Agenda Document Pack - Communities Committee - 30/10/2023
North Lanarkshire Council · 30 October 2023
Back to Communities Committee — 30 October 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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19 October 2023 Members of the Communities Committee Chief Executive’s Office Archie Aitken Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Meeting of the Communities Committee is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Monday, 30 October 2023 at 10:00 AM which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Archie Aitken Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Members : Clerk Name: Andrew Rose Clerk Telephone: 07951 409714 Clerk Email: rosean@northlan.gov.uk K Stevenson, P Patton, D Ashraf, C Barclay, A Beveridge, B Burgess, A Campbell, D Crichton, F Fotheringham, M Hughes, J Jones, A Khan, M McBride, B McCluskey, B McCulloch, J McLaren, F McNally, L Mitchell, L Nolan, D Robb, N Shevlin, A Smith, J Toner, C Williams, G Woods. Page 1 of 118
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Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 2 Community Council Quadrennial Elections 2023 - Outcome Submit report by the Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) (1) advising of the outcome of the recent Quadrennial Elections for Community Councils in North Lanarkshire following the close of the nomination process on Monday, 4 September 2023, and (2) seeking approval for the funding allocation for each active Community Council for financial year 2023/24 and 2024/25 (copy herewith) 5 - 10 3 Community Boards and Partnership Communications Strategy Submit report by the Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) providing an update on key progress linked to supporting the development of the Community Boards model, including updates on the 12th cycle of Community Boards meetings which took place throughout August and September 2023 (copy herewith) 11 - 20 4 Community Board Local Development Programme Submit report by the Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) providing an update on progress with the Community Board Local Development Programme projects previously approved by committee and, seeking in principle approval for new potential projects as proposed by local community groups (copy herewith) 21 - 50 5 Community Safety Resilience Planning 2022/23 Submit report by the Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) advising of progress made on current community resilience planning and how it contributes to the Community Safety across the nine Community Boards (copy herewith) 51 - 78 6 Access to Free Period Products (Period Dignity Initiative) update Submit report by the Chief Officer (Communication and Engagement) providing an update on the activity relating to the delivery and further development of the Access to Free Period Product / Period Dignity initiative (copy herewith) 79 - 118 Page 3 of 118
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Communities Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref CJ/AA Date 30/10/23 Community Council Quadrennial Elections 2023 - Outcome From Archie Aitken, Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) E-mail johnstonec@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 302058 Executive Summary This report advises of the outcome of the recent Quadrennial Elections for Community Councils in North Lanarkshire following the close of the nomination process on 4 September 2023. In addition, the report seeks to approve the funding allocation for each active Community Council for financial year 2023/24 and 2024/25. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities Committee:- (1) Acknowledge the current status of Community Councils in North Lanarkshire following the Quadrennial Elections; (2) Approve the funding allocation, as set out within the report, for financial year 2023/24 and 2024/25. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Enhance participation, capacity, and empowerment across our communities Ambition statement (19) Improve engagement with communities and develop their capacity to help themselves Programme of Work Statutory / corporate / service requirement Item 2 Page 5 of 118
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1. Background 1.1 At the meeting of this Committee on 24 April 2023, consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the arrangements for Quadrennial Elections to establish Community Councils in North Lanarkshire, in terms of the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils, on the basis that the current Community Council members were required to stand down on 11 October 2023 at 11.59pm. 1.2 The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 places a statutory duty on the Council to establish and to provide financial and administrative support to Community Councils. 2. Report 2.1 Following an extensive public campaign, utilising the Council’s website and social media pages, a video campaign featuring one of the active Community Councils and its Members, alongside advertising in the local press, nominations were sought for sufficient numbers of Community Councillors to establish and re-establish 80 Community Councils throughout the Council’s area. 2.2 Where the requisite number of valid nomination forms in terms of the Scheme had been received for a Community Council, that Community Council would continue to operate. Where the number of validly submitted nominations exceeds the number of vacancies on a Community Council, it would be necessary to organise an election and polling, by way of a secret ballot, which would take place locally. Where an insufficient number of nominations had been received, that Community Council would cease to operate with effect from 11.59pm on 11 October 2023 and, to re-establish that Community Council, it would be necessary that a petition be lodged in terms of the Scheme for Community Councils. Re-Established Community Councils 2.3 Nominations were received for membership following the nomination process and the undernoted Community Council’s were re-established:- Banton & Kelvinhead, Bellshill, Cairnhill, Caldercruix, Carbrain & Hillcrest, Castlecary, Central Wishaw, Chryston, Cleland, Coltness, Condorrat, Craigmarloch, Dullatur, Glenmavis, Greengairs, Harthill & Eastfield, Kildrum, Kilsyth, Monkland Glen, Newarthill, Newmains & District, North Calder, Overtown & Waterloo, Plains, Salsburgh, Stepps & District, The Village, Thorniewood and Westerwood. 2.4 There were 29 Community Councils re-established, on 12 October 2023, with their inaugural meetings to take place within 42 days of establishment. Elections/Disbandment 2.5 In Auchinloch Community Council the number of nominations for Community Councillors exceeded the number of vacancies. Accordingly, arrangements are being undertaken to conduct an election on Thursday, 12 October 2023. 2.6 Four Community Councils failed to attract sufficient nominations for Community Councillors, which has resulted in their disbandment as undernoted: Kirkwood, Ladywell, Muirhouse & Flemington and Queenzieburn. Page 6 of 118
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Funding for Financial Year 2023/24 and 2024/25 2.7 As approved at a meeting of the former Finance and Resources Committee held on 12 March 2019, it was agreed that the sum of £350 per Community Council plus £9 per 100 of the electorate, rounded down to the nearest 100, provided annually as funding to each of the operational Community Councils. 2.8 Upon receipt and verification of each Community Council’s audited accounts by the Chief Officer (Finance), and confirmation that the Community Council had submitted the minutes of its meetings on a regular basis to the Council, the annual payment is made. 2.9 A figure has been set aside in the estimates for the financial year in the sum of £25,000 to accommodate this grant funding. 3. Measures of success 3.1 To successfully re-establish 30 Community Councils following the Quadrennial Elections in terms of the North Lanarkshire Scheme for Community Councils and to support and assist them by way of funding. 4. Supporting documentation Not applicable. Archie Aitken Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) Page 7 of 118
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Financial impact on the Quadrennial Election process and the funding to support grant awards is at present contained within the current budget. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? To meet the statutory requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Page 8 of 118
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Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 9 of 118
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Communities Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref SP/MC Date 30/10/23 Community Boards and Partnership Communications Strategy From Stephen Penman, Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) E-mail penmanste@northland.gov.uk costellom@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07725289559 Executive Summary This report provides an update on key progress linked to supporting the development of the Community Boards model including updates on the 12th cycle of Community Boards meetings which took place throughout August and September 2023. • progress with the delivery of the nine Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIPs) and the implementation of an associated Monitoring and Management Framework and Partnership delivery approach • Progress with the Community Board Development Programme • Work to commence development of a Partnership Communications Strategy As previously agreed by committee, reports on the work of the nine Community Boards are provided to the committee relating to each committee cycle. Progress is also reported to the North Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership Strategic Leadership Board to reflect the statutory nature of the Boards in Community Planning terms in providing local governance for the Local Outcome Improvement Plans. This report covers cycle 12 Community Board meetings. The process and focus of reporting on the work of the Community Boards will continue to be reviewed and elements included within the Local Outcome Improvement Plan monitoring and management framework. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities Committee: (1) Recognises work to continue to develop and improve the integrated approach to supporting the local Community Board model. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Enhance participation, capacity, and empowerment across our communities Ambition statement (20) Improve the involvement of communities in the decisions, and development of services and supports, that affect them Programme of Work All Programmes of Work Item 3 Page 11 of 118
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1. Background 1.1 Community Matters - A Framework for Working with Communities set out the Community Planning Partnership’s commitment to engaging with communities underpinned by a set of principles and approaches designed to deliver on key priorities associated with working with communities which included the creation of Community Boards. The framework was approved by the Policy & Strategy Committee at its meeting on 19 March 2020. 1.2 The Community Boards are integral to supporting community participation and providing a single coordinated approach to governance for local communities, reflecting statutory and regulatory requirements. The Boards continue to develop in a manner consistent with influencing and delivering the Plan for North Lanarkshire outcomes at local level. This is being driven through the Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIPs) for each of the nine areas, ensuring a partnership focus on supporting service design, delivery and community action reflecting both the ambitions within The Plan for North Lanarkshire and the priorities and circumstances of individual areas. The LOIPs are published on the North Lanarkshire Council website and were circulated to all Community Boards. 1.3 The monitoring and management framework for the delivery of the LOIPs is in place and operational along with supporting partnership delivery approach through the establishment of Local Partnership Teams. This is being used to inform reporting to Committee, the North Lanarkshire Partnership (NLP) Strategic Leadership Board and individual Community Boards. 1.4 The twelfth cycle of Board meetings has now taken place; an example of an agenda is included in Appendix 1. Table 1 – Cycle 12 Community Board Meetings 2. Report Community Boards – Cycle 12 Representation at Community Board Meetings 2.1 At the twelfth cycle of Community Board meetings, attendance reflected a good mix of partners, elected members, community groups and local people at all Board Area Meeting Date & Time Location Shotts 22/08/2023 at 6.30pm Salsburgh Community Centre Northern Corridor 23/08/2023 at 6.30pm Life Centre, Glenboig Coatbridge 24/08/2023 at 6.30pm Riverbank School, Coatbridge Cumbernauld 29/08/2023 at 6.30pm Abronhill Community Centre Kilsyth & Villages 30/08/2023 at 6.30pm St Patricks Primary School, Kilsyth Wishaw 31/08/2023 at 6.30pm Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub Airdrie 06/09/2023 at 6.30pm Cairnlea Parish Church Bellshill 07/09/2023 at 6.30pm Online meeting Motherwell 19/09/2023 at 6.30pm Motherwell Fire Station Page 12 of 118
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meetings. Approximately 193 people attended the twelfth cycle of meetings with 48 community organisations and 68 Community representatives in total represented. 2.2 A broader range of community representation is generally in evidence at Community Board meetings. Three new organisations attended three of the Community Boards in Cycle 12. 2.3 Efforts continue to further extend the reach of community involvement in the work of the Community Boards. As stated within previous reports to committee, not all community organisations’ identity is place-based. There is therefore a need to ensure that people who come together because they share characteristics and identity also have a platform where they are heard and can influence both decision- making and the realisation of the Plan for North Lanarkshire. 2.4 The categories of participants in Cycle 12 Community Boards are as set out in Table 2 below: Table 2 - Participants (Cycle 12) Participants at Community Boards (Cycle 12) Community Councils Tenants and Residents Associations Historical/Cultural Groups Community Forums MSYP/Youth Fora Police Scotland Scottish Fire & Rescue NHS Lanarkshire Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire NL Disability Access Panel Elected Members Council Officers Faith Groups Parent Councils Local people/residents Voice of Experience Forum Community Organisations African Collaborative Participation in meetings 2.5 There was a small increase in participation at this cycle of meetings overall in comparison to the previous cycle of meetings at end of May/beginning of June 2023 however there was a slight decrease in the number of Community Groups represented. As reported previously, whilst some Boards experienced a reduction in attendance as the Boards returned to face-to-face meetings others experienced an increase in attendance. Agenda items 2.6 During Cycle 12, eight out of nine Community Boards had agenda items put forward by community groups and organisations in advance of Board meetings. Examples of Agenda items put forward included: Development plan and entertainment licences in Northern Corridor; Riverbank school issues regarding travel in Coatbridge; Illegal use Page 13 of 118
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of quad bikes in Airdrie; Drug and substance abuse issues in Wishaw, Flood Management issues in Kilsyth; Bellziehill Junction in Bellshill; Pet food bank and Cottage Trust in Cumbernauld and Town Action Plan and Henderson Theatre in Shotts. In addition, local community organisations provided updates on the work they are carrying out locally. These included Moira Anderson Foundation, Social Track, Cairnlea Church, and Recovery Café. 2.7 Council officers were also asked to attend or provide updates to Board meetings in response to agenda items and issues raised by community representatives. Council and Community Planning Partnership Partners will continue to be invited to attend in relation to specific agenda items raised. External organisations are also invited to attend Board meetings in response to agenda items raised by communities as required. Opportunities to provide updates and share views. 2.8 As previously reported, all nine Community Boards endorsed Local Outcome Improvement Plans (LOIPs) which have been published and can be accessed via this link. Community Board agendas are now organised around LOIP priorities and updates from communities and partner agencies are linked to priorities where possible to ensure clear focus on progress towards achieving actions to address the key priorities that were identified by local communities. Local people can also raise ad hoc issues or share local information through the Community Matters section of the agenda. Positive progress continues to be made with subgroups meeting to progress agreed actions to address local priorities where this is the most appropriate mechanism. Work is ongoing and meetings are taking place and scheduled with local community groups and organisations to further develop subgroups. Special Board Meetings 2.9 Northern Corridor Community Board had previously requested a special meeting to discuss Planning and Education issues identified within the Northern Corridor. An online briefing and consultation event has taken place in relation to this. At this cycle of meetings, Airdrie Community Board requested a working group be established regarding illegal use of quadbikes within the Caldercruix area. Community Board Local Development Programme (LDP) Projects 2.10 As previously reported, community organisations requested a positional statement regarding outstanding Local Development Programme projects. The LDP report, continues to be split by Community Board area, and detailing the status of projects, was circulated in advance of Cycle 12 Board Meetings. The project proposal form identified in previous reports to committee, continues to be utilised to record LDP project ideas and suggestions put forward from local communities. LDP continues to be a set item on the agenda at all Community Board meetings and is subject to a separate report to this committee. Involving Communities 2.11 Cycle 12 meetings saw continued involvement of seldom heard voices in Community Board meetings. The Community Partnership team will continue as a priority to proactively work with local community groups and people with lived experience to support this objective. Page 14 of 118
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2.12 As reported previously there has been a decrease in the level of youth representation noted at Community Board meetings. As reported previously, part of the Youth Participation structure that was noted and approved at the Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday 13th September 2022, CLD Youth Workers and Community Partnership Team will engage with young people through the 9 local youth voice groups to ensure that young people are active participants in the Community Boards. This will be subject to further discussion with CLD and Community Partnership Team in relation to progressing this. Young people have become more involved within LOIP subgroups such as Youth Participation and Engagement. Youth engagement subgroups continue to plan and carry out consultation with young people locally to ascertain their needs in relation to LOIP priorities. Two MSYP attended the Cumbernauld Board to provide feedback from the Youth Engagement and Consultation subgroup and one young person from Cardowan Community Meadow attended the recent Northern Corridor Community Board meeting. Our Lives – An exploration of the lived experiences of North Lanarkshire’s 2.13 Black, Asian, and other Minority Ethnic People The Our Lives Research exploring the lived Experiences of North Lanarkshire’s Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic people and responses from our community planning, and other partners, has been published on the Council website. The Lead Officers Group is now working with representatives from each of the minority ethnic communities to arrange feedback and begin to engage on the specific issues the research highlighted for each of the communities. Arrangements are being made for a presentation on the research recommendations and progress to Community Board representatives in November. All Community Boards were asked to participate in an annual Equalities Monitoring exercise that will enable Community Boards to determine how diverse they are and how representative of the needs of different communities within the Board area particularly those of identity. Having this information will enable each Board to understand whether groups are over or underrepresented and enable them to target engagement or take action to fill diversity gaps within Board membership. Further information will be circulated in relation to this. Moving Forward 2.14 Community Board Chairs Significant progress has been made from the second cycle of meetings where one Community Board meeting (Airdrie) was chaired by a community representative to a position where eight of the nine Community Boards were chaired by community representatives. In cycle 12, 7 out of the 9 meetings were chaired by Community representatives. Airdrie Community Board was chaired by an elected member in this cycle but moving forward a volunteer from XACT has agreed to take on this role. Shotts Community Board was chaired by the Community Coordinator as currently Page 15 of 118
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there has been no expression of interest from Community representatives to take on the role. Community Board Development Programme 2.15 As previously reported, the Council’s Talent, and Organisational Development (TOD) team in conjunction with the Community Partnership Team have created an online Hub offering all Community Board Members access to a wide variety of learning resources with a focus on the key requirements identified in the Training Needs Analysis previously undertaken with Board members. The resources will be available on the Hub 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are accessible from any device. The resource has been developed to offer a blended learning experience, reaching out to a range of learning styles. Progress is being made in the further roll out of the portal which was highlighted and welcomed previously at NL Strategic Leadership Board. Currently 134 Community Board Members have been issued with login details with 70 members, just over 50% having logged into the portal and accessed different areas of the hub with the most recent login being made on 13th August 2023. There was increased activity during June 2023 with members logging in which may have been linked to LearnNL mandatory e-learning email reminders being sent to all users. The TOD Team have explored ways to prevent Board members from automatically being registered with NLC mandatory e-learning but have been unable to find a solution to the issue. Additional information is currently being added to the Equality & Diversity area of the Community Board portal and once complete Community Boards will be made aware of this additional content. The Role of Chief Officers as Community Coordinators 2.16 As previously reported, Community Coordinators are in place and attending their designated Community Board Meetings. Community Coordinator updates continue to be a standing item on all Community Board agendas as well as participation in discussion relating to a range of local matters. Community Coordinators meet with key senior partners between Board cycles to discuss common matters, any leadership action required, and to collectively consider input to future meetings. Future Board Meetings 2.17 The next cycle of Community Board meetings will be held in November/December 2023. All Board meetings up to Cycle 10 took place online, however, following consultation, with community group representatives and elected members who attend Community Boards, all meetings in cycle 11 and all Board meetings except for Bellshill were held in person. Feedback to the consultation from Community Boards identified that most Boards preferred a mix of online and face-to-face meetings moving forward. Some Boards have decided that they would prefer to meet online over the winter months. 2.18 As reported to Committee previously, a hybrid approach was tested at Motherwell Community Board Meeting to be considered for use at future Community Boards. Although workable, unfortunately the system tested has proved not to be cost effective and would not be able to be used in every Community Board area until IT infrastructure is available in suitable locations. Page 16 of 118
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Further work will be undertaken to consider the best way to approach these requirements on a corporate basis and the Community Boards will be kept updated when further information is available. It is hoped that a corporate solution will be reached in the fullness of time with further input from Community Board members. The Cycle 13 meeting dates are set out in Table 3 below. Table 3 – Community Board Meeting Dates (Cycle 13) Community Board Day Date Shotts Tuesday 21/11/2023 Northern Corridor Wednesday 22/11/2023 Coatbridge Thursday 23/11/2023 Cumbernauld Tuesday 28/11/2023 Kilsyth & Villages Wednesday 29/11/2023 Wishaw Thursday 30/11/2023 Airdrie Wednesday 6/12/2023 Bellshill Thursday 7/12/2023 Motherwell Tuesday 12/12/2023 Local Outcome Improvement Plans – Partnership Delivery, Monitoring, and Management Framework 2.19 As previously reported, the online LOIP monitoring, and evaluation framework is in place. This is a management tool that is being used by community planning partners to ensure that progress towards addressing key priorities that were agreed with local communities is monitored, recorded, and reported. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Delivery of LOIP outcomes and increased levels of engagement with local communities and partners, resulting in generally positive impacts on communities across a variety of priorities and key issues identified through effective locality planning and the implementation of the Community Boards, particularly in areas where further consultation has been required. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – Example of Cycle 12 Community Board Agenda. Stephen Penman Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) Page 17 of 118
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Page 18 of 118
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Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 19 of 118
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Appendix 1 Community Board Agenda (Cycle 12) AGENDA (example) 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Apologies 3. Minute of previous meeting and matters arising 4. Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) - Local Priorities 5. Community Matters i. Local issues put forward by local communities. 6. Local Development /Investment i.Local engagement/consultation ii.Funding opportunities 7. Standing Agenda items i.Community Coordinators Up-date ii.Local Development Programme (LDP) up-date 8. AOCB CommUnity Agreement Up-date Equalities Annual Exercise Challenge Poverty Week 9. Date and time of next meeting Page 20 of 118
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Communities Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref SP/MC Date 30/10/23 Community Board Local Development Programme From Stephen Penman, Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) E-mail Penmanste@northlan.gov.uk Costellom@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07725289559 Executive Summary This report provides an update on progress with the Community Board Local Development Programme (LDP) projects previously approved by committee. In addition, the report seeks in principle approval for new potential projects as proposed by local community groups. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities Committee: (1) Recognises progress with the remaining 2022/23 programme and 2023/24 onwards and approve projects which have potential for delivery in future financial years depending on availability of budget and community support (Appendix 1); (2) Recognise the capital budget allocated to the LDP for each Community Board area in the current capital programme (Appendix 2); (3) Approves amendments to existing projects and further project proposals and project criteria; (4) Acknowledge current challenges faced in achieving delivery of the Local Development Programme; The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement (20) Improve the involvement of communities in the decisions, and development of services and supports, that affect them Programme of Work All Programmes of Work Item 4 Page 21 of 118
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1. Background 1.1 The Policy and Strategy committee agreed, in March 2019, that all projects from 2019/20 onwards, recommended by Community Matters partnerships (now replaced by Community Boards) should be subject to agreement by the former Youth, Equalities and Empowerment Committee before proceeding beyond the in-principle/ conceptual stage. Further approvals will now be sought through the Communities Committee as required. 1.2 Budget details have been finalised as part of the council’s Strategic Capital Investment Programme for the five-year period from 2021/22 to 2025/26, with an agreed allocation of £1.5m for each of these financial years. An additional £500k was approved as part of the council’s revenue budget for 2021/22. These sums are reflected in the breakdown of funding included in Appendix 2. 1.3 The amount allocated to each area reflects a reduction of up to 10% which will be earmarked for delivery and other associated costs in relation to agreed projects, this will include technical support, tendering processes, design and project management and administration. 2. Report Criteria for Local Development Plan 2.1 To be eligible for inclusion in the Community Board Local Development Programme, projects must meet the priorities of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan and substantially subscribe to previously agreed criteria. The following are examples of some of the key criteria: • link to LOIP priorities • be publicly visible and accessible; • come from community groups or individual; • improve community safety; • benefit a large number of people; • improve the appearance of an area • maximise the use of alternative sources of funding. • be a capital projects on council owned land All Local Development Programme proposal forms should indicate which, if any, of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan priorities the project supports. Where the project does not align with identified priorities, evidence must be provided to show how the project will support improved local outcomes. 2.2 Project progress • Information on current and potential future projects is contained within Appendix 1. • Please note the figures in Appendix 1 are notional/indicative potential project costs and that no budget has been allocated to specific projects. • The Community Board Local Development Programme highlights the council’s commitment to community led neighbourhood regeneration. • Prioritisation work has been undertaken taking account of the allocated budgets and criteria to schedule project delivery of the current holding over the five-year Page 22 of 118
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budget cycle. These priorities may change as projects develop and clearer costs become available. • Where feasibility checks have identified that the project is not viable, the recommendation within Appendix 1 is to delete such projects from the list moving forward. 2.3 Projects seeking approval Table 1 below, provides a summary of the LDP projects seeking Committee approval in this cycle. Table 1. Projects seeking approval from this cycle of Community Boards Community Board Area Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Airdrie Crowwood Road, Calderbank Parking £15,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 Airdrie Glen Road, Petersburn Parking £10,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 Airdrie West End/Centenary Park New interpretation boards £15,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 Bellshill Redwood Crescent – community garden Project to create a community garden £30,000 LDP proposal form submitted. Project approved at board meeting on 8th June. Feasibility checks required. Bellshill Laburnum Rd – footbridge and environment To repair side panels of an existing footbridge. Addressing litter and fly tipping issues and £30,000 Scope of works to be determined and discussed with other services. Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Bellshill Sycamore Ave – community garden To create a community garden/ dog walking area £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Bellshill Windsor Park – Holytown community garden Project to create a community garden £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Page 23 of 118
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Community Board Area Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Bellshill Holytown Main Street community garden Project to create a community garden £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Coatbridge Kelso Quadrant Community space Create a useable community space on currently unused waste ground to rear of properties £10,000 Project Proposal submitted, initial community consultation completed, shows positive support for project. Coatbridge Shining Stars Outdoor Learning Space Project Utilise space at rear of building to create secure learning and performance space for ASN theatre school £10,000 Initial feasibility completed, project proposal form submitted. Cumbernauld Netherwood Road (Westfield) Parking £15,000 Addition parking spaces Cumbernauld Cumbernauld Peace Garden Memory Walk £10,000 To be delivered by Roads and Maintenance – Street Scene Cumbernauld Eastfield Play Area Playpark £100,000 Balloch site identified, proposal submitted by local community Kilsyth Argyll Place Parking Additional parking spaces required. £15,000 Proposal form submitted. Feasibility checks complete. Seeking approval in principle. Page 24 of 118
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Current Delivery Challenges 2.4 As previously reported, delivery of the Local Development Programme has faced a number of challenges during the current financial year due to a range of external factors. Updates on the current challenges are as follows: • Cost Inflation. As previously reported, material costs have experienced substantial cost increases over recent months. This has led to the appointed contractor for the Bitumen Macadam (Bitmac) Repairs 2022-2026 contract (Housing Property & Projects) withdrawing from the contract due to financial viability. The Local Development Programme accessed this contract to deliver car parking projects and therefore, the delivery of all such projects had been placed on hold. Discussions have taken place with the Roads service who use this contract and an agreement has been put in place. The parking projects are in the process of going to tender on the procurement framework and work will commence on these projects in the near future. • Labour Shortages. Ongoing market engagement continues to allow us to develop accurate project timelines. Due to the demand on a relatively small number of suppliers and specialist installers the Play Area projects will now have an estimated site start date of six months from date of contract award. We will continue to monitor the market position and adjust timelines as required. • Market Capacity and Demand. The additional budget that will be provided to all Local Authorities from the Scottish Government to improve play areas over the next three years is expected to create additional pressure on a limited number of suppliers and specialist installers. As previously reported project budgets have been reprofiled and sites grouped together in lots to be more attractive to the market. This approach has proved successful in attracting tender bids for all the play areas which have recently been tendered. We are currently undertaking a procurement exercise for 15 play area/ MUGA projects, structured in tender lots in this way to ensure continued delivery of best value whilst meeting community aspirations. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Projects delivered within agreed timescales taking into account all relevant factors and budgetary considerations. 3.2 Local communities are involved from the earliest stage in the development of project designs and delivery and are generally satisfied with the outcome. 3.3 People in communities whose voices are seldom heard are engaged in putting forward/influencing projects within their community. 3.4 The governance role of the Community Boards is consolidated in terms of project development, approvals and monitoring processes. Page 25 of 118
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4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – Community Board Local Development Programme 2022/23 onwards 4.2 Appendix 2 – Budget Information 4.3 Appendix 3 – Play Area Development List 2023/24 Stephen Penman Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) Page 26 of 118
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Each of the projects in the attached Appendices, if deemed appropriate for delivery and where budget is available is supported through funding available via the Community Board Local Development Programme capital allocation. Consideration will also be given to maximising external and other partner contributions where possible. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 27 of 118
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5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Several of the projects will have a positive effect on the local environment, contributing to safer areas to play and addressing issues traffic congestion in specific areas. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The LDP is discussed widely with community groups and local consultation will be communicated as required. In conjunction with local communities, a communications approach will ensure that projects are promoted positively. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? There are no significant financial risks which have been identified at this stage in the financial year, however this will continue to be closely monitored. Some projects may not proceed as a result of e.g., community consultation or site investigations and outstanding budgets will be re-allocated to other projects which will be reported to a future Community Board. It should be acknowledged that there are nationwide challenges in relation to supply of materials and there is also an impact on material costs leading to potentially higher contract costs which could impact on delivery of projects. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Page 28 of 118
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Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Information is provided regarding upgraded and new play areas across North Lanarkshire. If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 29 of 118
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Appendix 1 Airdrie Projects Under development 2022 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Chapelhall/Bellside Road parking Road parking £40,000.00 Awaiting outcome of legal issues (Approved previously by Board) Four Isles Community Centre Fencing £10,000 Raised at community board. Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Crowwood Road, Calderbank Parking £15,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 Glen Road, Petersburn Parking £10,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 West End/Centenary Park New interpretation boards £15,000 Approved at CB on 6th Sept 23 Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2022 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Airdrie BMX/Pump Track Funding to support regenerating the existing facilities, or build a new pumptrack. £10,000 £140,000 Approved at CB 8th March 2023. Further project development work required To progress to build 2024/25 Holehills Development Play Area Kenilburn Ave/Holehill Place £10,000 Housing developers off site contribution Approved at CB 7th June 2023 Hill Street Parking, Caldercruix Create additional parking bays £10,000 To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Brownsburn Park Upgrade to paths £17,000 Approved at CB 8th March 2023 Whinhall Allotments Environmental works including the installation of new path, raised beds and associated ground works £15,000 N/A Approved at CB 8th March 2023 Jarvie Avenue, Plains Parking £15,000 Approved at CB 8th March 2023 Page 30 of 118
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Plains Community Futures Upgrade play facilities including new equipment, surfacing, paths and seating £50,000 N/A Works completed Plains Community Futures Outdoor Gym £24,200 £13,000 grants from Consortium & Lottery Approved at CB Dec 22 Deliver Year 3 Gartleahill Play Area Wheeled sports area & refurb existing play area £20,000 £80K will be allocated from Scottish Government Play Park Renewal Programme Year 3 priority. Wheeled sports yr4 Craigneuk play area Calderigg Place Creation of new play area £100,000 A suitable site has been identified to build a new play area. Part of current year procurement. Community Safety - CCTV Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with community safety partners £25,000 Year 3 priority Chapelhall – Queens crescent Improved parking £15,000 To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Arndale Plains Improved Parking £15,000 To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Caldercruix Heritage Project £30,000 Works ongoing to be completed in Autumn 2023 Rawyards Roundabout Environmental Improvements £10,000 Veg clearance works complete all other works completed. Victor Street / Stemac Lane Plains Parking Improvements £15,000 To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support partnership initiatives £10,000 Bellshill Projects Under development 2022 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes McCracken Drive car parking Additional parking space £17500 Further information is required for identifying location and scope of work. Lilac Crescent Community garden or car parking Community garden or car parking £30,000 Community consultation completed on 7th September 2023. Consultation results will inform the nature of the project. Page 31 of 118
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Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Redwood Crescent – community garden Project to create a community garden £30,000 LDP proposal form submitted. Project approved at board meeting on 8th June. Feasibility checks required. Laburnum Rd – footbridge and environment To repair side panels of an existing footbridge. Addressing litter and fly tipping issues and £30,000 Scope of works to be determined and discussed with other services. Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Sycamore Ave – community garden To create a community garden/ dog walking area £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Windsor Park – Holytown community garden Project to create a community garden £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Holytown Main Street community garden Project to create a community garden £25,000 Project proposal submitted for discussion Project approved at board meeting on 7th Sept. Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Viewpark Gardens Funding to support development of potential works at site £20,000 Moved to year 4 for delivery in conjunction with local group Community Safety – CCTV Provision Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with community safety partners £25,000 Year 3 Priority Rosevale Crescent MUGA Potential MUGA facility £30,000 £100,000 (Contribution to be checked) Part of current year procurement. Clydesdale Rd/Mossend Primary School – car parking Extra car parking spaces £35,000 Further consultation required with Education and Roads to determine final proposal. Community Partnership initiatives Funding to support partnership initiatives £10,000 Year 3 delivery. Page 32 of 118
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Gemini Grove, wall entrance project Project to cut through an opening through a low-level brick wall for residents’ access to a public car park. £5,000 Project will be delivered by Summer 2023. Orbiston bing project Tarmacking existing paths in the bing £10,000 Final design to be agreed. Potential community benefits for increase the scopes of the project. Crowflat View – car parking project Extra car parking spaces £15,000 Consultation Completed. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Napier Square (north side) - car park project Extra car parking spaces £20,000 Consultation completed. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework. Bellshill Gateway - community garden Project to create a community garden £25,000 Year 2-3 Priority – LDP proposal form submitted. LDP contribution to existing Gateway project for the community garden construction Baird’s Ave - play facilities improvement Project Upgrading play equipment in an existing play area £100,000 LDP proposal form submitted. Consultation and play area specification completed Project progress to tendering Page 33 of 118
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Coatbridge Projects Under development 2022 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Shawhead Recreation Space Play 0 New Supply Project to progress under New Supply as part of Dunnotar Avenue project – like for like replacement of recreation space. Last Tram Project Heritage £10,000 £5,000 Active & Creative Communities £1100 through Community Benefits Funding proposal submitted. £20K required to complete project. Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Kelso Quadrant Community space Create a useable community space on currently unused waste ground to rear of properties £10,000 Project Proposal submitted, initial community consultation completed, shows positive support for project. Shining Stars Outdoor Learning Space Project Utilise space at rear of building to create secure learning and performance space for ASN theatre school £10,000 Initial feasibility completed, project proposal form submitted. Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Greenend Projects Base Development of temporary meeting space/project base in Greenend £45,000 Approved at 28th Nov 22 Board meeting. Consultation widened to include Sykeside as per new T&R group Heritage Way/Monklands Canal Improvements Improvements Disabled parking bays at Daisy Park side & possible Pier replacement works £0 Parking works completed by Greenspace Management. Pier replacement taken on by Scottish Canals Dunure Place Coatbridge Creation of parking bays to alleviate congestion £20,000 Approved in principle Project proposal submitted Awaiting consultation Dunure Street Coatbridge Dog walking area at Dunure Street Coatbridge £15,000 Approved in principle. Scheduling in progress Page 34 of 118
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Whifflet Park Skatepark £55,000 Works completed June 23 Viewfield Rd Coatbridge Environmental and road safety improvements £40,000 Following additional investigations no viable project was established, looking to remove. Safety Zone Bargeddie Replace gate/fence at rear of property to secure outdoor space £0 Completed June 2023 by Street Scene Greenend Wheeled Sports Area Play £30,000 Works completed June 2023 Community Safety - CCTV Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with Community Safety Partners £25,000 As required Kirkwood Local Improvements Junior play area development £60,000 Survey report complete. Design Brief complete. Kirkwood Local Improvements Dog walking area development £15,000 Survey report complete. Scheduling in progress Margaret Street Park Remove fencing & upgrade lighting £1,000 Removal of broken fence at entrance completed & upgrade from single to dual light in progress Summerlee Street Parking and Environment £6,000 Extension of footpath along grass verge. Scheduling in progress Carnbroe Welcome Signage & Heritage panels Signage on Roundabouts re welcome & safe driving & heritage panels to safely screen mine cap in community garden £10,000 Project requested by CCAR – proposal submitted, initial feasibility completed. Design process in progress with CCAR Oak Place, Greenend Parking Bays Creation of additional parking bays to alleviate congestion £20,000 Project identified by local community to increase bays adjacent to Oak Place & alleviate congestion. Feasibility ongoing/subject to services check and consultation Community Partnership Initiatives £10,000 Cumbernauld Projects Proposal under development 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Cumbernauld Heritage Project, Abronhill Heritage Project £4,900 Further specialist advice being sought. Mossywood Court, Westfield Parking £12,000 Further feasibility checks required. Potential for 4 spaces. Page 35 of 118
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Ellisland Road, Kildrum Parking £15,000 Feasibility checks required. Darroch Way, Seafar Parking £15,000 Feasibility checks required. Afton Road (Kildrum) Parking/One Way £15,000 Request for additional parking: feasibility checks underway. Request for one way system out with remit/scope of LDP funding. Request passed to Roads for consideration. Drumnessie Road (Westfield) Parking Improvements £10,000 Feasibility checks complete. Project not feasible. Topography does not allow for development to be considered. Birch Road (Abronhill) Parking £45,000 Three proposals submitted. Further investigation required. This could be up to 26 spaces. Ben Venue (Eastfield) Parking £15,000 Feasibility checks complete, limited scope for development Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Netherwood Road (Westfield) Parking £15,000 Addition parking spaces Cumbernauld Peace Garden Memory Walk £10,000 To be delivered by Roads and Maintenance – Street Scene Eastfield Play Area Playpark £100,000 Balloch site identified, proposal submitted by local community Potential Community Board LDP Programme April 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Netherwood Place, Westfield Parking £15,000 Approved at Committee May 2023 Inchwood Road, Westfield Parking £15,000 Approved at Committee May 2023 Watch Us Grow Environmental improvement £10,000 Approved at Committee May 2023 Community Safety – CCTV (Kildrum, Carbrain, (Abronhill) Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with Community Safety Partners £25,000 Abronhill, Rowan Road and Carbrain Primary installed and operational. Ellisland and Carbrain Gully planned installation Page 36 of 118
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scheduled for early October 2023. Oak Road Football Pitch, Abronhill Parking Improvements £25,000 Reduced scale project to be delivered via Surfacing framework. Melrose Road, Greenfaulds Parking Improvements £20,000 To be delivered via surfacing framework. Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support community partnership initiatives £10,000 Millcroft Road, South Carbrain Play Area upgrade £80,000 £80,000 Contract awarded. Consultation undertaken August/Sept 2023. Braehead Road, Kildrum Play Area Upgrade £50,000 £50,000 Contract awarded. Consultation undertaken August/Sept 2023. Kilyth Projects Under development 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Kilsyth Old Peoples Welfare Committee – centre renovations Contribution towards improvements works at Old Library (Burngreen) TBC Organisation seeking third party funding support for essential building and facility improvements. Proposal will require to be updated Projects Seeking Approval - Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Argyll Place Parking Additional parking spaces required. £15,000 Proposal form submitted. Feasibility checks complete. Seeking approval in principle. Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Bogside Playpark Play Park upgrade £15,000 £50,000 Scottish Government Consultation complete. Part of current year procurement. Croy Community Hub Outdoor Community Space (garden) TBC Year 4 priority. Costings to be determined and community engagement required. Page 37 of 118
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Proposal form submitted, await checks and further community consultation. CCTV Community Safety £10,000.00 Banton Parking Parking £20,000.00 To be Delivery via surfacing framework. Rennie Rd project (MUGA) Requires community group involvement to progress TBC Year 4 priority. New group now formed, ACPM/CPO to meet group and discuss proposal Livingston Park Play Park Upgrading of facility £130,000 Contract awarded June 2023. Onsite and progressing. Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support partnership initiatives £1,500 Motherwell Projects Under development 2022 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes George St Park, Leven Street, Motherwell LDP form received from the group regarding constructing a walking Path round the park, with bench, Trim trail and a bog garden etc Proposal Form Received. Early stages, validity checks of project required. Rail Bridge Project, Craigneuk Working with the community to develop a rail bridge art project, which will include the potential for improvement works on Glencairn Road Early stages, validity checks of project required. No proposal form received to date. Fyfe Drive, Forgewood play park improvement and expansion Replace missing equipment and consider adding some more play equipment to improve the park £80,000 Further discussion with the local organisation and community No proposal from received to date. Duchess Park New notice boards and possible dog waking area Further discussion with the local community. Waiting on confirmation that the new notice board and Page 38 of 118
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Duchess Park sign can been replaced internally. George V Park (SEE WISHAW) Play Park improvement/ upgrade TBC Further discussion as this may become a joint project with Wishaw. Consultation and design specification complete. Newarthill Possible Path and benches Further discussion to be had with the Newarthill community council. Community project next to Motherwell fires station TBC Initial discussions taken place to determine feasibility and scope Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Newarthill Tree Lighting project Community Council want to light up 5 trees next to the welcome to Newarthill entrance feature £15,000 Community Council has submitted an LDP form. Further development work required. Further consultation with other services underway Burnside Street/Doon Street Play Area Play area upgrade £10,000.00 Completed August 2023 Newarthill Glenburn Ave. Parking Parking £10,000.00 To be Delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Community Safety CCTV Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with Community Safety Partners £25,000 Year 3 allocation. New Stevenston Play area Additional accessible play equipment £20,000 Completed April 2023 The Loaning Motherwell Improvements to play area £20,000 £100,000 Work completed September 2023 Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support community partnership initiatives £10,000 Approved at Community Empowerment Committee. Page 39 of 118
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Sandy Beach Play Area (Strathclyde Park) Play area upgrade £120,000 Completed May 2023. Roman Road play area Play Area £140,000 Project arose from petition. Community engagement process completed. Part of current year procurement. Robert Burns Avenue, Newarthill Parking bays £15,000 Further development work to be undertaken Northern Corridor Projects under development 2022 onwards - Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Auchinloch Community Council Auchinloch Village green Provide access to an outdoor green space £12,000 Year 4 priority. Project identified through Auchinloch Community Action Plan. Engagement for project completed. Consultation and surveys completed. Projects Team has met with group to consider feasibility. Northern Corridor Community Volunteers Locality Heritage Project Local heritage project £19,000 Year 4 priority. Third party funding in support of pending National Lottery Heritage Fund application. Projects Seeking Approval - None for this cycle Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Community Safety CCTV Additional CCTV in the locality in conjunction with community safety partners £15,000 Year 3 priority Community Partnership initiatives Funding to support community partnership initiatives £3,000 Year 3 priority Page 40 of 118
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Dunalistair Drive Play Area, Millerston Replace play area £60,000 £60,000 (Scottish Government Funding) Contractor on site August 2023. Moodiesburn Kelvin Drive Wheeled sports facility Wheeled sports facility £20,000 £133,000 (Developers Contribution) Year 3 priority. Feasibility and consultation completed. Part of current year procurement. Lochside Play Area, Gartcosh Refurbish play area £10,000 £80,000 (Scottish Government Funding) £5000 (Developers contribution) Year 3 priority. Feasibility and consultation completed. Part of current year procurement. Car parking bays at Blades Court, Gartcosh Additional bays on grassed areas £15,000 Consultation to be carried out. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework once in place Car parking bays at Lochside, Gartcosh Additional bays on grassed areas £15,000 Consultation to be carried out. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework once in place Frankfield Road, Cardowan MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) project . £40,000 Final cost to be confirmed. Year 3 priority. Feasibility and consultation completed. Part of current year procurement. Shotts Projects under development Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Pauls Parcels (Food Poverty Prevention Group) Community Garden / growing space linked with Salsburgh Community Council. Notional third-party contribution of up to £15,000 Organisation in early discussions with National Lottery Community Fund. Proposal form received 27/4/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Project dependent on securing external funding. Potentially allocated to year 4 or 5. Summerhill Place, Allanton Car Parking £20000 Proposal form received 21/4/2023. Project viability to be checked by Page 41 of 118
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Community Partnership Team. Potentially allocated to year 4 or 5. Torbothie access Improvements Car Parking / Hard standing area £5000 Awaiting submission of proposal form from resident. Salsburgh Community Council Commemorative Railway Hutch and Wagon on Rails £15000 Proposal form received 29/3/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Prioritisation exercise may be required. Potentially allocated to year 4 or 5. Salsburgh Community Council Solar lighting at outdoor community space to aide community safety £5000 budget. Proposal form received 29/3/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Prioritisation exercise may be required. Viability being checked by community partnership team. Potentially allocated to year 4 or 5. Salsburgh Community Council King George V Park path renewal N/A N/A Proposal form received 29/3/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Prioritisation exercise may be required. Viability being checked by community partnership team and will require other services input. Stane Gardens, Shotts Request for additional benches at Stane Gardens £6000 Proposal form received 14/4/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Viability being checked by community partnership team and will require other services input. Salsburgh Community Council Wider improvement programme for King George V Park TBC TBC Proposal form received 29/3/2023 and under review by Community Partnership Team. Prioritisation exercise may be required. Viability being checked by community partnership team. Benhar Road, Shotts Wider community safety and speed mitigation measures TBC TBC Proposal received 7th August 2023. Road being assessed by NLC Roads. Feedback in due course. Page 42 of 118
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Projects Seeking Approval- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Salsburgh Heritage Project PB approved project to establish local heritage group and features £20,000 Project complete -monitoring procedures are ongoing. Proforma to be completed. Shotts Currieside Avenue PB approved project. Replacement of existing play area £20,000 Completed July 2023. Stane Corner Parking Manse Road car park lining and directional signage project to be undertaken along with a community awareness campaign to promote car park usage £10,000.00 Year 3 priority. Manse Road car park signage and resources ordered and promotional campaign to be taken forward. Supply and installation of signage will be delivered by roads department. Further engagement with Stane Primary to progress September / October. Shotts Leisure Centre Outdoor Gym Outdoor gym £30,000.00 Year 5 priority. Local Community Partnership Team to review proposal. Lochaber Road Parking Parking £30,000.00 Year 3 priority. Site visit undertaken on 17th March 2023 regarding site layout. To be delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Community Safety CCTV Additional CCTV in the locality in conjunction with community safety partners £30,600.37 Programme of camera upgrades and new installations undertaken including support towards a deployable CCTV trailer. Hartwood Funding to support local organisation with play area refurbishment £15,000 LDP for year 3 £70,000 EKF external funding sourced by organisation Contract awarded. Installation began 25th September. Page 43 of 118
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Torbothie Rd Shotts Parking £20,000 To be delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Salsburgh Feature Lighting Project to install lighting on entrance features and war memorial £10,000 Currently assigned to Year 3. Plans being drawn up for implementation and delivery. Hareshaw Play Area Install additional item of equipment for older children £5,000 Installation to be confirmed. Laggan Path Parking £10,000 Currently assigned to Year 4. To be delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Muldron Terrace, Shotts Development of parking bays to reduce congestion £10000 notional budget Approved at community board 21/2/23. Allocated year to be determined. To be delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Potentially allocated to year 4 or 5. Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support community partnership initiatives £2000 Approved at Community Empowerment Committee Wishaw Projects Under development 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Newmains Community Council - Bike Track or MUGA Clarification on project once survey findings received £70,000 Awaiting survey results. Follow up meeting with Community Council being arranged. Parking Cleland Lack of parking at Crossgates Ave, Crosshill Dr & Fraser St TBC Project idea raised by local community – Site visit completed. Further checks required. Templars Gill Environmental & Woodland improvements – including installation of bike park Third party contribution TBC Potential of up to £100,000 funding from Sports Scotland Facilities Fund Idea being developed in partnership with Social Track and Green Action Trust. Proposal to be submitted in due course. Page 44 of 118
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Wishawhill Woodland Environmental & Woodland improvements around Wishawhill Woods including further development of pump track/cycling facilities Third party contribution TBC Potential of up to £100,000 funding from Sports Scotland Facilities Fund Idea being developed in partnership with Social Track and Green Action Trust. Proposal to be submitted in due course. Projects Seeking Committe Approval - Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Potential Community Board LDP Programme 2023 onwards- Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Maxton Crescent Phase 2 parking £15,000.00 Consultation competed. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Attercliffe Avenue Play Area Replace Play area £50,000.00 £35,000 Works completed, signed off 17th July 2023. Coltness Welcome sign Welcome sign £20,000.00 Year 3 priority – Joint site visits complete. Consultation in progress. Project team carrying out feasibility checks to progress. King George V Play area, Wishaw Replace Play area £50,000.00 £100,000 Year 3 priority – Consultation and Design Specification completed. Kenilworth Avenue, Wishaw Memorial Plaque and Distance markers £5,000.00 Year 3 priority - Consultation with local group underway. Awaiting responses to clarify design and location on site. Cleland MUGA Creation of New MUGA £70,000.00 Year 4/5 priority - Location identified. Additional funding required for project (approx. £50-70K) Cleland Public Park Refurb and extend play area £55,000.00 Contract awarded. Start date TBC. Joint consultation underway with supplier. Awaiting RPII. Lyman Drive Play Area Replace Play area – upgrade park £40,000.00 Year 3 priority - Part of current year procurement. Community Safety CCTV Additional CCTV in locality in conjunction with community safety partners £25,000 Year 3 priority – Projects ongoing. Page 45 of 118
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Newmains Play Area at Community Hub Improved play area facilities in conjunction with local community £175,000 Contract awarded. Contractor now on site, work commenced W/C 4th September 2023. Overtown Brighter Neighbourhood Group Outdoor Gym £45,000 Year 3. Part of current year procurement. Community Partnership Initiatives Funding to support community partnership initiatives £10,000 Approved at Community Empowerment Committee Park Quadrant Parking Junction improvements £10,000 Consultation complete and project will progress. To be Delivered via Surfacing framework once in place. Parkside Play Area, Cleland Install new swing bay £5,000 Contract awarded. Installation by end of financial year. Newmains Community Council Village Welcome Sign Creation of Welcome Sign £20,000 Year 3 priority - Early stages of consultation underway to develop design specification. Branchalwood Estate, Coltness Environmental improvements £5000 Nature Walk Upgrades. Idea being developed by local neighbourhood group. Proposal form submitted with location plan. Discussed at Community Board 31st August 23. Page 46 of 118
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Appendix 2 Annual Total Community Board Airdrie Bellshill Coatbridge Kilsyth Motherwell Cumbernauld Northern Corridor Shotts Wishaw Year 1 310,140 220,140 260,280 58,140 292,140 257,580 127,440 85,860 202,140 Year 2 232,605 165,105 195,210 43,605 219,105 193,185 95,580 64,035 151,605 Year 3 232,605 165,105 195,210 43,605 219,105 193,185 95,580 64,035 151,605 Year 4 232,605 165,105 195,210 43,605 219,105 193,185 95,580 64,035 151,605 Year 5 232,605 165,105 195,210 43,605 219,105 193,185 95,580 64,035 151,605 Page 47 of 118
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Appendix 3 Play Area Development Update 2023/24 Community Board Project Name Project Description Project Potential Cost Additional external or partner funding available Additional Notes Airdrie Gartleahill play area Replacement and upgrade of existing play area £20,000 £80,000 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Airdrie Craigneuk play area New play area £90,000 £0 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Airdrie Holehill/ Kenniburn Avenue New play area £50,000 £0 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Airdrie Moffat View Play Area Replace existing play area £50,000 Work completed early September 2023 Airdrie Plains Outdoor gym New outdoor gym facility £35,000 £0 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Bellshill Baird’s Avenue Park Improving play facilities and equipment at an existing play area £30,000 £70,000 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Bellshill Rosevale Crescent/Calder Park MUGA project, Mossend Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) facility £30,000 + additional external funding £100,000 Developer contribution Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Coatbridge Kirkwood Junior Play area New play area for younger chidlren £40,000 £0 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Cumbernauld Millcroft Road Upgrade Play Area £80,000 Scottish Government Play Park renewal fund Contractor appointed, installation due November 2023 Cumbernauld Braehead Road Upgrade Play Area £50,000 Scottish Government Play Park renewal fund Contractor appointed, installation due November 2023 Page 48 of 118
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Kilsyth Bogside park Replacement and upgrade of existing play area £15,000 £65,000 Scottish Government Play Area Renewal Fund Contractor appointed, installation due November 2023 Motherwell The Loaning Motherwell Improvements to play area £50,000 £100,000 Scottish Government Play Park renewal fund Installation completed September 2023 Motherwell The Roman Road Improvement and renewal of a play area £50,000 £90,000 Scottish Government Play Park renewal fund Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Northern Corridor Moodiesburn Kelvin Drive Wheeled sports facility Wheeled sports facility £20,000 £52,000 Developers Contribution Expected delivery Autumn 2023 Northern Corridor Frankfield Road MUGA New Multi Use Games Area £130,000 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 North Corridor Dunalistair Drive Play Area Replacement play area £120,000 installation September 2023 North Corridor Lochside Play area Gartcosh Replacement play area £0 £80,000 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Shotts Hartwood Funding to support local play area refurbishment £15,000 Installed September 2023 Shotts Hareshaw Additional play equipment £5,000 Installed September 2023 Wishaw Overtown Outdoor Gym £45,000 Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Wishaw Lyman Drive play area Replacement play area £0 £40,000 Scottish Government Play area renewal funding Procurement to be undertaken autumn 2023 Wishaw Newmains Improved play area £150,000 Installation September 2023 Wishaw Cleland Public Park Refurb and extend play area £50,000.00 Installation October 2023 Wishaw Parkside Install new swing bay £5,000 Installation September 2023 Page 49 of 118
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Communities Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref SP/MC/CB Date 30/10/23 Community Safety: Resilience Planning 2022/23 From Stephen Penman, Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) E-mail penmanste@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07947997750 Executive Summary Effective resilience arrangements have been in place for some time in North Lanarkshire to support communities in the event of poor winter weather conditions. Preparations have been further strengthened, with a Power Resilience Strategy also now in place to support recovery from a future national power grid failure. These actions recognise the key role community organisations play in ensuring local support complements planning established by the Council’s Corporate Resilience Management Team. The purpose of this report is to advise committee of progress made on current community resilience planning and how it contributes to the Community Safety across the nine Community Boards. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities Committee: (1) Acknowledge the progress made to date in relation to enhancing Community Resilience planning across our local communities. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Resilient People Item 5 Page 51 of 118
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1. Background 1.1 Creation of nine Community Board areas in August 2020 provided an opportunity for further targeted support to communities across North Lanarkshire in the event of poor winter weather conditions. As a result, a number of community organisations were contacted with regard to hosting a resilience pack containing key items required to support communities during poor and extreme winter weather. These resilience packs contain emergency equipment to help during adverse weather conditions and have been made available to local community groups across North Lanarkshire. For example, the holdall packs include shovels, gloves, hi viz vests, torches, foil blankets and a first aid kit. The resilience packs are available for organisations with accessible premises to use whenever required during wintery or adverse weather conditions, thanks to funding provided by the Council. At the initial stage, 30 organisations agreed to host packs, with Greengairs Community Council, Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre, Northern Corridor Community Volunteers, Getting Better Together (Shotts) and Cornerstone House, Cumbernauld among initial pack recipients. 2. Report Development of Resilience Packs 2.1 We listened to local community groups who, in conjunction with the Community Partnership Team and Resilience Team colleagues, developed a pack that would go some way to providing support in local communities that was accessible and sustainable. Local groups were contacted and asked if they wished to be part of the scheme and to play a role in building community resilience and improving community safety. Usage of Resilience Packs 2.2 The packs are held in local accessible buildings across the nine Community Board areas and the equipment can be provided to local groups who want to help, e.g., clear areas of snow or ice on paths or pavements. These emergency weather packs can prove crucial in the event of stormy, wet, or wintery weather, especially in outlying and difficult to reach areas. The packs provide a range of equipment to help keep people safe and aid the efforts of volunteers. 2.3 Throughout the period 2021 through to the summer of 2022, nine additional organisations agreed to host resilience packs, ensuring wider geographical coverage across the local authority area. In addition to town centre locations in Airdrie, Motherwell and Bellshill, and key locations in the Newmains, Forgewood and Carbrain areas, rural villages including Auchinloch, Salsburgh and Banton were also included in resilience activity, providing an increased level of support throughout communities. 2.4 As a result equipment has been used, in particular, to clear snow of pavements in several communities. For example, volunteers and staff form Glenboig Development Trust helped clear snow and ice from around their premises and local homes to assist local people, including older people, to visit premises whilst hosting their Community Page 52 of 118
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Drop-in warm hub from December 2022 until March 2023. Service users subsequently reported this action helped reduce social isolation and ensured they accessed a regular hot meal and daily group activities. 2.5 Throughout the summer of 2022, a review of winter resilience arrangements was carried out which highlighted the need for closer alignment with council plans regarding recovery from a future national power grid failure. As a result, extension to wider community resilience has ensured streamlining of support and delivery, which to date, has helped increase the number of current resilience pack holders to forty-two community organisations across a range of geographical communities in North Lanarkshire. Further community engagement 2.6 In September and October 2022, online planning sessions were carried out to identify assistance required by organisations who hold resilience packs and to underline the type of assistance they could provide to local communities. Additional items for resilience required within resilience packs was identified, including wind-up torches, radios, and two-way radios. Subsequently, wind-up torches and radios were purchased to be included within packs, with further research required at that time regarding purchase of appropriate two-way radios. 2.7 In early 2023, officers met with representatives from RAYNET (Radio Amateurs Emergency Network), regarding accessing appropriate two-way radio equipment that would best support pack holders with local communications in the event of a potential national power grid failure. RAYNET is a voluntary organisation with 70 years’ experience of providing communication support across the UK, and to other Scottish Local Authorities. As a result, 80 two-way radio sets, additional batteries and earpieces were purchased for distribution to pack holders from September 2023. A further engagement event was held in September 2023 with 18 local community organisations who are either pack holders or wish to become pack holders that will further strengthen resilience assistance, provide initial training around the use of the two-way radios and additional governance support. A usage agreement and annual review sheet have been created to help track usage of packs, when equipment and materials require to be replenished, and gaining pack holder agreement to store all equipment securely and maintain equipment in good condition. Making communities safer 2.8 The resilience packs have helped improve community safety in a way that is led by local community organisations and volunteers. Providing this equipment has led to increased community safety and local communities volunteering to make their own communities safer. Pavements and paths are clearer, and safer for people to go about their normal business which can positively impact on potential isolation for some who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go out of their homes. There are many outstanding local organisations and volunteers throughout North Lanarkshire who go above and beyond to help others, and through our funding for these packs, we are providing practical support. The enhanced packs will provide further equipment and material that supports community resilience and community safety benefits for local communities in the event of emergency situations. This approach has been recognized as good practice by the Scottish Community Safety Network. Page 53 of 118
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Our Community Partnership team will continue work with local support organisations to ensure they have the equipment needed in their areas and will ensure it is replenished when required. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The continued delivery of actions to strengthen community resilience across North Lanarkshire in the event of poor weather conditions and to support recovery from a future national power grid failure. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – List of current resilience pack holders 4.2 Appendix 2 - List of pack items 4.3 Appendix 3 - Copy of usage agreement. 4.4 Appendix 4 – Power Resilience Strategy Stephen Penman Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) Page 54 of 118
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The equality impact assessment for the Annual Review of the Community Safety Strategy 2020/21-2021/22 has identified a positive impact associated with all protected characteristics given the broad scope of the strategy and corresponding actions If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 55 of 118
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5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 56 of 118
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Appendix 1 Resilience Packs Organisations Airdrie (central) Lanarkshire Carers Centre Airdrie (central) Diamonds in the Community Airdrie (Glenmavis) Airdrie New Monkland Parish Church Airdrie (Greengairs) Greengairs Community Council Airdrie(Plains) St Philips School Airdrie (central) Bear Necessities Airdrie (Longriggend) Longriggend Village Association Bellshill (Mossend) Lanarkshire Muslim Welfare Society Bellshill (Orbiston) Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre Bellshill (Thorniewood + Viewpark) Thorniewood Community Council Bellshill (Town centre) Bellshill Salvation Army Coatbridge (Kirkshaws) Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre Coatbridge (Bargeddie) Lanarkshire Community Food & Health Partnership Page 58 of 118
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Coatbridge (Langloan) St Augustine’s Outreach Wishaw (Cambusnethan) MADE4U IN ML2 Wishaw(Gowkthrapple) CentrePoint Community Hub Wishaw (Newmains) Newmains Community Trust Centre Motherwell (Forgewood) Forgewood Housing Cooperative Motherwell (Craigneuk) Craigneuk Lifelong Learning Centre Motherwell (Town centre) Dalziel St Andrew’s Parish Church Motherwell (Craigneuk) Glencassels Community Development Project, premises: The Venny, Craigneuk Motherwell (North Motherwell) St Bernadette’s Catholic Church Motherwell (Jerviston) African Collaborative group Cumbernauld (Wardpark Industrial Estate) Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly (CACE) Cumbernauld (Carbrain) Carbrain Free Church of Scotland Cumbernauld (Kildrum) Cumbernauld YMCA/YWCA Cumbernauld (Town Centre) Cornerstone Community House Page 59 of 118
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Cumbernauld (Seafar) Cumbernauld Poverty Action Cumbernauld (Westerwood) Westerwood @ The Double Tree/Hilton Hotel Cumbernauld (Cumbernauld Village) Cumbernauld Village Community Council Northern Corridor (Muirhead) Northern Corridor Community Volunteers Northern Corridor (Auchinloch) Auchinloch Community Council Northern Corridor (Glenboig) Glenboig Community Trust Kilsyth and Villages (central) Storehouse Church Kilsyth and Villages (central) Kilsyth Community Fire Station Kilsyth and Villages (Banton) Banton and Kelvinhead Community Centre Kilsyth and Villages (Queenzieburn) Queenzieburn Community Hall Kilsyth and Villages (Croy) Croy Community Hub Kilsyth and Villages (central) St. Patrick’s Church Shotts (Allanton) Allanton Miners Welfare Social Club Shotts (central) Getting Better Together Ltd Shotts (Salsburgh) Salsburgh Community Council Page 60 of 118
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Appendix 2 Resilience Pack Resources Item Number of items per group/pack Rucksack/Cargo Bag 1 Yellow Hi-Vis Vest LARGE 20 LED head torches 20 Cold Weather Grip Gloves 20 Emergency foil blankets 100 First Aid Kit 1 Holdall 1 Safety Whistle 20 Hand Warmers 100 Torch 20 Page 61 of 118
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Snow shovels 20 Compact megaphone 1 Batteries - AA 40 Batteries - AAA 60 Batteries - D 4 Two-way radios 1 Earpieces and spare radio battery 1 In-Car Chargers 2 Additional Backpacks 1 Wind-Up Radio 2 Wind-Up Torch 2 Page 62 of 118
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Community Resilience Pack Holders Usage Agreement Name of Community Organisation: Email address: Location of Community Resilience Pack: Location of two-way radios (if different from above): Agreed actions of Community Organisation • Ensure all resilience equipment is stored securely and kept in good condition. • Ensure two-way radios are kept as dry as possible. • Ensure two-way radios are available and ready for resilience purposes. • Ensure that rechargeable batteries are ready for use and kept fully charged. • Maintain regular familiarisation with two-way radio sets. • Ensure damages or faults are immediately reported to the Community Partnership Team. • Ensure equipment needing replenished is reported to the Community Partnership Team. • Provide two contacts within the organisation with responsibility for the resilience packs and two- way radios (including name, email addresses and contact number). • Identify secure and dry location for all equipment. • Ensure equipment given out is returned to the organisation following usage. • Ensure that Community Partnership Team is notified of any changes to contacts or location of equipment. • Return an Annual Review sheet each September to the Community Partnership Team regarding usage of the Community Resilience Packs and two-way radios. Appendix 3 Page 63 of 118
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Privacy Statement How your information will be used. The data you supply to us is held and processed under the terms of the UKGDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The information provided on this form, including personal details, is only used in the processing of your Usage Agreement. Your information will not be used for any other purpose. Signatures Two members of your Community Organisation should sign and return this working agreement to Community Partnership Team. Name: Signed: E-mail address: Contact Number: Date signed: Name: Signed: E-mail address: Contact Number: Date signed: For further information, contact The Community Partnership Team at: CommunityMatters@northlan.gov.uk Page 64 of 118
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1 North Lanarkshire Council Power Resilience Strategy Document Control Version / Dated Oct 22 Next Review Date Approved by Document Editor Appendix 4 Page 65 of 118
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2 Content Page 1. Background and Purpose of Document 2. Planning Assumptions 3. Power Resilience Response Centre 4. Activation 5. Governance 6. Critical Services 7. Communications 8. IT Capability 9. Community Engagement/Resilience 10. Power Resilience Volunteers 11. Food/Water 12. Recovery Appendices 1. Power Resilience Response Centre Map 2. PRRS Generator Monitoring/Maintenance Procedure 3. Power Resilience Response Kit 4. PRRC Activation Procedure 5. Key Contacts 6. PRMT Agenda 7. Action Log 8. Social Care Power Resilience Procedure 9. Fleet Power Resilience Procedure 10. Housing Solutions Power Resilience Procedure 11. Asset & Procurement Solutions Power Resilience Procedure 12. Communications Power Resilience Procedure 13. Roads Power Resilience Procedure 14. Message Template 15. Public Assistance Centres 16. Public Information Boards 17. Example Information Notice 18. Power Resilience Support Team 19. Black Start Initial Response Procedure/ Confirmation of contact – Key Personnel Page 66 of 118
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3 1. Background A Black Start event is the name for the recovery process following a complete (or partial) shutdown of the Great Britain (GB) electricity system (National Electricity Transmissions Failure), where the planning assumption is full power restoration could take up to seven days. The timeframe to a full power cut is likely to be less than 2-minutes, meaning there will be no preparation time. The planning arrangements for such a recovery process are described under the term Power Resilience. Within the last United Kingdom Government National Risk Assessment, Black Start is rated with medium likelihood and significant impacts. Although the Council has well documented and comprehensive business continuity planning measures in place, all of these are based on the assumption that there will be a national power supply available. As a consequence, the Scottish Government have requested that in addition to normal business continuity arrangements all public bodies should also have a stand-alone Power Resilience Strategy which would be enacted in the event of any failure of the national grid system. In short, the delivery of any Council Services during a Black Start event will be limited to those critical services which are required to preserve life and every available resource available to the Council during this event will be dedicated to this task. All other normal Council services and priorities will be suspended over this time. The aim of this document is to provide a framework for and to enhance the Council’s power resilience arrangements. The objectives of this plan are to: • Outline and develop arrangements to be progressed in preparation for a Black Start. • Establish an activation framework to ensure an appropriate response to these conditions. • Outline the measures to ensure effective communications with the community, Council Officers, Elected Members and partner organisations. • Facilitate a corporate, coordinated response to Black Start. • Provide the framework for continued provision of essential services to the community to protect human life. • To minimise the harmful effects of the emergency. • Suspend all non-critical services to maintain and enhance essential services at an appropriate level. • To provide mutual support and co-operation between responders. • To open and operate community-based emergency Public Assistance Centres. • To support the local community and their part in response and recovery. • To promote a swift return to a normal life. Page 67 of 118
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4 2. Planning Assumptions This Power Resilience Strategy is based on the following planning assumptions: • The National Electricity Transmission System (NETS) failure is identified by the Scottish Risk Assessment (SRA) as a High civil emergency risk. • Government support will be limited so local responders need to manage the incident with local resources. • Power resilience planning arrangements assume no power for a period of up to 7 days but many of the legacy impacts will take longer to resolve. • Business continuity impacts on private, public and third sector organisations, including transport, finance, retail, manufacturing, and the production and distribution of food and fuel will place unprecedented, unconventional demand on emergency responders to sustain critical services and support communities. • Total failure of the NETS will impact multiple sectors and disrupt day to day activities creating direct and indirect threats to life and challenges for operational capacity. • Impacts will be widespread and cumulative as infrastructure and sectors struggle, further compounding challenges. • Continuous Airwave radio operation is not guaranteed, mobile telephony and access to the internet / internet telephony will not be available. Limited landline and RAYNET capability may be available in some areas. • Partners will develop specific power resilience business continuity plans. • The anticipated timeline for the restoration of mains electricity supplies from the initial point of a failure is noted below: Timeline Recovery Point of failure Point of failure to full NETS failure is estimated at less than two minutes, leaving no opportunity for alert or mitigation. 0-2 Hours Some power stations expected back online as part of re- establishing the National Grid but where and when unknown. 2-6 Hours Power progressively restored to customers (circa 5%) as power stations restart and form power islands. 6-12 Hours Power islands begin to join up to form skeleton transmission network (circa 10% restored). 12-48 Hours Rota load disconnections used to ration power if needed (circa 60% restored). 2-7 Days Continuation of rota load disconnections. • Day 3 circa 70% restored • Day 4 circa 85% restored • Day 5 circa 90% restored • Day 6 circa 95% restored • Day 7 circa 100% restored 7 – 14 Days Potential of intermittent widespread disruption via rota load disconnection. • In looking for information, welfare support and security the public may gravitate to any place or building with a functioning power supply regardless of its primary purpose, be that a hospital or police station for example. • Public order and the security of premises may become an issue. Page 68 of 118
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5 3. Power Resilience Response Centre It will be critical to have a central Power Resilience Response Centre (PRRC) where the response to the Black Start will be coordinated from. Obviously, this facility will have to be power resilient. The Community Safety Hub, Unit 1E North Caldeen Rd Coatbridge ML5 4EF will be the site for the strategic response to a Black Start event as at present this is the only building in the NLC estate with back-up generator capability. The generator can provide power for 5-7 days and can be refuelled while operating if fuel is available. A location map for the facility is contained within Appendix 1 to this document. To ensure generator capacity is maintained, regular checks and testing of the generator are undertaken by the Community Safety Hub which will also include sufficient fuel supply to guarantee 7 days of operation. Further details on the testing is contained within Appendix 2 and will be implemented and monitored on an ongoing basis by the Community Safety Hub. A Black Start Response Kit has been deployed at the Community Safety Hub. This has a copy of the Power Resilience Plan and instruction for personnel at the Hub as to what action should be taken immediately in the event of notification of a Black Start by Police Scotland. A copy of the information and equipment contained within the response kit is contained at Appendix 3. 4. Activation This protocol will be activated by Lanarkshire’s Divisional Chief Superintendent or Divisional Superintendent, based on information passed to Police Scotland Service Overview by power companies including SPEN who manage Lanarkshire’s electricity distribution network. A NETS failure event will prompt Police Scotland to declare a Major Incident on behalf of Scotland’s Resilience Partnerships. There will be no further information cascade by power companies whose priority will be to restore power to the national grid. Police Scotland Service Overview and Area Control Rooms will therefore take responsibility to cascade notifications to Category 1 and 2 Responders. If during office hours, initial contact will be attempted by telephone to LRP partner resilience leads and thereafter police officers will be sent to the headquarters / main offices of partner responders. If outwith office hours, contact will be attempted via details held by Police Area Control Rooms. Partners will provide representation at the designated local Multi-Agency Coordination Centre (MACC) location (as detailed below) to facilitate management of the incident. • Police Scotland Divisional HQ (127 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1RZ) Representation to the MACC will be through the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions or in their absence the Resilience Development Co-Ordinator. The local MACC will be co-ordinated by Police and partners will agree meeting frequency, mindful that remote comms will be very limited, so face to face meetings may be the norm. The West of Scotland on-call Police Emergency Planning Adviser will inform the West of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership (WoSRRP) Co-ordinators who will advise multi- agency partners if a Regional Resilience Partnership meeting is convened. External Notification Page 69 of 118
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6 Police Scotland will inform the Council of the declared Black Start through contact with the following key personnel:- • Des Murray • Derek Brown • Andrew McPherson • Teresa Murphy • Community Safety Hub This will be completed through an immediate SMS message to the designated phone numbers and by a visit by a police officer to the Community Safety Hub. Internal Notification Following notification to the Community Safety Hub by Police Scotland the Black Start response will be initiated by relevant personnel at the Hub which will then formally transfer to the PRRC until such times as the Black Start event is stood down. An appropriate Black Start Response Procedure (Appendix 4) is held within the PRRC and this will be accessed by the nominated personnel within the PRRC. To facilitate this initial response, all staff operating within the Community Safety Hub will immediately be deployed to assist in the initial contact process. The first response will involve contacting all key personnel who will form the Power Resilience Management Team and will be responsible for coordinating the Council response. A full list of the key contacts is contained within Appendix 5 and will contain core members of the Corporate Management Team and Corporate Resilience Management Team. Members of the PRRC initiating this response will contact all key personnel and then record how they have been contacted. This will be through several different options: 1. Global SMS message 2. Telephone while available. 3. In person through a visit to the home address if there is no response to the above two options. All contacts will be asked to attend the PRRC as soon as possible. On arrival at the PRRC the Power Resilience Management Team (PRMT) will be stood up and this will be chaired by the Chief Executive or in his absence the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions. It will be the intention to commence the first meeting of the PRMT within two hours of the initial notification of the Black Start event from Police Scotland. Page 70 of 118
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7 5. Governance The overall governance for the black start response is summarised in the diagram below: SGoRR – Scottish Government Resilience Room. When the scale or complexity of an emergency is such that some degree of central government co-ordination or support becomes necessary, Scottish Government will activate its emergency response arrangements through SGoRR. The precise role of SGoRR will vary depending on the nature of the emergency. SGoRR will: • provide strategic direction for Scotland • co-ordinate and support the activity of SG Directorates Page 71 of 118
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8 • collate and maintain a strategic picture of the emergency response with a particular focus on response and recovery issues • brief Ministers • ensure effective communication between local, Scottish and UK levels, including the co-ordination of reports on the response and recovery effort • support response and recovery efforts as appropriate, including the allocation of scarce Scottish resources • determine the Scottish Government's public communication strategy and co-ordinate national public messages in consultation with SCGs and other key stakeholders • disseminate national advice and information for the public, through the media • if appropriate, liaise and work in partnership with the UK Government. SCG - Strategic Coordination Group Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 Category 1 responders have a duty to co- operate/share information. This undertaken through Regional Resilience Partnerships (RRP), and Local Resilience Partnerships (LRP). In cases where it becomes clear that the complexity or scale of an emergency requires resources, expertise or co-ordination beyond the capacity of the tactical level, it may be necessary to invoke the strategic level of management to take overall command and set the strategic direction. Once this occurs, tactical commanders will direct operations within the context of any direction or parameters set by the strategic group. MACC/LRP A local Multi Agency Co-ordination Centre (MACC) will be convened at the Police Scotland Q Division HQ at Motherwell Police Station, Windmillhill Street, ML1 1RZ to enable communication and co-ordination of the response between partner agencies that make up the Local Resilience Partnership (LRP) i.e. North and South Lanarkshire Councils, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and Category 2 Responders (the Utility Companies). The frequency of meetings will be determined by Police Scotland who will chair the meeting and North Lanarkshire Council will be represented at this meeting by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (or Depute). Initially Airwave handsets or mobile telephony will be used for communication between the MACC and PRRC but in the failure of this designated runners will be required to communicate information between the two groups. The on-call Police Emergency Procedures Advisers will also inform the West of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership (WoSRRP) Co-ordinators. WoSRRP Co-ordinators will contact multi-agency partners in event that a Regional Resilience Partnership meeting is convened. PRMT The role of the Power Resilience Management Team is to: o Determine the strategic aim and objectives for response (see below). o Establish a policy for the overall co-ordination of the corporate response and ensure appropriate resourcing and access to expertise at all levels. Page 72 of 118
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9 o Liaise with strategic managers of other agencies and ensure that the aim, objectives and policies are integrated with those of the LRP and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). o Liaise with the Local Resilience Partnership (LRP) / Police Scotland Divisional Commander at the MACC at Motherwell Police Station. o Integrate key communication with the public. Where possible establish liaison with local radio. o Prioritise the demands of tactical managers and allocate limited strategic resources (such as fuel) and expertise to meet high priority tactical requirements in line with prevailing environmental conditions. o Provide a focus for liaison and communication with LRP (local Police Scotland Divisional Commander). o Where possible establish communication with the Leader, Senior Elected Members, local Members of Parliament (MPs) and local/regional Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). o Plan and co-ordinate recovery and a return to a state of normality. The agenda for PRMT meetings will follow a standard format contained as Appendix 6 although the Chief Executive/ delegate will have discretion to vary the agenda as response needs emerge. The agenda will focus on the critical services i.e. those services previously identified by Heads of Service that are essential to preserve human life. All actions emerging and agreed at the PRMT will be logged in accordance with Appendix 7 and the recording of all meetings will be undertaken by a trained loggist. 6. Critical Services All available resource of the Council will be focussed on the preservation of life and accordingly all resources of the Council will be channelled into the following key critical service areas: Service Area Purpose Social Care To identify and support vulnerable persons where there is risk to life or limb. Fleet/ Fuel Provision of fuel and fleet vehicles to allow delivery of key critical services throughout the district. Housing Solutions Delivery of services relevant to sheltered housing complexes and high-rise buildings and provision of accommodation for those homeless either because of the Black Start or otherwise. Asset and Procurement Solutions Opening of key buildings that will be used in response to Black Start and staffing of these facilities. Communications Initiate and maintain communication with staff, the public and Elected Members Roads In severe weather, keep access roads clear for key personnel and emergency services to critical buildings including care homes. Updates on all the above Services will be delivered through the standard PRMT agenda, however specific Black Start response documents for each activity are included within Appendices 8-14. These documents outline how that service will deliver its critical function. Page 73 of 118
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10 It should be emphasised that throughout the period of the Black Start event, no other service areas will be delivered by the Council and every resource will be channelled into delivery of the above critical service areas. 7. Communications. Internal The reasonable worst case planning assumption is that all forms of communication (mobile, internet, and landline) will be lost immediately or degrade over the first day. Although any short-term mobile connectivity (potentially up to 4 hours) will be exploited as much as possible, this is not guaranteed and will not be a long-term option. Outwith the PRMT meetings detailed above, internal communication shall be maintained through the following mechanisms taking into account this planning assumption. • Air Wave Capability There are 2 air wave radios currently held by the Resilience Development Co- ordinator and Resilience Development Officer. On activation of this plan one will be used in the PRRC and the second used by the representative at the MACC or as required. The planning assumption will be that full Airwave connectivity will be available. • Satellite Telephone System In the absence of any definite mobile telephone capability, satellite telephones/ batteries and chargers will be utilised to allow 24-hour connectivity with the Public Advice Centres locations and key facilities such as Bellshill depot as required. The hand-held units and batteries will be stored in the Community Safety Hub when not in use. During an incident the batteries will be recharged as required in the PRRC. • Face to Face Council vehicles will be positioned at the PRRC and PACs and used to transfer staff to allow face to face communication between PRRC and PACs, key staff, MACC, external agencies and Elected Members. Where communication is made by any member of the public with any employee at the PACs the details of this conversation/ request will be recorded in accordance with the template message form contained at Appendix 15. The purpose of this will be to ensure that the requests from members of the public receive a decision. External Partner Communication Communication with Resilience Partners will be through attendance at the MACC meetings by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions or depute. Public Communication Communicating with the public will be crucial to: • Provide reassurance and alleviate concerns • Provide practical information and support • Outline what is being done to bring the situation to a conclusion It is inevitable in a Black Start event that people will panic as communication through the normal channels (tv, digital, radio, print) will not be available. Alternative ways to communicate to the public is therefore essential to deliver key messages providing assurance that the incident is being effectively managed and that public order is maintained. Page 74 of 118
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11 It has been identified that several Public Assistance Centres will be established and supported by Public Information Boards which will provide updated information at key points throughout the day Public Assistance Centres Public Assistance Centres (PACs) will be set up in 9 Council facilities, with one in each of the nine Community Board areas. These facilities will be opened and staffed by council employees and a full list of the PACs, together with a location map, is contained at Appendix 16. All PACs will have generated power which will allow basic lighting, heat and the provision of hot drinks. The purpose of these facilities will be: • To provide a destination where members of the public can physically attend to speak to someone involved in the Black Start response and be provided with the most up to date position. This will provide a physical point of contact which is an important part of the response. • To provide a base should emergency services require shelter or where emergency supplies (water etc) can be dropped off and made ready for distribution. • A vehicle will also be deployed to each PAC which can be utilised in the event of any emergency and to assist with communication with the PRRC. • The intention will be to keep these facilities manned and operational 24 hours per day. • Each PAC will be provided with a satellite telephone which will allow direct and immediate contact with the PRRC. • For operational and safety reasons, a minimum of three people will be deployed at each PAC. • Provide a facility of last resort for emergency evacuation/ shelter for any individual(s). It should be emphasised that these facilities will not be used to make people comfortable; rather only when they need shelter to prevent any threat to life e.g. passengers stranded at a railway station in freezing temperatures. Due to these 9 facilities being power resilient, it will be likely that this will also draw unwanted attention. At the outset of the Black Start event, details of the 10 PACs will be provided to Police Scotland at the first meeting at the MACC which will allow use of the facilities of all emergency services but also allow a police presence in and around the facilities when required. The opening of each of the PACs is contained within the specific black start response procedure listed at Appendix 11. Public Information Boards To complement the PACs, every primary school within the area will be utilised as a Public Information Board (PIB). This will allow regular updates on the event to be posted at agreed time frames. These time frames will need to be flexible, but at the start of the event updates will be posted at 9am, 2pm and 8pm. The boards, where possible, will be placed and secured to the front gate of the school but decisions will be made for the most appropriate location at each school so that it is clearly visible and all information bulletins will be highlighted so they are easily recognisable. Each PIB will also provide information on the nearest PAC. A list of all PIBs together with location maps are contained within Appendix 17 and an example of the first information announcement is contained at Appendix 18. National Messaging It is possible that members of the public will still have access to broadcasts (mobile phones with power, car radios, wind up or battery powered radios etc) which will be maintained Page 75 of 118
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12 nationally throughout the Black Start period and accordingly the public will be advised to listen for public service announcements through BBC Radio Scotland on the appropriate radio frequencies. Elected Member Communication All elected members have a supportive role to play within their local communities and they will be provided with Black Start information packs which will provide the key messages of the overall response e.g. position of the PACS/PIBs etc. In addition to the information to be provided to every elected member, during any Black Start event, regular visits will be made to the Leader and Depute Leader of the Council by a representative from the PRMT to advise of the actions being taken. Where possible, visits will also be made to all MP’s and MSP’s to provide a similar update. The frequency of any face to face visits will be determined by the PRMT and will depend upon the level and criticality of information available. 7 IT Capability In short, the assumption will be that there will be no access to any Council or national IT systems through the PRRC due to potential power failures interfering with internet suppliers. To address this issue and allow access to critical systems if required, arrangements are in place with Data Vita. Seven disaster recovery desks will be available at the Data Vita base in Chapelhall and appropriate location maps, access arrangements etc are included within Appendix 14 8. Community Engagement/Resilience Irrespective of the effectiveness of the Council response and indeed that of our strategic partners, key to the successful management of any Black Start event will be an effective community response. To facilitate this, the Resilience Planning team together with the Council’s Communities Team have engaged with local community organisations and all Community Boards. This has allowed details of the action that will be taken in accordance with this strategy to be conveyed which in turn will provide assurance to communities and reduce the risk of public concern and civil unrest. Together with this, ‘Resilience Grab Bags’ have been provided to all key community groups. The purpose of these bags will be to provide both information and equipment which will assist communities in dealing with events affecting their local area. Along with the standard winter response equipment, this will also include information and equipment to assist in the event of any Black Start event. This will give details of PACs, PIBs and radio stations where national information will be broadcast along with torches, battery operated radios etc. 9. Power Resilience Support Team In addition to the critical service areas detailed above, there will be several routine tasks that will require to be delivered throughout the period of the event – attendance at PACs, vehicle delivery and refuelling, change of public information boards etc. To assist with this, a list of volunteers has been established who will be deployed by the PRMT to provide the necessary assistance and is contained at Appendix 19. This initial list will be the principal contacts but depending on the extent of the event and unforeseen issues that may emerge, the PRMT may need to commence further contact with other members of staff that would be available through normal emergency contact details. Page 76 of 118
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13 10. Water and Food Supply Water During a Black Start event the priority for Scottish Water will be to keep drinking water flowing/available where possible with a focus on hospitals, prisons and critical national infrastructure. Bottled or tankered water will not be supplied to Local Authorities however we will where possible facilitate the distribution of water supplies through the PACs. Food It is not within the remit of the council to supply food to the public. Residents will be encouraged to work together, supporting others through existing resilient community and voluntary groups and this will be included within the information provided to communities through the Resilience Planning Grab Bags. 11. Recovery/Stand Down The PRMT will take the decision to stand down response measures, only once it is clear that the ‘incident response’ phase has concluded, and the focus shifts to recovery. This decision may be taken in consultation with multi agency partners. The recovery process from a Black Start may be challenging and long-term, and priority will continue to be given to those most in need throughout this recovery process. The recovery phase from a Black Start event is also included as a specific item within Business Continuity Plans for all Service areas. Page 77 of 118
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Communities Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref SP/LP/SMcL Date 30/10/23 Access to Free Period Products (Period Dignity Initiative) update From: Stephen Penman, Chief Officer (Communication and Engagement) E-mail penmanste@northlan.gov.uk pollockle@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07947 997750 Executive Summary This report provides an update on the activity relating to the delivery and further development of the Access to Free Period Product / Period Dignity initiative. Members will be aware that since August 2018 all local authorities in Scotland were provided with funding to introduce access to free period products in schools. From January 2019 the Scottish Government provided additional funding to all local authorities to increase the number and range of places where period products are available free of charge to those who need them, with a focus on publicly accessible buildings. The purpose of the funding for schools remains to support equality, dignity and rights for those who menstruate and to ensure that lack of access to products does not impact on an individual’s ability to fully participate in education, at all levels. The main intent of the wider roll out for community provision remains tackling poverty but also wider need and to address the overarching gender equality and dignity issues that affect all of those who menstruate regardless of income. Currently, spending is split between school and community provision. This approach has been designed to reflect the needs of communities across the council area. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 12th January 2021, became legislation on the 15th of August 2022 and fully into force in January 2023. This important work will continue to be informed by the findings from online consultation with residents. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities Committee: (1) Acknowledge the significant work carried out to date across key council services and partner agencies. (2) Approve the outline of the planned developments for the next two-year period, this is dependent of additional Scottish Government funding for the year 24/25. Item 6 Page 79 of 118
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1. Background 1.1 From August 2018, all local authorities in Scotland were allocated funding to provide access to free sanitary products in schools. The Scottish Government made a new commitment in the 2018 funding year to expand this provision beyond schools. In November 2018 COSLA Leaders agreed to this proposal and developed ‘Guiding Principles’ in partnership with Scottish Government. Since then, North Lanarkshire Council has been allocated a share of funding annually to further develop the initiative. 1.2 The focus for this initiative is creating access to free period products, and by doing so tackling the impact of poverty or low income, which can often mean people are unable to afford the essential products needed while menstruating. By ensuring access to free products, many local people have some relief from the high costs of purchasing period products and will be less self-conscious about not being able to afford them and the stigma attached to this. 1.3 Annual funding from the Scottish Government has enabled the council to continue to develop the network of public building access points, to work with local community partners to target support across priority communities and to develop a campaign to raise awareness of the offer available and encourage a more open dialogue around periods and period products. 1.4 The council has undertaken a community consultation to find out residents’ views on the current offer, improvement ideas, and early experiences of the initiative. The findings from the consultation, along with feedback from other stakeholders, will be used to lead the ‘Statement of Intent’, which will confirm the council’s commitment to supporting the new law and the continued wider access to products. 2. Report 2.1 The main objective for this initiative is to create access points where residents can access a range of free period products and in doing so support people experiencing poverty issues. Consistent with the Plan for North Lanarkshire, the North Lanarkshire model has been developed with community planning partners to ensure wide reach and accessibility from public buildings and facilities, as well as distribution by local anchor organisations. The approach reflects the principles of: - • Protecting people’s dignity, avoiding anxiety, embarrassment and stigma. • Making a range of products visible in places that people use. • Reflecting community views and needs. • An efficient and effective approach that demonstrates value for money. • Individuals being able to get sufficient products to meet their needs. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement (20) Improve the involvement of communities in the decisions, and development of services and supports, that affect them Programme of Work All Programmes of Work Page 80 of 118
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• Gender equality ensuring anyone who menstruates can access products including transgender men/nonbinary individuals and that language is gender inclusive. • Awareness raising and education to both promote the ‘offer’ and attempt to change cultural norms. North Lanarkshire Council Funding Allocation (2018/19 – 2023/24) 2.2 Table 1 Financial Year Amount of Funding 2018-19 £81,112 2019-20 £187,155 2020-21 £359,000 2021-22 £359,000 2022-23 £336,000 2023-24 £336,000 Key highlights from 2022/23 2.3 The number of period products distributed from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 numbers of period products distributed via schools, public buildings or community anchor organisations is as follows: Single-use period products – (includes all single use sanitary products e.g., towels, tampons, liners): North Lanarkshire Total – 686,592 Number of Period Products distributed through public buildings or community anchor organisations – 320,744 Number of Period Products distributed through schools – 78,396. Community Projects 2.4 The council is currently working in partnership with eight anchor organisations to ensure effective targeting of support to priority communities within their area and to support individuals who are unable to attend local access points due to personal circumstances including. • Mobility and health. • Being unable to afford the cost of public transport. • Distance from home to the nearest access point for example living further than 20- minute return journey, which will be more likely for those living in rural communities. This is an increase from five organisations in 2021-22 to eight in 22/23 The anchor organisations, currently involved in the programme include: - 1. Getting Better Together 2. Newmains Community Trust 3. Glenboig Development Trust 4. Cornerstone House 5. Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Trust 6. Diamonds in the Community 7. Jerviston Community Centre – African Collaboration Group 8. Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership Page 81 of 118
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Additional information is contained within Appendix 1. Over and above delivering against the main objectives for the period dignity initiative, all the organisations involved are committed to taking a sustainable approach to the project delivery. Most of the projects have an environmental focus and are delivered by local volunteers using bicycles and e-bikes to reduce the carbon footprint of the projects. Each organisation also acts as a champion for the promotion of the use of sustainable environmentally friendly products. Communication and awareness raising: 2.5 We continue to raise awareness raising with dedicated marketing materials in a bid to promote and raise awareness of the initiative to local residents. This involves the use of North Lanarkshire Council’s online and social media networks. Other activities within the campaign include. • Posters and leaflets in all public buildings and facilities • Promotions at local events • Period products pick up location QR code, highlighting all accessible venues across North Lanarkshire Appendix 2 provides examples of some of the campaign materials. This marketing and advertising has resulted in a greater awareness of free period products to the residents of North Lanarkshire. NLC interactive map 2.6 The NLC interactive map continues to be updated on a weekly basis making sure it is fully to date to allow residents access the latest comprehensive list of local access points. North Lanarkshire now has over 100 access points that ensures wide reach and accessibility to the people of North Lanarkshire. interactive map Support to local foodbanks 2.7 As an extra level of support, period products are provided to North Lanarkshire foodbanks and food aid charities, so that they could be offered to service users who were dealing with increased financial pressures. Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership are the main agents for food- aid organisations to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach. Utilising their company vehicles and extensive networks they are able to ensure supplies were delivered to local food banks who then distributed products to anyone who required them. Partnership Working 2.8 Partnership working continues to be an important factor throughout this initiative. Liaising with community facilities, library service, Active and Creative Communities, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire, NHS Lanarkshire, and local community delivery partners coordinated approach has been established to the development and delivery of the initiative and ordering processes. Page 82 of 118
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Greater links have also been established with early years nurseries and family Learning centres to promote awareness of the offer. Some of the highlights of the partnership working has been securing a central store, stock management and distribution service with Dunlin Court, Unit 10, Strathclyde Business Park and Aquatec sport centre. The opening of new access points along with 2 vending machines in both accident and emergency units within University Hospital Wishaw and University Hospital Monklands. We continue to have twice-yearly partnership meetings and professional dialogue has taken place that has assisted in helping to monitor and review activity and identifying and considering options to improve and develop the service whilst providing updates on any of the project delivery that individual agencies may be leading on. Statement of Exercise of Functions 2.9 As part of The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 local authorities are required to produce and communicate a Statement on the Exercise of Functions to summarise the arrangements in place to meet the legal duties, which includes carrying out one or more public consultations. The information gained from the public consultation work carried out in March to July 2022 has been used to create the North Lanarkshire Council Statement of Exercise of Functions. The statement is contained within Appendix 3 and sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s commitment to free product provision details current and future provision in education establishments and the wider community. Public Consultation 2.10 The North Lanarkshire public consultation took the form of an online questionnaire. This was launched in March 2022 and ran until the end of July 2022. The survey was designed to capture the views of the general public with a particular focus on views from those currently using sanitary products, those who will use sanitary products in the future and those who may collect sanitary products on behalf of others. 2.11 The consultation covered the following broad themes: • General awareness of the availability of free period products and advertising campaigns. • Types of products currently used and views on accessing environmentally friendly products. • Locations of access points used and suggestions for new sites. • Availability of products and views on service received at access points. 2.12 The survey was completed by 288 people and can be viewed in Appendix 4. Response statistics 2.13 The survey was completed by people from all community board areas. The specific breakdowns are provided in Table 2 below. (Note: 3 people skipped this question). Page 83 of 118
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Table 2: Response statistics per Community Board Community Board Number of returns % share of returns Airdrie 56 19.65 Bellshill 24 8.42 Coatbridge 55 19.30 Cumbernauld 37 12.98 Kilsyth 6 2.11 Motherwell 49 17.19 Northern Corridor 16 5.61 Shotts 16 5.61 Wishaw 25 8.77 Total 285 100 2.14 Table 3 below, provides the level of responses per age group. With the highest level of responses coming from 40–49-year-olds with 91 responses. Table 3: Number of responses by age group Age group Number of returns % Under 16 23 7.99 16-20 24 8.33 21-29 43 14.93 30-39 70 24.31 40-49 91 31.60 50 and over 28 9.72 Prefer not to say 9 Total 2 100 Key findings from consultation 2.15 The most popular place for people to access products were leisure centres (22.82%) and community centres (20.75%). Moving forward it will be important to better track the locations being used for collection of products. Currently the only way to monitor this is via stock control. 2.16 The highest volume of products accessed were press on regular towels with wings (42.81%) followed by press-on super towels with wings (29.82%) The lowest number of products accessed were tampon super without applicator. The percentage of environmentally friendly or lifestyle products requested was 7.02%. Environmentally friendly and lifestyle products can only currently be accessed by submitting an enquiry. Products are then supplied by a local community partner anchor organisation or directly from the council’s approved supplier (Hey Girls). 2.17 It’s clear that, in the main, current access points are working effectively however, the proportion of residents who had to ask for products at sites remains high at 44.13%. While this is not necessarily an issue for some residents, the proportion who then chose to leave without asking remains high, with 53 respondents indicating that they decide not to ask for free products. This is an area highlighted for improvement. Page 84 of 118
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2.18 A high number of respondents indicated that there have been occasions when visiting access points that products were not available. This is another area for improvement. 2.19 Respondents have provided views on where free products could be accessed. This included doctors, local shops, community facilities, council buildings, foodbanks and other suggestions such as supermarkets. While the main focus for wider community access is public buildings, the feedback provided enables consideration and testing of the use options, especially in priority communities with high levels of deprivation and/or no access point. 2.20 Feedback from the survey indicates that more than a third of respondents were aware of the 2021/22 campaign, with the highest responses reported for the poster advertising in public buildings, followed by adverts on websites and social media platforms. 2.21 A high level of respondents (88.43%) indicated that the period dignity initiative and campaign has helped talking about periods and period products easier and more acceptable. This is a good indicator that, over time, stigma around menstruation and accessing free products can be reduced. 2.22 The consultation has identified that there is interest in finding out more about environmentally friendly period products (51.64%) This is significantly higher than the current level of requests being received. Options will be considered to build on this interest. Developments being planned for 2023/24 - 2024/25 period. 2.23 Using intelligence from our previous consultation work as well as other feedback from partners and stakeholders, several key developments are currently underway. Completion of which will assist with a further targeted expansion and the implementation of improvements aimed to improve processes, service deliver and the overall offer for residents: - 1. Completion of gap analysis and mapping to identify new access sites. The principle of a 20-minute neighbourhood is being used for this, with the aim to have access points within a short walk or cycle lasting no longer that 20 minutes for the return journey. 2. Review of existing access points to reduce clustering. Work is underway with NHS Lanarkshire to ensure health centre / clinic sites do not duplicate where there are access points available in nearby public buildings. The better used site, with longer opening hours will be preferred. However, where there is a demonstrated need for multiple sites within an area, then this will be retained. 3. Recruitment of additional anchor organisations for areas where a third sector delivery partner would be beneficial will focus on priorities communities within Bellshill, and Kilsyth. 4. Plan and deliver a peer-led youth project to deliver period dignity workshops and information sessions in local youth groups and projects. 5. Launch of a new campaign focusing on general awareness raising, promotion of environmentally friendly products and the interactive mapping tool. Page 85 of 118
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6. Improved data collection and analysis to better inform future developments and improvements. This will include improving the data on the locations being used for accessing free products. 7. Further community engagement on the use of environmentally friendly period products. 8. Consider options to improve the accessibility of products over weekends, public holidays, and extended holiday period when schools and public building may be closed. 9. Review the set-up of access points to ensure products can be easily accessed preferably by self-selection or other formats that are viewed as less embarrassing for residents, for example by using a discrete card to request products. 10. Produce a short training module and guidance note for staff and volunteers involved in running collection points, specifically ensuring products are regularly replenished and at ways to reduce stigma associated with requesting and collecting products. 11. Develop a community resilience / contingency plan to deal with any event of future civil incident or national emergency. Further information 2.24 Additional information, including the information pages on the NLC website, the NLC interactive mapping tool and the My Period App can be accessed using the links below: North Lanarkshire interactive map North Lanarkshire Council website – Free Period Products Scottish Government ‘Pick up my period’ app enables someone to put in a town, city or post code and find out where to access products https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/pickupmyperiod/id1500403938 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myperiodapp 3. Measure of success 3.1 Number of products distributed. 3.2 Number of individuals accessing free products. 3.3 Number of community organisations partnerships. 3.4 Number of distribution points across North Lanarkshire. 3.5 Number of environmentally friendly products accessed. Page 86 of 118
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4. Supporting documentation Appendix 1: Details of community anchor organisations supporting the initiative. Appendix 2: Example campaign materials Appendix 3: Statement of Exercise of Function Appendix 4: Public consultation - survey Appendix 5: Full consultation responses Stephen Penman Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) Page 87 of 118
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Fairer Scotland duty will be considered on an ongoing basis as part of the development and implementation of the North Lanarkshire approach to the provision of free period products. An integrated equality impact / Fairer Scotland assessment has been completed during the initial planning of the delivery approach. This will be further informed by our ongoing monitoring, reviews and public consultations and community engagement activity. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The period dignity / access to free period products is expected to cost the council circa £320,000 to operate. This is for both existing operations and new developments. However, funding for the initiative is provided through an additional grant from the Scottish Government. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact. 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Page 88 of 118
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Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Wider use of environmentally friendly products and delivery products is encouraged. This includes looking at testing approaches to increasing access to environmentally friendly products and piloting low carbon delivery mechanisms with local voluntary organisations. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? A communication campaign is outlined in this report 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 89 of 118
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If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 90 of 118
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Details of Community Anchor Organisations Supporting the Initiative Appendix 1 Community Projects Location Description Glenboig Development Trust Period Dignity Project Glenboig The programme aims to promote access to period products, promote environmentally friendly period products and ensure dignity to menstruating persons living in Glenboig and surrounding areas whilst respectful of our carbon footprint and the local environment. Improving on last year they added another electric vehicle to their fleet an E-Moped which allows for distribution to a further reach within the community compared to E-Cycles. Worked in tandem with partner agencies and use of social media to spread awareness of the Period Dignity Campaign. Training of 3 volunteers to support the campaign with continued focus on dignity putting in place various methods to procure products from discreet on site pick up to delivery through request from various sources such as email, text and social media. Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Trust NLC Period Dignity Project (Coatbridge) Coatbridge Products provided by North Lanarkshire Council will be distributed freely and delivered to local women, girls, groups and organisations by Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre on Electric Bike (to reduce carbon and supporting North Lanarkshire Council to achieve #Act2021). We will encourage women and girls to consider the more sustainable environmental products such as Hey Girls environmentally friendly products by providing information and opportunities for them to try these products, which for many would be unaffordable. Having purchased E-Bikes this has seen the project be environmentally friendly, along with the training of more volunteers there has been more awareness spread for the campaign and helping to reduce stigma around period health as a talking point. Continual strengthening of links with other organisations is helping in delivery of information and sanitary products. Page 91 of 118
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Newmains Community Trust Flo & Go Dignity in Menstruation Project Newmains Newmains Community Trust will undertake a Period Product Delivery Scheme within Newmains and Surrounding Areas. The scheme will involve a team of trained volunteers taking orders and delivering re-usable and environmentally friendly Period Products to those who need it in the community. It is the aim of this project to ensure that access to Period Products does not become another source of deprivation to those living in Newmains and that anyone who needs them, can access them in person or through the delivery scheme. Improving on last year the volunteers have been successful in delivering sanitary products to the community with hopes on expanding the reach across Newmains further. There is a focus on delivering more reusable products as they are in demand in the area, this will have a positive impact on the environment, coupled with the use of E-Bikes. Further promotion of the campaign has also been achieved through various events and working in tandem with partner agencies. Getting Better Together - Healthy Living Centre The Cycle Shotts Develop a delivery service by training staff and volunteers to use Electric Bikes to transport orders of Hey Girls environmentally friendly and lifestyle products to people in rural communities. This links in with the council commitment to ACT2021- Action on Climate Together 2021. Following the successful implementation of E-Bikes as well as an E-Van a delivery system has been established in the area. This helps get sanitary products out to households within the remote regions near Shotts as well as those who have trouble accessing drop off points. Increased work to promote the period dignity project as well as how to access the delivery service, along with an increase in attendance of events to further collaborative work and promotion. Aims to increase the reach and scale of those delivered to within the community in the future upon what is already established maintaining healthy growth. Cornerstone House Centre Period Products Project Cumbernauld Promotion of the ‘pickup point’ using Cornerstone House Centre’s marketing materials and social platforms, website and in-house information points. Cornerstone House Centre will raise awareness of the ‘app’ ‘Pickup My Period’ which allows users to identify locations across Scotland where Free Period Products will be available. Developed by Hey Girls and funded by the Scottish Government through their education arm Page 92 of 118
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‘My Period’. Hey Girls products are all sustainably sourced, reusable and plastic free. Inform local partners and key organisations of the service being provided at Cornerstone House Centre within the Health & Wellbeing focus already in place. Ensure ‘anyone who needs them’ has access to different types of Period Products ‘reasonably easily’ and with ‘reasonably dignity’. Provide environmentally suitable products provided by an authorised provider. Support other areas, identified if relevant by users of the service as financial or other issues may need support/help. Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership NLC Period Dignity Project Coatbridge (Bargeddie) Proposal to help provide all participants in our food classes - for themselves and their suitable family members – with free sanitary products. We also aim to supply all eligible community members who receive food parcels with the necessary sanitary products of their need. LCFHP also provide various foodbanks or community groups with a supply of sanitary products as and when they require. Jerviston Community Centre – African Collaborative Group Period Dignity Project Motherwell The African Collaborative group helped to operate a food bank in the Motherwell region, now looking to expand providing free sanitary products across the region as well. With aims of procuring E-Bikes and establishing a delivery service for those who can’t attend the access point due to disability and other issues faced. Including a delivery service and acting as a pick up point there will be a focus on building further relationships within the community to break down stigma around period discussion and continued work to promote the service/project. Diamonds in the Community Period Dignity Project 22/23 Airdrie Diamonds in the Community proposed to become an anchor organisation helping to support the period dignity campaign within the Airdrie region. Aims of the organisation are to promote and support NLC’s delivery of the period dignity campaign, promotion of the pick up My Period App, promotion of the campaign. Collaborative efforts within the community to raise awareness and combat stigma around periods and period health promoting healthy discussion and inclusion. Collection of data and feeding back key elements to NLC. Page 93 of 118
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Appendix 2 Example Campaign Materials • Billboard Adverts/Rear Bus Adverts/Railway Station Adverts/Plasma Screen Adverts/Pull up Banners/Posters/Flyers Page 94 of 118
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Holytown Gala Day Event 2023 The Holytown Gala Day event was an excellent venue to attend to spread the awareness surrounding the Period Dignity Campaign. As seen in the image provided there was a pop-up banner display created that established the goal of making members of the public aware of free period products in their area. It served as a good platform to have discussions with members of the community, spread awareness, discuss the products we have to offer both single and reusable. We were also able to have a positive impact in diverting people to make use of the NLC Directory Map showcasing all our pickup points across the NLC Vicinity. Not only that but we have had positive engagement with community members since this took place with many querying for more information. Showing a great uptake in community interest. Page 96 of 118
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QR Code Going forward we are looking to make the following QR code uniform across all our promotional material as it directly leads to the North Lanarkshire Council’s website in particular the NLC Directory Map. This is where members of the public can access a map that lists all the period pick up points across the NLC Region. It is easily accessible for all those who have a smartphone as it can quickly be scanned through their camera and have them on the website in a matter of seconds providing valuable information to those who need it. Page 97 of 118
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Appendix 3 North Lanarkshire Council Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Act 2021 Statement on Exercise of Functions 1. Introduction The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 24th November 2020 and gained royal assent on 12th January 2021. The Act requires local authorities as a responsible body to provide period products free of charge to anyone who needs them, by making products reasonably easy to obtain. Additionally, as a responsible body – this should be done mindful of respecting dignity and by offering a reasonable choice of types of period products. Local Authorities are required to produce a Statement on Exercise of Functions to summarise the arrangements that will be put in place to meet the duty, which includes carrying out one or more public consultations. This statement has been produced in accordance with our statutory duties and outlines North Lanarkshire Council’s commitment to free product provision and details current and future provision within education establishments and the wider community. 2. Our commitment North Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing free period products for those who need them. Our approach involves children and young people having access to products within their school setting and for residents and visitors through a network of local access points within public buildings and community facilities within North Lanarkshire. Individuals unable to attend a local access point can contact the council so that alternative arrangements can made, which may include postal deliver or deliver by our local community partner organisations. Funding has been made available by the Scottish government to enable this. In providing this free service, it is our aim to ensure that: • A range of period products, including single use items and re-usable environmentally friendly products are available to those who need them via all secondary schools and a network of local access points. • Our local access network is kept under review and developed further where appropriate. It is our commitment to do this in conjunction with community planning partners and third sector organisations, mindful of geographically gaps in provision and also of the 20-minute neighbourhood model. • Barriers to access are minimised and removed and that people can access products with dignity and without stigma. • Consideration is given to additional support for those who may require it. • Product demand is regularly monitored so that public buildings and community facilities do not run out of stock. Page 98 of 118
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• Residents and visitors are aware of our free provision. This will involve a range of advertising and promotional campaigns. Information will also be available on the council website; through social media platforms and through other communications such as posters and informational flyers. • Regular feedback is sought from service users so that improvements can be identified. • Public consultations and community engagement is carried out to inform our provision 3. Public Consultation The North Lanarkshire public consultation took the form of an online questionnaire. This was launched in March 2022 and ran until the end of July 2022. The survey was designed to capture the views of the general public with a particular focus on views from those currently using sanitary products; those who will use sanitary products in the future and those who may collect sanitary products on behalf of others. The consultation covered the following broad themes: • General awareness of the availability of free period products and advertising campaigns • Types of products currently used and views on accessing environmentally friendly products • Locations of access points used and suggestions for new sites • Availability of products and views on service received at access points The survey was completed by 288 people and the findings from the consultation will be used to inform the provision within North Lanarkshire. Full details of the findings are contained within the 2022 update report which can be accessed on our website. 4. Community Based Provision North Lanarkshire Council has developed a large network of community access points. The access points are in all 9 towns and many local communities within public buildings, and community facilities. To date we have over 100 local access points throughout North Lanarkshire which we will continue to monitor, review, grow and update accordingly. The access points have been established in public buildings and community facilities. North Lanarkshire Council have also partnered with eight local community anchor organisations who will provide local services within a cluster of priority communities. This also includes a fast free local delivery service for those who cannot attend our centres and access to environmentally friendly period products. Local food banks and organisations providing emergency food aid are also part of our network and on request can provide products to vulnerable individuals and families. Additionally, residents can contact the council directly by email to request products. In doing so the quickest method of delivery will be selected. Products available within our community access points include single use pads (with and without wings, regular, super and long) and tampons (regular and super) the various sizes/ absorbencies provided allow us to accommodate individual needs and preferences. The type of products available will be regularly reviewed to meet the needs and wants of the community. Environmentally friendly products are available on request. Page 99 of 118
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Products are available for collection by anyone who needs them, or by anyone collecting on behalf of another person. Products will normally be available within toilet facilities of a building, unless otherwise stated. Those who wish to access products can do so without having to ask a member of staff and in a way that respects their dignity. A person may access as many products as required. Information on stocked venues can be accessed via the PickUpMyPeriod App and North Lanarkshire Council Directory website. This allows users to enter a postcode or location to see where free period products are available in their area. 5. Provision within Education North Lanarkshire Council provide free products in all secondary school establishments and on request will be made available to primary schools. Products will be available in a way which respects the dignity of the pupil and can be accessed without having to ask a teacher. Products will be available during term time in at least one part of the school, normally the toilet facilities or from the school reception. Some schools may have products available in multiple locations. North Lanarkshire Council will provide ongoing support to its education establishments to ensure every pupil who requires products is able to obtain them easily. 6. Communication Information on our free period product initiative is available on the North Lanarkshire Council website. Details are provided on how, where and when people can obtain free products via our own easy to use app and the official Period Products Locator app. Enquiries can also be submitted at any time and will be dealt with by our Community Partnership Team. It is our intention to regularly promote and raise awareness of the free access to period products. This will involve advertising and marketing campaigns using digital and traditional methods. Information posters are also posted on notice and information boards in all our public buildings and community facilities. 7. Future Provision and Improvements North Lanarkshire Council recognises the importance of securing period dignity for all and will commit to using intelligence from our consultation work as well as other feedback from partners and stakeholders, to continue to develop our approach to providing free period products within North Lanarkshire. From our recent consultation and engagement work a number of key developments are currently underway. Completion of which will assist with a further targeted expansion and the implementation of improvements aimed to improve processes, service deliver and the overall offer for residents and visitors. Further details are provided within the 2022 update report which can be accessed on our website. 8. Further information Additional information can be found on the NLC website free period products (northlanarkshire.gov.uk) The NLC interactive mapping tool can be accessed using the following link: Directory records | North Lanarkshire Council Page 100 of 118
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Scottish Government ‘Pick up my period’ app enables individuals to put in a town, city or post code and find out where to access products. PickupMyPeriod on the App Store (apple.com) PickupMyPeriod - Apps on Google Play Index - MyPeriod (myperiodlive.azurewebsites.net Page 101 of 118
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Appendix 4 Access to Free Period Products in North Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire Council has been providing free period products since 2019. We provide free period products to anyone who needs them. We want to know if you find it easy to access the products and your ideas on how we could make them even easier to access. Please spare a minute to complete the survey below to help us plan for the future: 1. What area do you live in? Airdrie Cumbernauld Bellshill Kilsyth Coatbridge Northern Corridor (Moodiesburn, Stepps, Motherwell Gartcosh, Chryston, Glenboig, Muirhead, Mount Ellen, Mollisburn, Auchinloch, Cardowan) Wishaw Shotts 2. What is your age band? Under 16 40-49 16-20 50 and over 21-29 Prefer not to say 30-39 3. Where do you access period products from? (Tick all that apply) Library Churches Leisure Centre Community Cafes Community Centre Food Bank School/ Nursery Other Please give the name of the building you access period products from most often. Page 102 of 118
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4. What product do you use the most? Press on towel-regular with wings Press on towel-regular without wings Press on towel-super with wings Press on towel-super without wings Tampon-regular with applicator Tampon-regular without applicator Tampon-super with applicator Tampon-super without applicator Environmentally friendly or lifestyle products Other (please specify) 5. When accessing products did you have to ask or were they readily available? Had to ask Readily available 6. Based on your experience how comfortable did you feel when trying to access products Comfortable Okay Uncomfortable Decided not to ask for products Other (please specify) 7. Has there been a time when the free period products were not available? Yes No If Yes, When and Where? 8. Do you prefer to take a full pack of period products home or use what you need at the time? I prefer to take a pack home I have no preference I prefer to use them in the building Page 103 of 118
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9. Where do you think you should be able to access free period products? (select all that apply) Council buildings Community facilities Local shops Foodbanks Online ordering service Doctors Other (please specify) 10. Have you tried our new interactive map on the council website? If yes how helpful did you find it on a scale of 1 - 5. 1 very easy to use 5 no use at all very easy to use useful okay not easy to use no use at all Other (please specify) 11. Have you ever noticed any adverts for free period products in North Lanarkshire? If so, where did you see the advert? (Tick all that apply). A poster in a Community Venue (such as Leisure Centre) Snapchat YouTube On another website/Google Poster on a bus On a billboard/other outdoor advertising On the Daily Record online 12. Do you think that providing and promoting free period products helps to make talking about periods and period products easier and more acceptable? Yes No 13. Are you interested in finding out about more environmentally friendly period products? Yes No If so, please contact the Community Partnership Team on communitymatters@northlan.gov.uk or visit our page on the Council website. northlanarkshire.gov.uk/freeperiodproducts Page 104 of 118
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Access to Free Period Products in North Lanarkshire Appendix 5 Q1 What area do you live in? Answered: 285 Skipped: 3 Airdrie Bellshill Coatbridge Motherwell Wishaw Cumbernauld Kilsyth Northern Corridor... Shotts 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Airdrie 19.65% 56 Bellshill 8.42% 24 Coatbridge 19.30% 55 Motherwell 17.19% 49 Wishaw 8.77% 25 Cumbernauld 12.98% 37 Kilsyth 2.11% 6 Northern Corridor (Moodiesburn, Stepps, Gartcosh, Chryston, Glenboig, Muirhead, Mount Ellen, Mollisburn, Auchinloch, 5.61% 16 Cardowan) Shotts 5.96% 17 TOTAL 285 Page 105 of 118
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Q2 What is your age band? Answered: 288 Skipped: 0 Under 16 16-20 21-29 30-39 40-49 50 and over Prefer not to say 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Under 16 7.99% 23 16-20 8.33% 24 21-29 14.93% 43 30-39 24.31% 70 40-49 31.60% 91 50 and over 9.72% 28 Prefer not to say 3.13% 9 TOTAL 288 Page 106 of 118
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Q3 Where do you access period products from? (Tick all that apply) Answered: 241 Skipped: 47 Library Leisure Centre Community Centre School/ Nursery Churches Community Cafes Food Bank Other 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Library 14.94% 36 Leisure Centre 22.82% 55 Community Centre 20.75% 50 School/ Nursery 15.77% 38 Churches 2.49% 6 Community Cafes 7.05% 17 Food Bank 5.81% 14 Other 42.32% 102 Total Respondents: 241 Page 107 of 118
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Q4 What product do you use the most? Answered: 285 Skipped: 3 Press on towel-regula... Press on towel-regula... Press on towel-super... Press on towel-super... Tampon-regular with applicator Tampon-regular without... Tampon-super with applicator Tampon-super without... Environmentally friendly or... Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Press on towel-regular with wings 42.81% 122 Press on towel-regular without wings 14.39% 41 Press on towel-super with wings 29.82% 85 Press on towel-super without wings 7.37% 21 Tampon-regular with applicator 20.35% 58 Tampon-regular without applicator 4.56% 13 Tampon-super with applicator 14.74% 42 Tampon-super without applicator 3.86% 11 Environmentally friendly or lifestyle products 7.02% 20 Other (please specify) 6.32% 18 Total Respondents: 285 Page 108 of 118
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Q5 When accessing products did you have to ask or were they readily available? Answered: 247 Skipped: 41 Had to ask Readily available 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Had to ask 44.13% 109 Readily available 55.78% 138 TOTAL Page 109 of 118
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Q6 Based on your experience how comfortable did you feel when trying to access products Answered: 278 Skipped: 10 Comfortable Okay Uncomfortable Decided not to ask for... Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Comfortable 30.94% 86 Okay 17.63% 49 Uncomfortable 20.86% 58 Decided not to ask for products 19.06% 53 Other (please specify) 11.51% 32 TOTAL 278 Page 110 of 118
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Q7 Has there been a time when the free period products were not available? Answered: 239 Skipped: 49 Yes No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES Yes No TOTAL RESPONSES 40.17% 96 59.83% 143 239 Page 111 of 118
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Q8 Do you prefer to take a full pack of period products home or use what you need at the time? Answered: 274 Skipped: 14 I prefer to take a pack... I prefer to use them in ... I have no preference 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES I prefer to take a pack home 56.93% 156 I prefer to use them in the building 20.44% 56 I have no preference 22.63% 62 TOTAL 274 Page 112 of 118
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Q9 Where do you think you should be able to access free period products? (Select all that apply) Answered: 282 Skipped: 6 Council buildings Community facilities Local shops Foodbanks Online ordering... Doctors Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Council buildings 56.03% 158 Community facilities 64.54% 182 Local shops 66.31% 187 Foodbanks 48.58% 137 Online ordering service 77.66% 219 Doctors 70.92% 200 Other (please specify) 16.67% 47 Total Respondents: 282 Page 113 of 118
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Q10 Have you tried our new interactive map on the council website? If yes how helpful did you find it on a scale of 1 - 5. 1 very easy to use 5 no use at all Answered: 186 Skipped: 102 (no label) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% very easy t… useful okay not easy to … no use at all VERY EASY TO USEFUL OKAY NOT EASY TO NO USE AT TOTAL WEIGHTED USE USE ALL AVERAGE (no 13.98% 13.98% 21.51% 7.53% 43.01% label) 26 26 40 14 80 186 3.52 Page 114 of 118
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Q11 Have you ever noticed any adverts for free period products in North Lanarkshire? If so, where did you see the advert? (Tick all that apply). Answered: 103 Skipped: 185 A poster in a Community Ve... Snapchat YouTube On another website/Google Poster on a bus On a billboard/ot... On the Daily Record online 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES A poster in a Community Venue (such as Leisure Centre) 43.69% 45 Snapchat 1.94% 2 YouTube 8.74% 9 On another website/Google 22.33% 23 Poster on a bus 4.85% 5 On a billboard/other outdoor advertising 12.62% 13 On the Daily Record online 5.83% 6 TOTAL 103 Page 115 of 118
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Q12 Do you think that providing and promoting free period products helps to make talking about periods and period products easier and more acceptable? Answered: 216 Skipped: 72 Yes No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes 88.43% 191 No 11.57% 25 Total 216 Page 116 of 118
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Q13 Are you interested in finding out about more environmentally friendly period products? Answered: 275 Skipped: 13 Yes No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES Yes No TOTAL RESPONSES 51.64% 142 48.36% 133 275 Page 117 of 118
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