider a report on the project in December 2024 which will determine next steps.

The delivery of several areas of on-going capital investment across the Council’s existing Affordable Housing stock continue, including several significant measures to improve Housing Quality and Energy Efficiency.

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 remainder of this and next financial year. In addition to this, several projects remain underway at various stages of the development process, including the final stages of a significant programme of boiler replacement across the Primary School estate; works to replace the staff bothy at Mavis Valley; and redecoration across the primary school estate. The refurbishment of Torrance Community Centre has now been issued for tender to the market with returns expected early in 2025.

• Achieved 100% compliance for Gas Servicing with focus on this continuing going forward
• Kitchen, Bathroom, Central Heating and Roofing upgrade programmes ongoing with positive feedback being received from tenants across all contracts
• Drop in level of performance in non-emergency turnaround times for the month with objective being to improve and maintain performance going forward
• Increase in voids turnaround time performance with our priority being to maintain and improve performance in this area
• Improved functionality of Total Mobile and the integration with Servitor enables a more streamlined and efficient service
• Improve communications with customers and stakeholders to ensure the highest level of service delivery
• Continue to utilise robust reporting mechanisms for enhanced performance and service delivery
• Progress decoration works across the school estate
• 100% of Operational Assets requiring a Gas Safety check within the year’s anniversary of the previous check are
• Schedule in the upcoming Gas Safety Checks, which are required during December and January with contractors
• Improve uptake of nutritious school meals
• Improve communications with customers and stakeholders to ensure the highest level of service delivery
• Reduce FM overtime.

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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 November 2024, the service continued to engage in the local Co-Production arrangement with Police Scotland, with regular community harm and risk meetings being held to provide the focus for joint work and activity to protect local communities across the East Dunbartonshire area. The service also continued to develop intelligence led approaches for all areas of work 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, delivering regulatory activity across a range of statutory duties to protect the community from hazards in the environment and to regulate and facilitate the growth of responsible businesses. This included both proactive interventions and reactive assignments to complaints and service requests.  November saw a high demand for Environmental Health service including numerous food complaints and abandoned vehicle reports.

The Community Safety Team continued to deliver a broad range of front-line work for the benefit of local communities during 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 also continued to develop further links within the local communities they serve, through involvement in initiatives and events taking place across the Council area wherever feasible.

The Trading Standards and Licensing Enforcement 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. Activity in early November focused on the monitoring of fireworks storage operators, safe storage and underage sales advice. Other activities included ongoing promotion of the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader Scheme, co-production initiatives and visits and promotion of anti-scam materials. Licensing Advisors provided business support to applicants and stakeholders and while linking in with other agencies, conducted inspections of liquor licensed premises in the area. Licensing Advisers and Trading Standards Officers in the team also continued to deliver reactive service request work along with project activity at a range of business premises across the area (including age restricted product sales monitoring and fair trading and civic / liquor licensing).  Gathering and dissemination of intel regarding sale and supply of age restricted products continued throughout the period and will be used to influence future test purchasing projects.

The team continue to offer a wide range of community activities designed to foster sustained community development.  These opportunities have included workshops; family activities and collaborative projects aimed at enhancing local engagement and empowerment. 

By participating in these initiatives, individuals and groups can contribute to the long-term growth, strengthen community ties and support shared goals for a thriving and resilient community. A series of creative art and drama workshops are currently being planned for December as part of our Pockets, Places and Prosperity winter programme. Preparations are also well under way in readiness of the first baking sessions in Hillhead Community Education Centre’s Wellness Kitchen’s which again will run through late November into December.

Round 3 of the Community Grant Scheme opened on the 25^th November and will close on the 10^th January2025. With the launch of the new council website this round will see the new online form being introduced which will improve applicants experience when submitting online applications and the extended deadline will allow for submission to carry on over the festive break.

Our Vaccination Team has been diligently ensuring the community vaccination programme runs smoothly. The winter programme for Flu and Covid vaccinations is well under way with high turnout seen at both clinics in Milngavie and Kirkintilloch and the clinics remain on schedule to complete the winter programme by the end of December. A reminder that the clinics will operate 2 days a week until the end of December 2024. Kirkintilloch Town Hall will operates on a Wednesday and Thursday and Milngavie Town Hall operates on a Monday and Thursday. Discussions with NHSGGC remain ongoing with provisional plans being discussed about the clinical programme for 2025 and beyond.

Our Resettlement Team continue to deliver high-quality humanitarian resettlement support using a human centred approach.  By prioritising the unique needs and experience of each individual, our dedicated team ensure that resettlement processes are compassionate, effective and dignified.  This commitment to personalised support not only aids in successful integration but also strengthens our communities as whole.

The team remains steadfast in their commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.  They actively collaborate with local organisations and partners to foster inclusive communities, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging and is respected for their contributions.

The annual 16 Days of Actions Campaign is being supported by the Team with the activities and events associated with prevention of gender based violence and excellent calendar of events in person and online available for public, communities, partners staff and volunteers.  The team support Empowered and Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership Group, with the planning of the 5 December event at Kirkintilloch Town Hall, which has generated lots of interest.

During October/November the Housing service has been transitioning to a new Integrated Housing Management System. While this process is ongoing, some data is temporarily unavailable. When the new IHMS is fully operational, the data can be validated for accuracy and backdated. The information will be incorporated in due course.

Within the last month, 17 properties were allocated.  16 were mainstream and 1 was a buy back (property bought from the open market), 13 of which were general need properties and 4 sheltered. They were let to the following queues:

• 5 were let to applicants on the transfer queue
• 2 were let to applicants on the general waiting list queue
• 10 were let to applicants on the priority homeless queue.

Community Protection Service

Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety Teams

• Delivery of effective services on a flexible basis 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 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
• To protect and improve local air quality, officers commenced a series of vehicle idling patrols in the district particularly around local school
• The service continued to work with colleagues in Social Work to support a resident where extreme hoarding has caused pest infestation to their property
• Several animal welfare licensing inspections to local pet boarding and pet sales businesses began in November
• Following inspections of two food businesses, officers accepted the food business operators’ offers to close their premises in order to rectify a number of food safety deficiencies
• Environmental Health Officers conducted a health and safety intervention at local retail businesses with respect to roll cage manoeuvring safety
• 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 positive enforcement outcomes in relation to several fly-tipping and control of dog cases
• On-going delivery of programmes of decriminalised parking enforcement activity across the local authority area, with particular focus on the delivery of several joint patrols with colleagues from Police Scotland in and around the Cowgate area of Kirkintilloch to tackle illegal parking
• Delivery of investigative work and general casework on all ASB and neighbour dispute matters to support safer local communities within East Dunbartonshire
• Community Wardens continued to attend local surgeries and community run events.  These events 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
• Delivery of reactive service request work and targeted project work by the TS Team throughout the reporting period to maintain local compliance with consumer protection legislation
• Delivery of on-going workplan activity by Trading Standards to maintain local business compliance with legislative requirements relating to tobacco and nicotine vapour products
• On-going promotion of the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme through relevant channels, with the aim of attracting further local traders to join the scheme
• Delivery of work by the Licensing Advisers in the Team to assess local compliance with licensing conditions
• Trading Standards engaged in the seasonal fireworks joint protocol and carried out monitoring of fireworks retail premises This focused-on storage, age-restricted sales, operational hours and business support in terms of refusals.

Community Planning and Partnerships Team

• Continuation of targeted community development support through a range of our delivery programmes including Pockets, Places and Prosperity and Community First. These programmes are designed to focus on our priority communities and communities of interest, helping local organisations to be resilient, compliant, and strong. The team are committed to fostering vibrant and thriving communities by ensuring our resources are directed to address poverty and inequalities
• Deliver Round 3 of the Community Grant Scheme, opens 25 November and closes 10 January 2025
• The Team met with the Grant Advisory Committee (GAC) prior to the commencement of Round 3 of the scheme and refreshed our focus on scoring for this round and discussed how this will be reviewed for any future round moving forward into years 2025/26
• The team support corporate delivery of the priorities within the Gaelic Language Plan 2024-2029. After the success of the Gaelic Harvest festival in August this year, discussions now move to future event planning for 2025
• As part of the community development support the team are organising a series of Pocket, Places and Prosperity events which include creative arts and drama sessions for the winter programme to run through December.

Areas of Focus

• In partnership with the front-line workers, the team are collating progress on delivering the priorities within the Locality Plans.
• The Resettlement team are working with CoSLA, SG, and UK Government Departments to plan and support the transition to E-visas and signpost individuals to where they can get advice and support. They are also preparing for the changes to the Ukrainian scheme as the UK Gov introduces the Ukrainian Permission Extension (UPE) with a planned role out in early 2025
• The team in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have started planning for a potential spring vaccination programme once final sign of is agreed with the Scottish Government
• In collaboration with services collate progress on the delivery of the Gaelic Language Plan 2024-29
• The team are coordinating the returns for our mainstream and outcomes report
• Supporting the CLD Strategic Partnership to finalise the extended CLD Plan 2021-24

Housing Operations – Estates Team

Key Achievements

• The Estates team received 6 new Reports of anti-social behaviour during the month of November and 6 open cases were resolved.
• There were 3 nominations from the Housing waiting list were sent to Registered Social Landlords operating in East Dunbartonshire to be considered for allocation to their housing stock
• Housing Liaison meetings where cases of relevance to Social Work, Community Safety and Police Scotland are discussed are held on a 6 weekly basis, and the Housing service continues to attend a MARAC meeting with other agencies on a monthly basis. Monthly attendance is also required at CPC MISE group to discuss Child Protection issues and attendance at regular Safe and Together forums
• Housing attends the 2-weekly meetings of the Community Harm and Risk Meeting (CHARM) with Police Scotland, Community Protection, Trading Standards and Licensing
• Involvement in supporting the implementation of a new IHMS is increasing due to the ‘go live’ date getting closer. This requires the team to prioritise resources and time to the project and attendance at Train the Trainer sessions is an ongoing commitment
• The new on-line CRM system training has been issued for Housing staff using the system and staff will set aside time to complete the module
• Part of new Steering Group to re-establish procedures for processing/issuing Tenant Recharges
• Officers attend new One Stop Shop at Justice Services on a monthly basis to offer housing options advice to clients
• Discussions with Home Swapper to explore other services offered
• Completed 6-month reviews for each team member’s PDR.
• Half day training session this month focused on new IHMS with an overview of the full system
• During November the Homelessness Team were operating through the new system
• 31 homeless applications were taken
• 6 out of hours calls were taken.

Areas of Focus

• Aim to identify any training needs and hold quarterly sessions for reviewing policies and procedures with officers
• Officers are contributing to an ASP (Adult Protection) Inspection. Contribute to the Allocations Policy review currently being undertaken
• Input to devising new procedures for Any Day Lets which will be introduced as part of IHMS implementation
• Attendance at new 2-weekly Community Harm and Risk Meeting (CHARM) with Police Scotland, Community Safety, Trading Standards and Licensing officers continues. Attendance at East Dunbartonshire Safe and Together steering group is ongoing.
• Hold monthly budget meetings with HRA accountant to keep abreast of costs. Monthly meetings with Void Team at Property Maintenance to focus on improving performance. Monthly attendance at new Housing/Social Work liaison meeting to discuss Throughcare cases and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

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Key areas of focus in November for the Communications & Engagement team included Remembrance Sunday, Taking Part (tenant participation newsletter) and HSCP Budget consultation.

Proactive media relations increased this month with 15 releases issued (eight in October), eight photocalls (eight in October) and 22 media enquiries dealt with (29 in October).

All releases are on the news section and the local coverage achieved equated to an equivalent advertising value of £5,356 (£7,790 in October).

Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube all saw an increase in followers this month. The top three posts on Facebook all related to consultations - Westerhill Development Road and the Sports Pitch Assessment and Strategy.

The top three X posts related to Milngavie BIDs Christmas event, the new playpark at Luggie Park and a Planning consultation.

The most watched video on YouTube was the official opening of the playpark at Luggie Park.

In November 2024, 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 as well as continuing to ensure the Council has adequate insurance arrangements in place, providing advice and support in relation to insurance related queries and acting as a point of escalation in regards to any claims. All business-as-usual work was completed within agreed timescales.

The team also continues to undertake complaints handling at a corporate level, coordinating responses to formal complaints across all service areas, ensuring they are addressed appropriately, and adequate responses are provided within statutory timescales where possible.

Throughout November the Customer Services team progressed with training and familiarisation of the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system introduced in the previous month. Transition to the new CRM has impacted call response times, with an average time to answer phone calls of 5mins 26 secs for the month, above the target of 3mins 30secs. These will continue to be monitored and response times will improve as experience of the new system is developed in the coming weeks and months.

The Emergency Response Centre team has also transitioned to a new digital call handling platform for community alarms, with some final steps in that transition programmed for December. The team will continue to support both East and West Dunbartonshire in the change from analogue to digital, ensuring customers continue to receive a seamless service through this vital upgrade.

The public space CCTV replacement in our town centres progresses with the first new cameras successfully brought online and accessible through the new monitoring system in the Emergency Response Centre.

Recruitment has been undertaken for both Customer Services and the Emergency Response Centre teams with the successful candidates joining in January 2025.

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

The project to replace the Council’s iTrent HR and payroll system with Oracle Fusion’s Human Capital Management (HCM) system remains a key focus for the team. This is a significant piesce of work with the move to monthly pay a key preparatory step in advance of building and implementing the new system. Aligned to the move to monthly pay, engagement sessions have been delivered in recent months to support awareness of the transition to monthly pay, respond to any queriess and support any financial planning required. The need for further sessions will be evaluated following feedback and planned accordingly ahead of the April 2025 change.

Communications & Engagement

• Delivered a social media plan for Bonfire Night focusing on key safety messages
• Supported Book Week Scotland with website updates, what’s on listings and press release
• Co-ordinated BBC Radio Scotland’s use of the Allander Leisure Centre for Children in Need
• Continued promotion of the Scotland Loves Local gift card with creation of videos and paid for social media adverts
• Supported 16 Days of Action against gender-based violence with social media plan and speech writing
• Continued to support Civic Office including Christmas lights switch on, World War II Memorial event and the annual Schools concert.

Corporate Performance & Research

• Work progressed in assuring the effective launch and implementation of the new CRM system in relation to complaints handling and reporting. This includes reporting outputs that will allow for a more detailed and meaningful analysis of complaints at SLT level from Q4 2024/25 onwards
• A new escalation procedure was discussed for implementation in regards to outstanding claims where our claims handlers are waiting for a service response
• Successful submission of our annual Looked After Children and Child Protection data returns
• Discussions were held around the utilisation of the new ACORN market segmentation tool which has been provided to the Council as part of a joint procurement exercise
• Our performance management framework has been refreshed and issued to senior officers
• Continued assistance was provided to the change team in relation to the rollout of Oracle Fusion.

Customer Services

• New and enhanced Customer Relationship Management system ‘go live’ across the Customer Service teams
• New and improved digital telecare Alarm Response system ‘go live’ in the Emergency Response Centre
• Enhanced new CCTV monitoring suite introduced to Emergency Response Centre in readiness for deployment of new public space CCTV cameras
• Customer services participate in the partnership Bonfire Working Group to ensure that November bonfire night is as safe as possible for residents
• CCTV replacement work begins
• Recruitment to vacancies to ensure team able to continue to deliver all aspects of customer and emergency response centre services.

Human Resources & Organisational Development

• Continued engagement with the Trade Unions on strategic and operation HR initiatives
• Continued support for employees and managers on HR policy based and guidance noted, with support in attendance on ER case work
• A number of financial wellbeing session were delivered, covering pension, financial budgeting and planning on a personal level, which were deemed a success by the workforce
• With organisational move to monthly pay, online and face to face workforce briefing sessions took place to update the workforce covering; the rationale for moving to monthly, benefits, supports, and next steps
• Within Payroll Services, the team have maintained and processed the payover of the various payruns including the new monthly pay pilot, within timescales, with the completion of a series of statutory returns
• The HCM Project Board, continued to undertake preparatory work in advance of moving into Project phase in relation to HR/Payroll system
• HROD staff have provided a range of ‘information gathering’ and ‘business scenarios’ aligned to the HCM project
• The People Development team delivered 13 sessions across a number of topics including SMART Working, Induction, H&S, EDC Policy sessions & Leadership topics, Food Hygiene. In total 153 delegates received training
• People Development in conjunction with services, are reviewing the training needs requirements for 2025/26.

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The Allander Leisure Centre hosted special guests as BBC Radio Scotland presenters took part in the Children in Need thousand-mile challenge. The footage was screened on BBC Scotland on Friday 15 November 2024.

The Scottish Schools Swimming Championships heats were held at the Leisuredrome on Saturday 16 November.

There was nearly 100 swimmers competing from 24 local schools and the championship was a great success with contributions from volunteers from the local swimming clubs, EDLC Swimming Development, Active Schools and the Leisuredrome team.

A fully booked taster session for Pilates reformer was held on Thursday 18 November with the feedback from customers and staff being extremely positive. A business case is being completed to look at the feasibility to invest in the equipment and demonstrate a return on investment.

Book Week Scotland

East Dunbartonshire Libraries ran a varied programme of successful events as part of the national celebration of reading and books. A particular highlight was a visit to Bishopbriggs Library by one of Scotland’s best known poets, former Poet Laureat of Scotland and Bishopbriggs alumni, Jackie Kay, being interviewed by comedian Josie Long. Other events included a workshop on creative writing with poet and author Natalie Jayne Clark at William Patrick Library; and a workshop focused on writing for children, with award-winning children’s author, Maisie Chan, at Westerton Library.

Illustration workshops for children were run at William Patrick Library with Helen Kellock, and Milngavie Library with Maria Herbert-Liew.

As part of the commitment to East Dunbartonshire’s Gaelic Plan, Milngavie Library hosted Alasdair Whyte, talking about his book ‘Glasgow’s Gaelic Place Names’.

Celebrating volunteers

The library service relies on volunteers to help provide the invaluable homebound delivery service. During November volunteers were invited to an afternoon tea to celebrate their commitment and hard work. Our partner EDVA presented each volunteer with a certificate and key ring. Singer and music producer Greg Freil provided entertainment and Angel Delights catering provided refreshments, both gave their services at no charge.

Performances, events and displays

Kilmardinny house welcomed 100 theatregoers to see the production of Frankenstein, A Radio Play On Stage, and the Heritage & Arts team teamed up with Kirky Cinema to put on a free screening of Deadpool and Woolverine at The Campsie Memorial Hall, as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) arts project in Lennoxtown. The SPF project continues to provide free arts opportunities in Lennoxtown, including drama and music in the local primary schools and nursery.

Libraries were once again at the heart of annual Christmas Lights switch-on’s, with families enjoying the events at Bishopbriggs, Westerton and William Patrick libraries.

Lennoxtown Library hosted a very successful author’s talk about Antarctica, while Milngavie library organized a Wintering Well walk.  William Patrick library hosted a staffed display by Marie Curie

William Patrick Library had a busy month of community events; hosting displays by Marie Curie, local Befrienders, and the Lennox Partnership which provides support to parents and carers. 

CPD

The Children & Families team provided training to Nursery Staff on how to use songs, rhymes and books in a Nursery setting. The event was held at the Barony, with twelve Nursery staff participating and two support teachers observing.

Digital Engagement

1,895 people accessed our online museum and archives collections catalogue, and 595 walkers engaged with the online Trails & Tales stories, while the Heritage & Arts Flickr account attracted 1,407 users.  

The service review process for Active Schools and Sports Development departments completed its first stage with the recruitment of the new Active Schools & Community Sport Manager. Fiona Thom was appointed into the position at the end of November and will commence her new role

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The Service has made very good progress against priorities in the Business and Improvement Plan (BIP) 2024-2027.

• The Quality Improvement Team (QIT) are completing their visits to all Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Early Year Centres where they have been engaging in professional dialogue to discuss attainment and any areas that can be further supported by the QIT
• The first Additional Support Needs (ASN) Seminar of the academic year took place. Almost all schools and specialist provisions were represented, including partners from social work, health, early years, primary and secondary sectors. Senior leaders in education, our central teams and members of the Education Leadership Team (ELT) were also represented. There was a clear focus on CIRCLE and all schools attending evaluated a pupil voice capture document in support of Inclusive Classroom Scaling and UNCRC in the classroom
• A team of HM Inspectors from Education Scotland visited Twechar Primary School and Early Years Centre. This was a very positive inspection, and the Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be published in the New Year. The full report will be shared at a future Education Committee
• A team of staff completed a Quality Review of Colquhoun Park Primary and Early Years Centre where strengths and areas for development were identified and shared with staff.

• Castlehill Primary School has successfully retained their status as a Gold Rights Respecting School (RRS). This is their 11^th year retaining the highest stage of UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting Schools Award scheme. The school will be involved in sharing their high standard of practice
• St Matthew’s and Harestanes Primary have been successful in gaining their Silver Reading Schools Awards
• Mosshead Primary School have successfully achieved their Eco Green Flag Award
• Oxgang Primary School are now a Silver RRS and Silver Reading Award School.

Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Supporting Families

• Parental Involvement and Engagement questionnaires have been developed and shared with parents across all East Dunbartonshire (EDC) Early Year Centres (EYCs), Primary, Secondary and ASN provisions. Results will be analysed to inform the revised Parental Involvement and Engagement framework
• Leadership questionnaires have been developed and shared with all teaching staff in Primary, Secondary and ASN schools to inform the Leadership Strategic groups development of a Leadership Framework
• During November the Pathways Through Play project provided play sessions for families with children aged from birth to four years old in three of our Early Years Centres within areas of Place. Sessions involve practitioners, children and parents to promote the importance of the home learning environment for early language development and deliver key messages to parents and carers about playing, talking, and reading with their child from birth
• Most schools hosted gifting events to distribute the Scottish Book Trust Bookbug and Read, Write, Count packs to P1, P2 and P3 cohorts
• Reading Pedagogy professional learning sessions delivered by the Literacy Development Officer were attended by almost 50 practitioners across Early Years and Primary establishments. All practitioners who completed the evaluation of the sessions either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that the sessions had provided them with a greater understanding on the components of reading
• 27 out of our 32 primary schools are now registered as Reading Schools with the Scottish Book Trust
• The second Language and Communication Friendly Establishments session took place to evaluate the learning and progress across early years centres. Sixteen centres have completed evaluations and submitted evidence of progress Centre visits took place to share practice and impact on learners All champions in attendance provided positive feedback of the visits and evidence of next steps. Practitioners are now looking at supportive strategies to develop language and communication skills and planning for sustaining improvements as we near completion of the three-year programme
• Almost all funded childminders attended a professional learning session focusing on evaluating the quality of their service and introducing Care Inspectorate practice notes exemplifying highly effective practice and new practice frameworks to support service improvement. All childminders in the session reported that the session was informative and will support in identified areas of improvement.

ASN and Children’s Services

• S6 Pupils from St Ninian’s and Turnbull High School have developed a Talking Mat based on UNCRC Rights of the child to be used in communication partners activities with local primary schools
• As part of the Whole family Wellbeing Fund school based social workers have begun working with St Ninian’s and Kirkintilloch High school, Hillhead Primary, Harestanes Primary and Holy Trinity Primary to offer early help support to children, young people and families
• 18 staff from across education, social work and health services received a three-day in-person Level 1 Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) training at Boclair Academy. The Level 1 course is accredited by NVR UK, detailing the basic principles of NVR. Level 2 training will be held in March 2025
• The HI Sensory Service joined colleagues from West Dunbartonshire Council in Clydebank for a Technical Information Workshop facilitated by Cochlear Implant Specialists from Crosshouse Hospital. Attended by Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People, and Support for Learning Assistants (BSL), this workshop provided practical guidance for assisting pupils wearing Cochlear Implants, such as maintenance, troubleshooting and new technology
• The first My Voice My Choice (EDC Pupil Forum) of the new academic year meeting took place online with almost all EDC schools in attendance. New pupil representatives were given information regarding governance of the forum and key themes for this year were discussed; namely, Cost of the School Day, Anti-Bullying and Equalities, Mobile Phones, Child-Friendly Complaints and Child-Friendly School Improvement Planning. The session was evaluated highly by all who attended
• A pilot in support of Young Carers will be supported by four Secondary schools over the next academic session, this will further raise awareness in staff teams to ensure that individuals receive the right support at the right time
• The Keeping the Promise Award will be supported by central education teams and schools' commitment to completing the award will be recorded and acknowledged. The award will be further implemented across the entire Council, with a clear expectation that all services will embark on this journey in support of #KeepingthePromise
• GIRFEC refreshed plans and guidance were shared alongside updated guidance for the School Nursing Provision for East Dunbartonshire. All those attending the session provided valuable evaluative feedback stating the event was valuable and that the information provided was crucial in further supporting their learners with additional support needs
• West of Scotland Development Education Centre (WOSDEC) recently provided training in relation to national approach to Anti-Racism. The team explored the Anti-Racist curriculum and provided useful resources for education establishments around building racial literacy, clearly linking their sessions to UNCRC. 44 participants across early years, primary, secondary, youth work, and our central education team attended the sessions
• Annual professional learning for senior leaders within education was delivered around Bullying and Equalities. 38 senior leaders attended the session across all settings, including members of the education central team. The session has a clear focus regarding the duties placed on educational settings with regards to the Equality Act, using the revised Technical Guidance for Schools in Scotland. Participants are directed to resources to support their understanding of how to avoid breaching the Equality Act in their setting, recording events in school linking to the Bullying and Equalities module on Seemis, and Respect for All revised Anti-Bullying Guidance 2024
• Targeted training is ongoing and has been delivered to ensure key staff are supported to use the Bullying and Equalities (BEM) module. There has been an increased usage in BEM across all schools which demonstrates a more consistent approach to the recording and monitoring of bullying
• Ongoing training has been co-delivered with support from SEEMIS system information support adviser to use the Chronology of Significant Events (COSE) in secondary schools The impact of training is measurable as there significantly more chronologies now initiated. Through analysis of individualised planning, outcomes for children and young people are improving through using chronologies to help analysis patterns and trends
• Almost all staff from early years attended a training session to build a shared understanding of using Chronologies, embedded within GIRFEC national practice model. The session was evaluated highly, and practitioners have agreed additional guidance for early years would be helpful to help disseminate key messages to the teams in nurseries and family learning centres This will be actioned, and ongoing support in place.

Educational Psychology Service (EPS)

• The Nurture Evaluation report is now complete together with a three-year summary of high-level messages which will be circulated. This report will be sent to DCYPP and then to a future Education Committee
• Two Professional Learning Communities (PLC) were held on further developing play pedagogy
• The CIRCLE Steering group has met to oversee and plan next steps in whole school implementation
• One Up Up and Away PLC has taken place with the six pilot Early Years Centres which allowed for practice sharing of the enriching communication tool, and specific workshops based around areas identified as targets at previous whole authority session (outdoor learning, core words visuals and supporting children for whom English is an Additional Language).

School Planning and Improvement

• Registrations for the Primary 1 intake for August 2025 was performed along with the registrations for the Primary 7 to S1 transfer. We will be working with Shared Services to fully analyse the registrations.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

• The Local Employability Partnership (LEP) held its first ever Employability Day in the East Dunbartonshire Campus. Over 70 people attended the event and accessed support from a range of organisations who work together as part of the Partnership. Feedback from the event was very positive and the LEP plan to organise further events in 2025.

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The month of November saw the Finance Team preparing for the year end tasks required for the collation of 2023/24 accounts. The Oracle Fusion General Ledger system project has been signed off as Green status with a few legacy tickets to be completed. Movement into Phase 2 of the budget system with HCM is now commencing.  Period 5 Revenue monitoring, HRA and Capital reports have now been completed. Final and residual external audit queries on the 2022/23 accounts are also being completed.

The Council continues to deliver against an ambitious capital programme supported largely by borrowing.

Treasury Management Reporting continues to highlight the increasing revenue costs associated with the current programme with ongoing affordability being challenged within a tight funding settlement.  Reports to Council have provided updates on the programme, the associated costs and any mitigations required.

The Revenues and Benefits team have continued to progress Council Tax and Benefits services and administration of the Scottish Welfare Fund.  Some senior officers have retired in recent months and the service continues to adapt to those changes.

The Council Tax Collection Rate at 73.82% is behind target (74.27%) at this stage. The profile of payments can change with people’s economic circumstances and more people choosing to pay their Council tax over 12 rather than 10 months. Collection of Council tax continues to be closely monitored with the Council’s Recovery and Enforcement Procedures being applied and individuals being signposted to the exemptions and discounts available as appropriate. 

The Shared Services Team continues to provide support across all Council services. The Education Team have opened school registrations and started processing the applications. The Homecare Team continues to support a new initiative from the Planning & Commissioning Team processing variations in addition to their normal workload. The Transactional Finance Team and Business & Digital Change team completed the implementation of the new charging framework for Homecare which came into effect on 29 September. Remittances for the new rates were included in the November payment run.

The ICT Services team continues 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 1,184 tickets in November and dealt with 325 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.

During October and November, the Housing service has been transitioning to a new Integrated Housing Management System (IHMS). While this process is ongoing, some data is temporarily unavailable. When the new IHMS is fully operational, the data can be validated for accuracy and backdated. The information will be incorporated in due course.

The maximisation of housing rental income and pursuit of rent arrears continues to be a priority for the service, to safeguard income. There is a dedicated team of Officers, whose role is to actively pursue rent arrears and provide advice and support to tenants struggling to pay their rent. This includes issuing letters, home visits, telephone calls, emails, etc, which begin as soon as arrears are accrued on a rent account; pre tenancy advice on rent charges, payment options and discussing rent affordability to new tenants at the time of offer acceptance of their new tenancy; signposting tenants struggling financially to relevant support services to ensure household incomes are maximised; having a weekly presence at Kirkintilloch Job Centre to provide additional support for tenants in receipt of the housing element of Universal Credit; and escalating arrears actions to include court action or eviction for serious rent arrears cases.

The Tenant Participation Team continues to provide direct ongoing support to active Tenants and Residents Associations.

The Business & Digital Change Team continues to support services across the Council in the delivery of key strategic digital development projects. 

The Team also continues to support our corporate business systems, ensuring incidents are resolved promptly and that all systems remain supported and upgraded in line with an agreed plan. We also ensure our systems are reliable, resilient, scalable, standardised, value for money and secure.

Work continues on the 2024/25 plan with work recently completed including the Environmental Protection and a consultancy note on Grey Fleet.  The audits nearing completion are Allpay consultancy work and Payroll. 

The team have responded to requests from management for consultancy work and advice where this contributes to the control environment, governance arrangements or enhances risk management.

The Corporate Fraud Team has been focusing on the investigation of referrals received and proactive vetting of applications for services such as Housing, Education, Licensing and Estates to secure the gateways by preventing fraud or error entering the systems. 

Data matches for a selected number of reports have been received in the first release of reports received from the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), which is a data matching exercise undertaken by Audit Scotland to identify fraud and error. Further matches are expected to be released for sifting then investigation in December 2024. Employee resource gaps due to the recent loss of two Officers will delay the commencement of the sifting and investigation process.

The new fraud management system went live 30 October and the system is working as envisaged.  

The Corporate Fraud team have commenced the development of in-house anti-fraud and bribery training package but this paused in order that resources could be devoted to development of the new fraud management system. This will be progressed when resources allow.

Finance

• The Oracle Fusion General Ledger system project has now been signed off as Green status with a few legacy tickets to be completed. Phase 2 with HCM and PBCS / Fusion has now commenced and likely to last for 18 months
• Period 5 monitoring reports are now complete
• The team is processing audit adjustments to the Council accounts as the external auditors finalise their work on 2022/23 accounts.
• Staff development is a key focus and given a challenging external recruitment market, the service is continuing 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
• The 2023/24 year end is now underway with an agreed timetable for accounts production. The timetable is a stretch target for the team, with multiple competing priorities ongoing
• Budget workings have now started for the 2025/26 budget.

Revenues and Benefits

• In the month of November, the team issued:
  • 2,250 Council Tax bills and 6,260 Benefits notifications
  • 160 Non-Domestic Rates bills
• 260 crisis grants and community care grant applications were received
• The team received and dealt with 1,400 documents for Council Tax queries and reduction and 450 for benefits. In addition, the team received over 2,200 ATLAS notifications from DWP
• The team dealt with 2,530 telephone enquiries.

ICT Services

• ICT Services are working closely with the Business and Digital Change Team to implement M365.
• The Infrastructure Team:
  • Installed 11 additional wireless access points at Bishopbriggs Academy
  • Decommissioned 6 obsolete servers
  • Renewed and replaced digital certificates for remote access servers
  • Installed a new site server at Baljaffray Primary School and moved devices to Windows 11
    • ICT Security have:
  • Maintained the Council’s perimeter defences
  • Supported the go live of the new website with updated configuration for internal access.

Shared Services

• The Residential Team added 79 service agreements to CareFirst for clients moving into care homes or for supported living services within their own homes
• The Homecare Team added over 165 service agreements to CareFirst for clients receiving a homecare service or a direct payment
• Direct Payment Audit Team – 32 audits completed, 28 standard and 4 final audits finalised for clients receiving self-direct support
• The EMA Team processed 17 applications.

Housing Rent Arrears

• Housing Officers continue to utilise all avenues to maximise rental income and reduce rent arrears, escalating actions against tenants whose rent arrears are increasing, and also providing advice and assistance to tenants who engage and need additional support
• Appointments with a Housing Officer are available at Kirkintilloch Job Centre every Tuesday morning to assist tenants in receipt of the Universal Credit housing element
• A Tenant Participation carried out an exercise of the Interested Tenants List
• Reducing active tenant rent arrears continues to be a priority for the Housing Service.

Business & Digital Change

• The Business Systems Team have successfully upgraded 2 systems in the period. They have also managed 34 incidents, 1 system integration and supported 6 projects
• New cloud-based Leisure Trust Finance system (Trust Tech One) successfully implemented and now live
• Carefirst Care and Support contracts rate changes implemented following the new Scotland Excel Care & Support Flexible Framework contract award
• Glasgow City Carefirst remote access services restored following Carefirst technical upgrade
• The Advisory stage of Phase 2 of the Oracle Fusion project is complete and preparation work is ongoing for the initial design stage to begin mid-December
• Successful implementation of Phase 1 of the NEC Housing Management system, currently working through any residual snagging and providing post live support to the Housing Service
• The remaining analogue telecare alarms will be switched to our new digital platform on December 12, completing our transition
• The tender for Sheltered Housing modernisation will be published mid-December for evaluations in the new year
• Work has begun on the 3-weekly collection implementation for residential waste collections, utilising the new route management software.

Internal Audit

• The team continues to work on the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan, with an outturn of 75% completion being targeted in line with revised resources
• 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
• An Audit & Risk Management Committee self-assessment and was considered at the November Committee meeting
• A report summarising outstanding audit actions was produced for committee.

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 previous National Fraud Initiative
• Preparation work is underway for the next NFI exercise with the team checking the format of datasets received from services prior to upload
• The team also continues to undertake vetting on applications, from a number of services, in order to prevent to fraud and any potential reputational damage
• The team is focused on maximising its value adding activity through prioritising large value cases, which in some instances are challenging to resolve and may require an update of the policy base to support action – specifically the creation of a Communications Data Policy.

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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 November 2024, the HSCP has performed above target on two of its three identified performance indicators. Data for the third performance indicator is unavailable at the time of reporting.

• The Allander was the winner in the Leisure and Arts category of the Glasgow Institute of Architects awards
• Three public consultations were launched to gather the views of stakeholders on the draft HSCP Strategic Plan 2025-30; the draft Fair Access to Social Care Services (Children and Families) Policy; and the HSCP’s budget for 2025/26
• Promotional activity in support of:
  • Occupational Therapy Week
  • Launch of a Care Home winter pack and webinar by the NHSGGC Care Home Collaborative
  • UK Malnutrition Awareness Week
  • Power of Attorney Day and Sessions
  • Tackling violence against women and girls event in Kirkintilloch
  • Time Space Compassion event in Kirkintilloch
  • Carers’ Rights Day.

HSCP Wide:

• Develop HSCP Strategic Plan 2025 onwards.
• Review and reframe locality focussed working to deliver community-led support approach in line with agreed strategic direction to address the financial context
• Improve online accessibility and signposting to information and services through further development and promotion of the HSCP website
• Progression of Property Strategy to redesign and refresh current accommodation
• Implement actions in the HSCP Digital Strategy.

Children and Criminal Justice Services:

• Continue to develop as a Trauma Informed organisation
• Prepare for the launch of Phase 2 of The Promise Plan 24/30
• Ongoing implementation of Children’s House Project model
• Implement Children & Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing action plan.

Adult Services:

• Development of improvement plan following the outcome of Joint Inspection of Adult Support and Protection arrangements and delivery of improvement actions
• Review of Learning Disability accommodation-based services
• Review of commissioned services for adult mental health and alcohol and drugs services to further implement a recovery focused approach
• Devise and deliver year 1 actions of the East Dunbartonshire Dementia Strategy Action Plan
• Preparation for Adult Services Inspection & Completion of Adult Services Integrated Audit Self Evaluation project
• Implement the 2024/25 actions of the Older Peoples Social Support Strategy.

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Land Planning & Development have progressed a number of significant work streams during November 2024 in line with the Business Improvement Plan commitments. 

• Work on the Evidence Gathering process for Local Development Plan 3 is ongoing. A public consultation on the Council’s preferred option for the Local Housing Land Requirement for LDP3 commenced on 4 November 2024 running until 13 December 2024. A drop-in information session was held on 28 November 2024 in Milngavie Community Library and Education Centre
• Consultations on draft planning guidance on the Historic Environment and revised draft guidance on Developer Contributions are also being undertaken in conjunction with the current consultation on the Local Housing Land Requirement
• 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. Targeted engagement on the Play Sufficiency Assessment was undertaken throughout November, including online surveys for children, parents and carers. An in-person engagement session was held in Turnbull High School and was attended by pupils from Bishopbriggs Academy, Bearsden Academy and St Machan’s Primary as well as pupils from the host school
• The Economic Development & Place Policy Officer is continuing to work with internal services on the monitoring and delivery of the Circular Economy Strategy and continue early discussions on a refreshed Economic Development Strategy. A meeting of the East Dunbartonshire Economic Partnership (EDEP) will take place in early December.

• Further progress was made on the development of the Draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) including core parts of the document being sent to Executive Officers for feedback. A draft of the CAP was sent to the Council’s consultants to undertake the SEA while meetings for the Net Zero Focus Group, the Adaptation and Nature Based Solution Working Group and the Climate Change Member Officer Group are all being scheduled in early 2025 to allow a coordinated Draft CAP to be taken to Council at the earliest opportunity, prior to public consultation. The consultants have been tasked with developing a sustainability impact assessment process for alignment of Council Spend with Net Zero which is expected in December
• Following Council approval of the draft Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and Delivery Plan in September 2024, a public consultation was held from the 1 October to the 29th including a bespoke stakeholder engagement event that was held on the 23 October. A report of consultation and Heat Network Review Statement are being prepared to be taken to Council with the final LHEES and Delivery Plan in December. A bid for SPF funding and HNSU funding are being developed to begin delivery against the actions in the Delivery Plan and a meeting was organised with the Scottish Government’s Heat Network Support Unit to explore funding for feasibility studies
• Data was gathered on the Council’s carbon footprint for the 2023/24 financial year and emissions in the East Dunbartonshire Council area for the 2022 financial year and a technical note on the Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report was distributed in November to give members and senior officers the opportunity to contribute to the Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report before it was submitted on 30 November. An enhanced Carbon Management Plan was drafted, which provides an analysis of the Council’s corporate emissions and total emissions in East Dunbartonshire, in preparation for a report to be taken to Council in December 2024. Initial information for the Climate Scorecards was also prepared in advance of the deadline for submission in December
• Funding bids for a Fuel Poverty Investment Fund to support delivery of the LHEES Delivery Plan and Community Climate Funding Officer to build on the Carbon Literacy Programme are being developed to try and secure funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund. New funding sources are being actively sought to progress the Nature-Based Investment Study which would quantify the current greenhouse gas emission absorption potential of nature in East Dunbartonshire and set out options to leverage additional public and private investment to support environmental outcomes and contribute towards the Council’s net zero targets by quantifying the estimated emission absorption potential of nature while delivering meaningful action to preserve and bolster flourishing biodiversity
• Additional sessions for the Community Carbon Literacy Training Programme have been scheduled. A total of 118 people have now completed the accredited Community Carbon Literacy Training in addition to 6 people who attended the online introductory session. The training is being actively promoted and new sessions are being organised every month in the 2024/25 financial year
• Officers engaged with consultants who Strathclyde Partnership for Transport are funding to support Councils in developing an employee travel survey. Officers also attended a range of events including a Low Carbon Affordable Housing Workshop, SPT's Council Liaison Group Meeting and SPT's Regional Bus Strategy Infrastructure meeting.

• The Team is currently working with colleagues in Business & Digital Change and ICT to prepare for a major update of our ArcGIS software which will ensure our software is up-to-date and which will introduce improved functionality. We are experiencing issues with the dated version which we are currently running including server layers not loading
• The Team are currently working with a number of Teams across the Council on a range of GIS projects including Customer Relationship Management and RMMS (roads management system) Integration, Preparing and Managing Survey123 surveys, Mapping support for FOI, Shapefiles data requests, updating GIS data /Online Maps, Postcodes Data Requests, CAD Map Tile, Survey123 Notifications and the preparation of the Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy. The Team also continues to support the preparation of the LDP Evidence Report
• The Team have completed allotments waiting list integration with ArcGIS and tested the matrix algorithm automation and shared the waiting list with the Council’s Allotment Officer. An allotments consultation questionnaire survey (using Survey123) went live in November as part of a targeted consultation on the Allotments Regulations and Allocation Matrix the outcome of which will be reported to PNCA Committee in January along with the finalised Allotments Regulations.

• The Team have completed multiple IDOX requests from Teams across the Council during the month. These requests are related to updating the IDOX templates.

• The Team completed multiple address register/update requests and several address queries and new ArcGIS online accounts requests from Teams across the Council.

• The new IHMS is now in a live environment. Staff continue to work closely with the IHMS team to resolve issues. Training to support the transition to the new system is taking place via individual in-person sessions and at the Housing half day training at the end of each month
• Systems Officers are assisting with day-to-day processing of direct debits and the set-up of rent accounts in the live IHMS and continue to monitor/escalate issues as they arise
• Performance Monitoring Officers continue to complete monthly performance statistics and dashboards that inform the HGIOS Report and Annual Return on the Charter. In addition, a Quarterly Return is voluntarily submitted to Scotland’s Housing Network that informs an annual benchmarking analysis against other social landlords
• Performance Monitoring Officers are completing a monthly Voids Return for Scotland’s Housing Network who are actively monitoring voids timescales nationally
• Policy Officers continue to review the current Allocations Policy, gathering views from Stakeholders and have begun a process of engagement via workshops on key aspects of the policy
• Policy Officers are undertaking a desktop review of the Local Housing Strategy 23-28 in order to prepare an Annual Update to be submitted to Ministers in December 2024
• Procurement of a new Digital Telecare system is ongoing. The project team are ensuring the successful transition of analogue telecare to digital telecare throughout the sheltered complexes and will deliver in-person briefings to tenants at each site
• The Housing Estates Officer is working closely with sheltered housing Wardens to ensure a robust service is provided to tenants during the Telecare switchover to the new system and to minimise disruption to tenants as equipment is removed and replaced.

• 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. A range of support is provided via the team and the Business Gateway contract to new emerging and existing businesses. This includes provision of local business support grants to support start up and growth SMEs
• The Digital Development Grant has been launched and is fully subscribed based on available funding via the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). As it stands the funds will therefore end 31 March 2025. Applications are being processed. The Green Business Support grant is underway, again funded by UKSPF and this will help businesses analyse how they practice and identity green measures and support that can be provided via a grant process. The team continues to develop the site enabling and regeneration grant set to go live later in 2024. The Social Enterprise Grant has now closed for applications and has been fully allocated
• Digital Boost will no longer be funded through Scottish Government although webinars will continue to be delivered by Business Gateway National. The team are using currently available expertise to support companies on their digital journey, as well as developing further internal expertise
• Growth and inward investment enquiries are being supported and coordinated by the team, directing them primarily to masterplan locations (Kirkintilloch Gateway, and the emerging Westerhill masterplan area).

• The team continues with a range of work to ensure the delivery of the Council’s City Deal project. The Outline Business Case (in-line with City Deal & HM Greenbook requirements) was approved at the Glasgow City Region 5^th Work is underway on the Final Business Case stage  for the two project elements – Bishopbriggs Town Centre and Westerhill Development Road
• The Westerhill Regeneration Area Masterplan and its associated delivery plan is now approved. Work is taking place to examine at how different aspect of the WRA can be supported into a delivery stage, out with the current City Deal project elements
• Work is ongoing on the Westerhill Development Road which is currently at DMRB Stage 3. The Pre-application Notice for planning application for the WDR has been submitted, and statutory consultation took place in November and will again February/March 2025. Following which the formal planning application will be submitted
• Work continues on the next stages of the design process for Bishopbriggs Town Centre. The A803 project is now out with the scope of City Deal, as per report to Council on 21^st August, but work continues to look at how this can be funded and delivered through other means.

• The Campsie Memorial Hall project in Lennoxtown secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and design work is progressing
• The programme management of the Shared Prosperity Fund is ongoing to support services and projects across the Council. A range of projects have been identified and are being progressed for implementation up to March 2025
• The Lennoxtown Main Street Improvement Project has concluded the development of technical designs. Progress to the construction phase will be subject to external funding, which is being examined
• Work is well underway on the Twechar Canalside Outdoor Pursuits Centre project, and work is ongoing in relation to the lease arrangement ahead of the centre opening next year
• Work is ongoing with the Milngavie BID and Kirkintilloch BID as they move through year one of a five-year term
• Analysis of the Canal Festival has been completed.

• The construction phase of Canniesburn Toll Improvement Project has completed and the majority of traffic management has been removed. The activation of the new traffic light system took place over October and November. Detailed updates have been provided in various Technical Notes
• 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 various active travel paths
• Work is progressing on the A807 Active travel route, and construction has started for stage 1a. The associated TROs for the project have been approved
• The BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire App has been launched to promote active travel. The Traffic Free Schools pilot continues, and it will be reviewed and reported on to determine longer term implication of the work to enhance accessibility and sustainable modes of transport for children and school communities.
• 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
• Work is ongoing in partnership with the Glasgow City Region to develop a delivery option to increase regional and local Electric Vehicle charging network provision.

• During the reporting period the planning side of the team has determined 55 applications and validated 60 applications.
• The Building Standards team have received 83 building warrants and approved 102 applications
• The Enforcement Team opened 7 new cases and closed 3cases.
• The Development Applications team have been busy preparing reports for the next forthcoming Planning Board Meeting and Local Review Body
• Both Planning and Building Standards teams continue to offer support and informal advice to customers through our daily duty service Monday to Friday.

• IHMS now live
• BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire App launch and uptake
• Stakeholder engagement workshops on Allocations Policy
• Telecare provision in a dispersed environment.

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Throughout November, the Democratic Services Teams continued to support the internal governance of the Council, in addition to certain regulatory functions. Implementation of Modern.Gov is now supporting paperless meetings in addition to writing committee reports, managing the diary, preparing, and issuing agendas and the publication of committee papers to the Council’s website. The App was rolled out to Members during September in advance of the introduction of paperless meetings, which were introduced on 1 October. The App assists Members in using electronic versions of Committee papers and is key to the introduction of paperless meetings. The next phase of the roll out to Members will relate to Registers of Interest and is scheduled for January/February 2025. In addition, work remains ongoing to develop the system for use in the preparation, approval, and publication of Technical Notes and Contract Standing Orders waiver forms. In time, it will also be used to support public engagement and consultation, and a petitions function. 

During October, the Team supported various meetings of the Council and its Committees and Boards. This included the Education, Policy & Resources, and Audit & Risk Management Committees. In addition, the team covered a number of external meetings including support for Children’s Hearing Scotland recruitment and business activities and various civil contingencies planning and reporting meetings.

During November, a new permanent microphone system was installed in the Council chambers. This secured the permanent microphone replacement and move to wireless technology which is more effective and reliable than previous microphones. It also provides greater flexibility in the use of the chamber.

The Council continued to deliver registration services during November and supported neighbouring authorities in response to a general increase in demand. In addition, the service continued to engage with partners across Greater Glasgow as part of resilience planning for winter in relation to both storage and registration.

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, in addition to business-as-usual support in relation to freedom of information and data protection.

• Registration & Customer Services completed 68 birth and 157 death registrations in October. 35 marriages were also registered in this period.
• Continued development of the new committee administration system, which included further support for elected members and senior officers in the move to paperless meetings which commenced on 1^st
• Information Management received & processed 157 FOI/EIRs and 28 SARs (Subject Access Requests).

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 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 November is 100% except for housing repair grants which was 83%. This represents one grant which was late as a result of the authorised signatory being on leave.

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.

• During November, the Team processed 2 contract review forms and 1 contract award letters, 17 taxi licence applications, and 7 housing repair grants. All were granted within the required timescales. Considering this, it is not proposed to take any steps currently other than to continue to monitor progress against the set PIs
• The Team continued to provide support to the wider City Deal team with advice and support including supporting negotiating Westerhill Development Road Stage 3 ground investigation contract, supporting the development of Westerhill Development Road construction contract and drafting licence for site investigations for the Bishopbriggs Town Centre Civic Space
• Property and planning work included a s75 agreement for developer contributions towards affordable housing, education, primary healthcare and open space provision in connection with 11 unit residential development at Castlehill Farm, Duntocher Rd, Bearsden and the completion of the disposal of land at United Social Club in Hillhead, Kirkintilloch. This included a clause for 30% of any sale receipts in excess of the property’s current value if there is a housing development
• Contracts and procurement work in this period included concluding the of construction contract for Bishopbriggs Primary School accelerated works package, supporting negotiation of construction contract and client-side professional services contract for the Bearsden Hub RAAC removal project, renewal of the Council’s IT firewall, a contract with City of Glasgow College for the provision of SVQ Qualifications and agreement with Scottish Water for the funding of the Milngavie Reservoirs Partnership Project
• Grants offers accepted included from Transport Scotland for 20mph speed limit implementation measures, energy efficient improvement measures, development of 20 units at Thorn Road, Bearsden, Tier 2 Active Travel Infrastructure Fund and Bikeability grant
• 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 including ASN Tribunal work appeals. Support was also provided to the Housing Appeals Board.

During November, the Procurement Team continued to support services across the Council in the delivery of various projects, including ongoing support to several strategic procurements/projects, particularly in relation to City Deal, ICT, Business & Digital Change, and various Capital projects. In particular, the Team continued to be heavily involved in data cleansing, Solution redesign, Communication planning, Key User training and support, Data Reconciliation and Supplier data correction as part of the ongoing management of the new Fusion Financial system. This has placed a significant demand on the resources of the Team as it leads four of the six workstreams.  In addition to the above, the Team is now planning for a major upgrade to the Fusion system and the implementation of the Supplier Portal model. The upgrade is of such magnitude that it requires to be managed as a project in its own right and will require support from other Council services. 

The Team also continuously works to manage and support the operational activity in terms of the buyers work centre, Fusion catalogue management, supplier management and payment processing, and in October remained focussed on delivering against the increased demand from Services around queries in relation to Fusion, whilst managing the ongoing implementation, remodelling and updating of the System.

During October, the Team was heavily involved with multiple Capital programme requirements, system software renewals, Housing New Build Maintenance support while continuing embedding of the replacement for the Oracle Financial system and next phases of the project. 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, Fusion catalogues, supplier management and payment processing.

The team has been co-ordinating the actions instructed by SLT in regard to additional authorisations and prioritisations around spend controls, and the contract requirements against budgets, through newly implemented governance procedures and controls.

• 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, Lenzie Academy, IHMS, Westerhill Development Road, Fusion HCM, school estate Professional Fees, school maintenance works whilst supporting workforce of the future planning and Business as Usual workstreams
• Participation in extensive meetings and workshops to train, test, reconcile data transfer and solution implementation for the Oracle Fusion Redwood upgrade
• Completed renewals for support and maintenance of business-critical systems to facilitate workforce of the future
• Ongoing support to the /implementation of Fusion to support the technical requirements for Payment integrations, Managed Stores and e-invoicing
• Ongoing data analysis in preparation of the 2023-2024 Annual Procurement Report to include alignments with organisational Climate Action Planning, Circular Economy Strategy, Community Wealth Building & the City Region Community Wish List planning
• Processing and payment of Welfare Support Payments in line with Council support requirements
• Completed planning and communications in relation to Christmas payment processing timescales
• Continued efforts to clear backlog of invoices planning and communications for Oracle Fusion
• Continued Business Critical expenditure considerations within Buyers Work Centre
• Ongoing work on the review of Contract Standing Orders for alignment with organisational changes, financial management and Procurement governance
• Continued End of Financial year planning in alignment with the implementation of a new finance system, managing the backlog resulting from the system downtime and managing business as usual
• Continued workstreams for the Oracle Fusion upgrade to Redwood Self Service Procurement, including testing and revisiting personalisation to consider business impacts
• Continued workstreams for the implementation of the Oracle Fusion Supplier Portal, including testing and revisiting system set up prior to roll out in December
• Review of resourcing considerations to support Project workload and business as usual priorities.

During November, the Strategic Commissioning Team continued to monitor the commissioned market as supply & demand pressures, on-going workforce and recruitment issues and the cost-of-living crisis continued to challenge the sector.  The Team also continued to support the HSCP to progress key strategic and budget related priorities  and has been integral in  leading on several implementation streams recently approved by the Board.

• Progressed  budget saving proposals which includes  extensive engagement and negotiation with providers / services on a collective and individual basis
• Contributed to / informed progression of the HSCP’s key Strategic and Service Reviews
• Continued to advise and support local implementation of Scotland Excel’s  Care and Support Framework Agreement and  Board approved contracting arrangements
• Supported a local provider with presenting sustainability issues and identified a mutual solution
• Attended national event geared towards guiding / informing local implementation of the Safe Staffing Act
• Continued to attend the HSCP’s Oversight group ensuring there is appropriate escalation, oversight and governance across all commissioned registered and non-registered services
• Engaged with and support local provider to improve service performance and ensure on-going compliance
• Continued to support the transition of children to adult services and implemented plans to alleviate delayed discharge via the identification of suitable residential accommodation
• In line with national policy, progressed & implemented Children and Families Scottish Living Wage uplifts
• Commissioned bespoke supported accommodation placements to accommodate and support individuals with complex and challenging behaviours in the local community.

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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 eight 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
8. Corporate Health & Safety Team.

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, Finance and Health & Safety. 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.

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 some vacancies for operational posts. However, the Service has commenced the recruitment process for a Senior Streetlighting Technician as there will be a vacant post later in the year and the hope is that there will be an opportunity for a smooth handover to the new post holder.

The 2024/25 capital programmes for carriageway, footway resurfacing and lighting projects have commenced. The first three Technical Notes were issued in April, July, and October with the next update due in January with an update on works concluded to date and work re-sequenced due to external factors. Regrettably, the Streetlighting Team are continuing to work at a reduced capacity, so this is likely to affect the projected capital programme. However, as stayed the team are in the process of recruiting replacement staff so it is hoped that capacity may increase going forward.

The Roads Network Team Leader and Senior Roads Technician continue to oversee the cyclical Safety Inspections and responses to ad-hoc enquiries.

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 Traffic Officer also liaise with Police Scotland colleagues to monitor any road related incidents.

The three geographical based teams are preparing to commence their summer grounds maintenance programmes including grass cutting operations, herbicide treatment, care of Gardens service, play area inspections 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 manages burials in the eight operational cemeteries.

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

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. Ash Dieback Information will be communicated over the coming months as this is an issue that will become more prominent, and it is important to update elected members and communities on potential tree work resulting from the completed surveys.

The team are also currently overseeing the delivery of the Climate Ready Park Project in Etive Park, Bishopbriggs which is currently on schedule despite the recent inclement weather.

The team is also progressing a number of Play Area improvement and replacement projects throughout East Dunbartonshire.

The Waste Team has continued the frontline service operations for the collection of over 400,000 assorted household bins over the month of November, providing residual, recycling, food, garden and special waste collections on behalf of the Authority. The team has also managed the waste and recycling collections from over 400 of our local commercial premises and provides recycling disposal provision at the Mavis Valley Recycling Centre.

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 1760 tonnes of waste through this contract in November, ensuring our waste undergoes treatment for recycling extraction prior to being sent through an Energy from Waste process.

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

Fleet Management has worked in partnership with services and officers from procurement in order to specify, tender and procure further vehicles and associated items of specialist plant, suitable for service users’ needs and to coincide with 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.

The Corporate Health and Safety team provides a range of occupational safety and health services, including advice on statutory guidance, safety action notices, safe working and training, incident reporting and investigation, including RIDDOR. The H&S Team continues to work cooperatively with Trade Union colleagues to review incidents statistics and other health and safety activities.

Ongoing and comprehensive health and safety assistance is provided to services throughout the council and EDLC, conducting multiple site visits to offer expert guidance, address emerging issues, and assist with the completion of risk assessments. During this period, the team have been working closely inclusion support officers, Outdoor Education Services, Strategic Commissioning team - Legal & Regulatory Services, Education & School Improvement Team for minor projects, Property Maintenance and HSCP Pineview.

Various teams received assistance through workplace, manual handling and individual risk assessments in collaboration with HR colleagues, as well as reviewing First Aids needs assessments with HR People Development. The team also participated in 3rd Tier H&S meetings for Property Maintenance, Roads & Streetlighting, Streetscene, Fleet & Waste and ED HSCP Health and Safety Subgroup Meeting.

Occupational health has been paused recently due to staffing and will be restarting before the end of the financial year with clinics in place for teams who are still to be captured. Display Screen Equipment assessments are continually reviewed alongside line managers and where required workplace assessments are also conducted.

This month a focus on training for the H&S Team took place with a post-collision workshop delivered by Gallacher & Bassett with Fleet colleagues joining in, the Symposium for Lithium Battery Response delivered by West of Scotland RRP – Human Health Sub-group and the team attended a Health and Safety Matters Live Conference which included The Health and Safety Executive’s and other legal and industry updates.

Risk assessment and incident reporting training was delivered by the Corporate H&S Manager for all Head Teachers in Primary and Early Years Head of Centres, H&S induction was conducted for Property Maintenance operatives as well as other training sessions such as Duty Holder and UFAS. Safety alerts were issued this month and Toolbox talks were created to support safe operations as a safety targeted approach.

The focus continues for Construction Design and Management compliance with site visits, reviewing construction phase plans, risk assessments and method statements for refurbishment, roofing, general Estate repairs and new build and greenspace projects for various teams.  For D&I teams, Bearsden PS, various Housing roof works projects, Campsie Memorial Hall, Streetscene for King George V Park amongst other projects and support for a project in Roads team.

To support Estates team in their CDM works, reviews were undertaken for repair works in educational establishments and other corporate buildings.

Fire Risk Assessments are conducted in accordance with the predetermined schedule.  Officers undertake routine inspections and continue to carry out site visits to address any fire safety concerns and offer expert advice. Assistance for writing several Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans were requested this month.

The team continue to promote reporting of health and safety incidents throughout the council and programme health and safety inspections of council workplaces. H&S inspections playground assessments were reviewed in this period.

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

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Between 1 November 2024 and 30 November 2024, East Dunbartonshire Council completed 15 scheduled safety inspections. Three of these inspections are related to Footway inspection and unfortunately, one of these footway inspections were completed later than their schedule and more than EDC tolerance between inspections.

Details of these inspections are as below:

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Structures

• 2024/25 General and Principal inspections programme ongoing.
• Review & response to abnormal load requests
• Programme for removal of problematic trees at structures underway
• Capital programme for 2024/25 underway, however on minor projects only. Larger scale projects to commence following award of FY24-26 structures framework contract.

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
• 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
• Christmas works embargo to run from 2 December to 5 January 2025.

Traffic

• Canniesburn Toll: MOVA traffic signal installed
• 20mph project for Bearsden/Twechar consultation ongoing
• Footway parking exemption public consultation due December
• Responding to Lining Requests and refreshing faded road markings
• Commenting on various licences i.e. street trader licences, public entertainment licences and occasional licences.

Flooding and Drainage

• River Glazert Restoration Project, Lennoxtown – Planning application submitted 
• Kelvin Tributaries River Restoration Project – Startup meeting has been undertaken and consultants are progressing with works Green Action Trust are Project Managing on behalf of EDC  
• New CCTV and Vactor framework – contractor selected
• CCTV & Vactor and Civils works being undertaken under non-contract request under 4 quote process.

Streetscene Operations

• Street cleansing and associated tasks such as leaf litter sweeping; removal of fly posting and uplifting of fly tipping, mechanical street sweeping and installing replacement or additional bins
• Graffiti removal
• Ongoing cemetery operations, digging and carrying out interments, installing headstone foundations, benches etc
• Winter cyclical works ongoing; leaf fall removal and clearance; pruning of shrub beds and tree works
• Checking and clearance of culverts
• Play park inspection
• Football pitch lining. Marking out Athletic tracks at Merkland  blaes track
• Completion of Spring bedding preparation and planting
• Bulb planting
• Responding to Customer Service Requests and complaints.
• Culvert grill cleaning and monitoring
• Christmas Tree installation
• Arranging winter servicing of machinery.

Streetscene Technical Support

• Play Areas - works complete at Springfield Park
• Play Areas - Scott Avenue (MOC)  - refurbishment works complete
• Bishopbriggs Park – brief complete and with procurement
• Play Areas – Westerton – brief complete with procurement
• Play Areas – brief complete and with procurement – Kincaid (MOC)
• Play Areas – annual external safety inspection complete – Officers progressing repairs
• Cemetery Management Rules – internal review ongoing noting recent wider Scottish Govt consultation – awaiting finalised Scottish Govt regs
• Headstones/Memorials Inspection – now stated as of November 4^th in Old Aisle Cemetery
• Cadder Cemetery – works complete to improve traffic management and parking around entrance area complete  - 2^nd phase of works being planned for 2025
• Cadder Cemetery Extension – design works now ongoing with consultant
• Ash Dieback Survey on Roadside – updated survey received – a small number of trees require urgent works – ownership is a mixture of public and private – contact with private owners now made – EDC trees being progressed. Further analysis of other trees and works ongoing with a number of notices now sent to private owners to progress
• Schools Estate – tree survey findings now being analysed – orders will be raised for any priority works over the next 3 months
• Climate Ready Park – Allotment works complete - offers of allotments being sent out to residents on waiting list , pump track almost complete (finishing works ongoing), remaining bund works and reinstatement programmed for April 2024
• Community Growing Facilities – progressing improvement works via Shared Prosperity Fund - working with communities in Jedworth Court, Sense Scotland, Twechar TCA and Kilmardinny Community Garden to increase opportunities for food growing – all ongoing
• Allotment Regulations – consultation complete – Committee Report being prepared for January 25
• Nature Restoration Fund – number of projects ongoing via this Scottish Govt fund – funding now withdrawn for 24/25 –  remaining programme from 23/24 to be completed – Technical Note issued
• Community Consultations re Management Plans – Lenzie Moss, Whitefield Pond, Cairnhill Woods and Heather Avenue – drafts largely complete – further consultation to take place to finalise
• Mains Park New Path – path works complete around additional link path – initial landscape works also complete – further tree planting to take place in consultation with community
• Clyde Valley Green Network – liaison re EDC Wetland Strategy.
• Wildflower Meadow Cut and Lift Programme – works complete
• Run Walk Cycle East Dunbartonshire Fairy Trail Milton of Campsie, Redmoss Estate  - fairly trail being progressed
• Merkland – Scottish Water undertaking infrastructure works to site – now complete  - reinstatement ongoing
• Glazert Project – team input into overall project re trees and biodiversity aspects
• The team continues to respond to high volume of open space, tree and bereavement enquires, along with planning application consultations and complaints.
• Team working with City Deal Team and Consultants in relation to Masterplan of Bishopbriggs Relief Road
• 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 

Nov Events – Sessions included:

• Stargazing at Mugdock
• Wonderful Woodland Garlands
• Books, Bones & Beasties
• Whittling for 8-12 year olds
• Christmas at Mugdock for all the Family – An evening of late night shopping, Christmas crafts, wishes with the Christmas fairy and marshmallow toasting.
• School and Community Events
  • There were 16 Forest School sessions between Lennoxtown Primary, Mosshead Primary, Westerton Primary and Woodland View.
• Operational tasks – completed by Warden Team
  • Deep clean of the Courtyard.
  • Installation and switch on of the festive lighting and decorations including set up of Christmas tree and set up for Christmas event.
  • Leaf fall management and drain clearing.
  • Start of winter weather tasks, including gritting and ploughing.
  • Delivery of bookings for Campsie and Osprey.
  • Preparation of theatre for annual Panto.
  • Winter weather work, servicing of gritter, then gritting and ploughing
• Wider Park tasks completed by Ranger and Warden Teams
  • Wardens undertook 2 days of tree removal work required by the Tree Inspection report.
  • Dog bins and checks of fencing and paths by wardens.
  • Cleaning of the Gun sites by Rangers.
  • Creating dead hedging and cleaning of the red bridge by Rangers and Conservation Volunteers.
  • Stump removal from car parks BY Streetscene Team.
  • Management of the green roof with the conversation volunteers.
  • Rhododendron removal at Pheasants wood with Kelvin College work experience students.
• Health & Safety –
  • Relevant team members undertook trailer training.
  • Tool inspection
  • Play park and car park checks, pot holes filled in South Lodge
• Visitor Centre –
  • Monthly stock take.
  • Arrival of Christmas/Winter stock.
  • Income of £2,388.07 in shop sales.
• Events programme for July to December 24 is being advertised through our socials, website and circulated to all schools.  September Events are almost fully booked. Jan to March What’s On is currently with EDC designer for production.
• Scottish Water project – Legal agreement was signed and team are now delivering at the Reservoir.
• Projects
  • BBQ shelter – Drainage tenders have been received and successful tender selected. Jim Graham is supporting this project.
  • Walled garden has progressed with the area in the parterres being cleared, mosaic tiles fixed and weed supressing membrane installed.

Waste Services

• The Clyde Valley Residual Waste contract say 1795 tonnes of household general waste throughput in November for recycling pre-sort, and then ongoing production of energy from waste.
• The team attended the Clyde Valley Residual Waste Technical liaison meeting, an opportunity for the 5 participating authorities to meet with the contractor and discuss current and future issues that may impact the contract
• The garden waste 2024 collection service came to an on 23 November with final permit numbers exceeding 29,000 in total.
• The implementation of our new Waste Modernisation software continues to progress. All frontline staff are trained and accessing the in-cab devices to support day to day workloads. Focus is now on back-office route generation ahead of the 3 weekly residual collection service
• The Project Team for the delivery of the 3 weekly residual collection continue to meet fortnightly to discuss and work towards a successful delivery of this project in 2025
• The operational team continue to work through and complete the CPC training, the driving competency certification, in which drivers required to go through 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. The service is releasing a driver each day to ensure deadlines are met and service sustained
• The Waste Manager and Compliance Officer were in attendance at the new Resourcing Scotland conference in November, an event that was attended by members of the Waste Industry across Scotland. Topics included Emissions Trading Scheme, new waste tracking requirements and contamination across the organic waste streams
• The Waste team have supported various local events with waste and recycling provisions including the Lenzie fireworks display, Provost Charity appeal and both the Milngavie & Kirkintilloch BID festive events
• There were 9781 bookings for the Mavis Valley Recycling Centre in November, with 92% attendance
• There were 222 requests for special uplifts, of which 26% required a separate Upholstery collection due to Persistent Organic Pollutants and 46% for the separation of scrap and electrical goods
• Continued to work in partnership with Community Safety to tackle fly tipped waste at recycling bring sites with 8 warning letters issued out following identification of material ownership.
• Collected 420 tonnes of mixed recycling from the kerbside brown bin, an increase of 37 tonnes from the previous month, and the highest monthly tonnage this financial year
• Collected 230 tonnes of food waste collection in November, a 1 tonne increase from previous month.

Fleet Services

• During the period 1 November 2024 to 30 November 2024 there were a variety of 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 work on the CPC training programme, to ensure all drivers that require CPC training achieve this before the deadline to remain compliant
• 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
• 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
• Monthly audits have been implemented to ensure MOT station compliance
• We continue to monitor external hires.
• We took receipt of 11 vehicles and 3 items of plant.