Agenda Document Pack - Environment and Climate Change Committee - 01/11/2023
North Lanarkshire Council · 1 November 2023
Back to Environment and Climate Change Committee — 1 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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23 October 2023 Members of the Environment and Climate Change 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 Environment and Climate Change Committee is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Wednesday, 01 November 2023 at 14:00 PM 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 H Loughran, J McPhilemy, T Carragher, P Di Mascio, K Duffy, F Fotheringham, W Goldie, J Leckie, A Masterton, M McBride, B McCulloch, M McCulloch, P McDade, F McKay, C McManus, L Mitchell, L Nolan, J Reddin, L Roarty, A Smith, A Stubbs, A Thomas, C Williams, N Wilson, G Woods. Page 1 of 60
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Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 2 Environmental Activity Campaign Update Submit report by the Depute Chief Executive highlighting the actions that are being taken to enhance the quality of the local environment across the Council area (copy herewith) 5 - 18 3 Update Paper - Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints Submit report by the Depute Chief Executive providing, in response to a Motion to the Council meeting held on 13 August 2020 and the update report submitted to this Committee on 8 February 2023, a further update on the steps that continue to be taken in respect of the action plan which was devised in order to direct resources to the areas of most significant concern, co-ordinating the Council's response to the best effect and delivering improvement works (copy herewith) 19 - 24 4 Sustainable Futures - Tree Asset Management and Ash Dieback Disease Forward Planning Submit report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) highlighting the early findings of desktop analysis carried out through the Ash Dieback Action Plan; (2) exploring the options available to continue to tackle the corporate risk that remains, and (3) setting out the scope for an Operational Woodland Management Plan (copy herewith) 25 - 34 5 Using Greenspace to Improve Health, Wellbeing and Social Outcomes Submit report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) highlighting the work undertaken in the last 12 months to improve health and wellbeing through activity in Greenspaces; (2) outlining work that has been achieved through additional temporary staff resource including enhancing the biodiversity of sites and large scale public engagement projects, and (3) providing detail on upcoming projects to enhance the local greenspaces of North Lanarkshire (copy herewith) 35 - 44 6 Amey Public Services LLP Operational Performance Monitoring Report for 1 April to 31 October 2023 - Financial Performance Submit report by the Chief Officer (Community Operations) outlining Amey Public Services Limited Liability Partnership performance against its business objectives and council priorities for the period April to October 2023 and its financial performance to July 2023 (copy herewith) 45 - 56 7 Contracts Awarded Below Committee Approval Threshold Submit report by the Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) detailing those contracts awarded falling below the threshold requiring committee approval (copy herewith) 57 - 60 Page 3 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AM Date 01/11/23 Environmental Activity Campaign Update From Andrew McPherson, Depute Chief Executive E-mail mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 280467 Executive Summary The benefits of a clean, safe and attractive local environment became acutely apparent during the recent pandemic and this importance is further emphasised in the number of ways it can help support the key themes within the Council’s new Programme of Work to 2028. In recognition of this, the council has provided investment in those services which exist to protect and enhance our environment as part of the budget process for 2023/24. To achieve the best outcome from this investment and to engender a shared ambition to improve all aspects of our local environment across the Council, our partners and the local community, all actions associated with this ambition will fall under the new It’s Your Place campaign. The report provides details of this new collective approach and highlights the actions that are now being taken to enhance the quality of the local environment across the council area. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee: 1. Supports the introduction of the It’s Your Place campaign. 2. Endorse the actions taken to tackle fly tipping. 3. Agree to the overall reduction in litter bin numbers but with the caveat that additional facilities may be required based on operational need. 4. Endorse the actions being taken to address illegal signage. 5. Agree to pursue performance targets with utility companies for the removal of graffiti from utility street furniture. 6. Supports the extension of grass cutting into the verges of 40mph and above A and B Category roads as outlined within paragraph 2.6.1. 7. Supports the extension of wild meadow planting and the pilot areas for No Mow May. 8. Endorses the approach to have community groups at the heart of local environmental improvement and how this can be increased and supported in coming years. Item 2 Page 5 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 Approved at Policy and Strategy Committee on 16 March 2023, The Plan for North Lanarkshire – Programme of work to 2028 provided members with the proposed significant enhancements for the Council’s new programme of work to ensure that the council continues to deliver on the ambitious vision and strategic direction elected members committed to and affirmed in recent years. 1.2 In recognition of the importance that our local environment plays in the delivery of the overall programme, and in particular the three key themes of Transforming Places, Sustainable Futures and Invest in North Lanarkshire, the council has brought together key services under the new campaign It’s Your Place. 1.3 The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that all services have an awareness and understanding of the key environmental themes that require to be addressed across North Lanarkshire, the opportunities that exist to enhance this delivery through shared resource, all of which will drive an improvement in our local environment to the benefit of our residents and those visiting and working within the area. It also builds upon the investment of £0.9M into environmental services which was delivered as part of the Council’s budget for 2023/24. 1.4 The report provides an overview on the actions that are now being taken forward and planned. 2. Report 2.1 Fly Tipping 2.1.1 Incidents of fly tipping have received an increased profile over the last three years and is most likely a consequence of lock down when residents became more familiar with their immediate environment and the impact that fly tipping had on the enjoyment of local environments. This is not a unique problem to North Lanarkshire and similar concerns have been raised across all local authorities in Scotland. 2.1.2 This perception that fly tipping is an increasing problem contrasts with the number of incidents reported to the Council which is demonstrated in Table 1 below where the numbers of reported incidents have decreased continually over the last four years. 9. Supports the introduction of improved communal recycling facilities through the Recycling Improvement Fund. 10. Agrees to further reports to Committee on the Circular Economy Bill and National Litter and Fly Tipping Strategy as further details become available. 11. Supports the Communication Strategy to support all of the actions. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (17) Ensure we keep our environment clean, safe, and attractive Page 6 of 60
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Irrespective of this, the numbers of incidents are still too high, and the problem of fly tipping is still a significant issue for our residents. 2.1.3 The recent budget decision taken to invest in environmental issues has allowed three temporary Environmental Protection Officer posts to be made permanent bringing a total of 8FTE which will allow a continued focus on enforcement around the area of fly tipping. This will include the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) for fly tipping and Table 1 below provides details of the numbers of FPN’s issued over the last 4 years together with the number of fixed penalty notices issued: Table 1 – Number of Incidents of Fly Tipping and FPN’s Issued Financial year Number of fly tipping incidents reported Number of FPNs issued 2019-2020 6,303 125 2020-2021 5,975 39 2021-2022 4,524 32 2022-2023 4,292 55 2023-2024 YTD * 2,412 43 * * year to date figures calculated on 28/09/2023. 2.1.4 Although enforcement is a key tool in addressing fly tipping, of just as great importance is the deterrent measures which are now being introduced across the Council area. This has included the provision of fly tipping signage, barriers to prevent access to fly tipping hot spots and most notably the investment in CCTV cameras. Much of the fly tipping takes place in and around country and side roads where it is simply not possible to introduce barriers or have a constant officer presence. The deployment of around 40 mobile CCTV cameras has allowed us to cover these areas and catch fly tippers in the act. Depending on the level of fly tipping, we will consider the issue of an FPN and through the use of the additional CCTV units. 43 FPNs have been issued so far this year (report generated on 26/09/2023) which suggests that the number issued annually will be well above any year since 2019-2020. 2.1.5 The Fixed Penalty route is an effective method in addressing low levels of fly tipping but where the levels of waste being fly tipped are substantial, then the service will consider the prosecution of the offender in partnership with Police Scotland. A recent criminal prosecution success was delivered against a fly tipping offender which resulted in a £750 fine and £300 compensation awarded to the council. At the time of compiling this report, we are actively engaged in a further six cases which have been passed to Police Scotland who assist in interviewing suspects and reporting cases to the Procurator Fiscals service on our behalf. This has been a very successful partnership initiative which involves liaising with local area problem solving (LAPS) teams and community sergeants across the Q Division. 2.1.6 On many occasions, those individuals engaged in fly tipping are also linked to serious and organised crime groups, and consequently where we gather intelligence relevant to fly tipping on a larger scale, this can be shared with partners in Police Scotland and SEPA through the Council’s Serious and Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism group (SOCCT). This ensures that all intelligence relevant to criminality is held centrally which allows a more coordinated response against such crime groups. Page 7 of 60
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2.2 Litter and Litter Bins 2.2.1 As members will be aware, there was a recent budget decision to rationalise the overall number of litter bins by removing all existing bins and replacing them with larger free- standing units which would be emptied as part of the normal waste collection service every three weeks. This would in turn double the overall litter bin capacity but reduce the resource required to empty the bins. As we have seen, regrettably these bins are now being filled with non-litter items (business waste, domestic black bags etc) which is leading them to become full well before the initial three weekly collection cycle. 2.2.2 Although we have attempted to address this through speaking to businesses etc, the scale of the issue is such that we cannot stop this across all litter bins. As a consequence, the Waste service introduced a weekly collection service for all litter bins from the 2nd July. This has been delivered through existing resource within the service generated through ongoing efficiency measures. Further to this, we are also in discussion with the bin manufacturer to look at reducing the size of the apertures on the bins. This will allow all litter to be disposed of but will prevent the larger items from being placed into the bin. If this is successful, then the Service will then again review the emptying frequency required. 2.2.3 Following the introduction of the rationalisation exercise, there was concern expressed by members on the level of reduction and it was agreed that a consultation exercise would be undertaken on the rationalisation including a review of the total number of litter bins that would remain. A key point that was raised during this process was the requirement to reintroduce litter bins to parks and open spaces as opposed to simply having bins at the main entrance and exit points. It was agreed that this was a legitimate concern, and an exercise was then undertaken to determine the level of bins that would be reintroduced. 2.2.4 This exercise has now been completed and the outcome is that 640 bins will now be reintroduced across parks and country spaces. In summary, there were a total of 3,682 litter bins available prior to the budget decision and we now have 1910 bins located within streets. Combining this number with the 640 within our parks and open spaces provides 2550 bins in total – a 30.8% reduction. It is accepted that this will be the minimum number as going forward additional bins will be required, but the decision to provide additional bins will be based on an operational need (greater than weekly collection required, new estate, litter issues in an area etc.) and not simply on request. 2.2.5 Similar to that detailed above, the further investment in the Environmental Protection Officers has allowed a renewed focus on enforcement relevant to littering. This will involve Officers patrolling town centres and other areas affected by littering and issuing on the spot fixed penalty fines to those individuals witnessed littering. It also involves close partnership working with the Council’s CCTV team which allows officers to identify littering within retail parks etc from vehicles and the issuing of FPN’s to the registered keeper of those vehicles. Table 2 below provides details of the number of littering fixed penalty notices that have been issued over the last 5 years and the additional focus since the start of this financial year has seen 200 notices issued within the first quarter alone: Page 8 of 60
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Table 2 – Litter Fixed Penalty Notices Financial year Number of FPNs issued 2019-2020 504 2020-2021 371 2021-2022 364 2022-2023 479 2023-2024 to date* 308 * year to date figures calculated on 28/09/2023. 2.3 Dog Fouling 2.3.1 The levels of dog fouling within North Lanarkshire have shown a decrease over the last few years. This is demonstrated through the most recent Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) which is an independent assessment of the cleanliness of a local authority’s streets and is undertaken through Keep Scotland Beautiful. This assessment found that only 2.7% of those streets assessed had evidence of dog fouling. This is compared to an average of 5.4% across our benchmarking group and 6.4% nationally. 2.3.2 Despite this, it is accepted that dog fouling continues to be a topic of concern for residents within specific areas and accordingly the Protective Services team continue to provide a free supply of dog fouling bags to residents - amounting to around one million per annum. 2.3.3 Along with dog fouling, the Council’s two animal welfare officers are also engaged in other aspects of dog control including the uplift of stray dogs and the issuing of Dog Control Notices on those dogs which are giving rise to alarm and distress within local communities. 2.3.4 To further emphasise all aspects relevant to responsible dog ownership, the Protective Services team will relaunch the Good Dog Campaign in the autumn of this year. 2.4 Illegal Signage/ Fly Posting 2.4.1 The presence of illegal signage (or ‘fly posting’) principally on our major roads and town centres, detracts from the overall appearance and removes potential sources of income for the Council as businesses avoid paying for roundabout and other forms of legitimate advertising. 2.4.2 In response to this, the Land Services team commenced a process to remove all such signage from our town centres from the 3 July, with our partner contractor Amey provided with a list of locations which would require removal of signage which has been placed at height. This will now continue with routine sweeps of the area, the purpose of which will be to quickly get the message across to companies engaged in this practice that the trouble and expense of putting up illegal signage is pointless. Page 9 of 60
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2.4.3 A small number of local authorities have introduced the threat of fines for businesses engaged in this practice to recover the costs of removal. At present, it would not be the intention to introduce this measure as the time taken in establishing addresses for businesses and the administration costs involved in issuing and potentially chasing non-payment of the fine is thought to be disproportionate to any benefit that would be achieved. That said, the introduction of a fine is an option that will always be kept under consideration should we consider that it would be of use against those businesses who continually fly post and fail to take notice of warnings to cease the practice. 2.5 Graffiti 2.5.1 The Land Services team previously had two vehicles which were dedicated to the removal of graffiti. With the provision of the additional investment within the grass cutting teams, this will allow a further team to be dedicated to graffiti removal, providing a team within each of the North, Central and South areas. 2.5.2 These teams currently remove graffiti from Council owned buildings and structures, but a common complaint being received is the level of graffiti on utility boxes – gas, electric, telephony etc. This issue is not unique to North Lanarkshire and is a common problem across similar local authorities in Scotland. This matter will now be raised by the Council’s Road Service at the Roads Authority and Utilities Committee (RAUC). Although we will accept that all graffiti will not be removed immediately, we would look to agree a set of performance targets depending on the nature of the graffiti, with more offensive graffiti removed as soon as possible but with an acceptance that lower levels of graffiti will take a longer period. 2.6 Grass Cutting and Green Space Management 2.6.1 The recent budget decision of the Council to provide additional investment into environmental services will allow the deletion of all seasonal posts within Land Services and the creation of 58FTE permanent posts. This recruitment will be complete in late autumn and the benefits will start to be seen over the autumn and winter periods in that it will allow for completion of the winter shrub pruning programme. In addition, it will enable additional resilience within parks and open spaces and some one-off works to tidy the streetscape at priority sites. It will also allow for the re-introduction of verge cutting on 40mph and above A and B Category roads, including the cutting of grass outwith the normal cutting cycle for safety or aesthetic reasons, and increased maintenance of roundabouts on the same roads at the end of the grass cutting period and during the winter months. 2.6.2 Coupled with the changes above, Land Services, together with the Council’s Greenspace team, will now look to introduce a number of pilot sites across the Council area to support the national ‘No Mow May’ campaign. This is a national campaign which encourages all homeowners and green space managers not to cut grass during May which in turn will allow spring plants a chance to set seed before the first cut, making for healthier, more diverse green spaces and provides a food source for bees, butterflies and other pollinators through summer. 2.6.3 In support of this campaign, it is the intention of the services to identify a number of areas within our parks and community areas which would be signposted to advise members of the public of the reason for no grass cutting. It would also be the intention to engage with local community groups so that any areas identified are done so with community support. Those areas to be included would be monitored by the Greenspace team to assess the level of floral diversity emerging in the uncut areas. Page 10 of 60
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The findings from this pilot will then be reviewed (including feedback from the local communities) and an outcome from this provided to Committee with a summary of the success or otherwise of the pilot and a recommendation on whether the project could be amended/ extended into other areas. 2.6.4 Aligned to ‘No Mow May’ the Council is also actively seeking to increase the level of wild meadow planting across North Lanarkshire. The UK has lost over 97% of its native flower-rich meadows over the past century and these meadows are an essential for effective biodiversity: • The flower rich meadows are excellent for pollinators. • The meadows store 30% more carbon than normal grass. • Provide homes and food for invertebrates, mammals, bats and birds. • Reduce stress and improve wellbeing for those communities in which they are present. 2.6.5 Although we have already introduced wild meadows across our three country parks and other specific sites (Bellshill Gateway cycle facility, Greenhead Moss, St Maurice’s High School etc.) following consultation with communities, eight town park biodiversity meadows will now be taken forward in autumn of this year. Those parks to be included are: • Burngreen, Kilsyth. • Centenary Park, Airdrie. • Glenboig Park, Glenboig. • West End Park, Coatbridge. • Central Park, Airdrie. • Belhaven Park, Wishaw. • Duchess Park, Motherwell. • Dalzell Estate, Motherwell. 2.6.6 Further to the above, the Greenspace team, through Nature Restoration funding are now looking at the feasibility of establishing biodiversity meadows in some of our cemeteries and the establishment and maintenance of all these meadows takes forward several of the actions in North Lanarkshire’s Biodiversity Action Plan: North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plan . 2.7 Community Engagement 2.7.1 The role of our local communities is key to addressing the challenging issues being experienced and work has been undertaken across the 9 Community Boards. Previously, through Recover NL, local community groups were funded to purchase a range of equipment and supplies, such as gardening equipment, plant and PPE which has increased community group capacity to deliver environmental improvements in their areas. 2.7.2 More recently, work has been ongoing to develop Environmental Clean Up Hubs across the 9 Community Board areas in conjunction with Keep Scotland Beautiful. The Hubs are community groups, Council buildings or businesses who hold equipment to allow litter picks to be undertaken within that area. This work through the Community Partnership Team, has resulted in 10 new Clean Up Hubs who are now registered and have been added to the interactive Clean Up Scotland Map. This has increased the total number of Hubs within North Lanarkshire to 19 and work continues to continue to increase the number of clean up hubs across the area. Page 11 of 60
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2.7.3 The above hubs have allowed the council to fully support Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean campaign, with 100 litter picks carried out by local groups across North Lanarkshire, a significant increase in participation from previous years. Hilltop Primary School in Airdrie won the Glasgow and Strathclyde category in KSB’s Litter League initiative aimed at getting children more involved in the litter issue across the country. Pupils collected 65 bags of litter along Petersburn Road to win. The school also finished second in the national category. It is the intention to build on this success which will result in further improvements on our participation figures for next year’s event. 2.8 Recycling Improvement Fund (RIF) 2.8.1 North Lanarkshire Council has a number of flatted properties which are provided with a weekly residual waste collection and only have access to recycling through communal recycling points. There are currently 91 such sites which accept paper, card, plastic and metal comingled using Node containers. 2.8.2 Since the introduction of these sites over 10 years ago, we have seen a continued decline in the quality of recyclate collected and the fabric of the containers themselves. This is due to several factors including: • Deterioration of the Node containers due to this type of container no longer being manufactured and difficulty in sourcing replacement parts. • A lack of targeted communication with residents promoting use of recycling points. • Fly tipping around the sites. • Collection crews find the containers difficult to manoeuvre due to their design and there are issues with locking mechanisms. This has led to lids not being closed correctly, allowing for bulky non target recycling material to be deposited. 2.8.3 To address the above issues and replace the existing Node facilities, the Waste Service has secured £276k from Zero Waste Scotland’s RIF for an enhanced Communal Recycling project. 2.8.4 This project seeks to significantly enhance the recycling provision across these sites to encourage greater participation by increasing the range of materials accepted (will now include food and textiles) and aligning these facilities with our wider kerbside service. Towards the end of this financial year, we will refresh facilities at our sites providing enhanced recycling services, remove Nodes and replace with 1100l lid in lid bins, food waste housing units and textile recycling banks. The new container provision proposed across these sites will reduce potential for contamination and ultimately improve the quality of recyclate collected. The project seeks to change attitudes and behaviours of residents and regain their confidence that efforts to recycle are not being wasted. 2.9 Circular Economy Bill and National Litter and Fly Tipping Strategy 2.9.1 The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on the 13 June 2023. Although still at the Bill stage, its purpose is to introduce measures as part of the transition to a circular economy that require primary legislation, and to modernise Scotland’s waste and recycling services. Page 12 of 60
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2.9.2 In summary the Bill includes the following provisions: • Circular economy strategy: placing a duty on Scottish Ministers to publish or refresh a circular economy strategy at least every 5 years. • Circular economy targets: developing statutory targets for the Scottish Ministers. • Restrictions on the disposal of unsold consumer goods: providing powers to limit the disposal of unsold goods. • Charges for single-use items: creating a power to set a minimum charge for certain throwaway items. • Householder’s duty of care in relation to waste: making it a criminal offence for a householder to breach their existing duties of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, in relation to the transfer of waste, and creating a new fixed penalty regime to enforce these duties. This targets the removal of waste from households by ‘a man with a van’ enterprises at a much-reduced price which inevitably can lead to fly tipping. • Household waste: requiring local authorities to comply with a code of practice on collection and recycling and giving local authorities a package of new responsibilities and powers, including powers for the Scottish Ministers to set recycling targets for local authorities. It also provides for powers to introduce a civil penalty regime for those individuals who after warnings continue to not recycle properly and contaminate their recycling bins. • Littering from vehicles: establishing a new civil penalty regime that will make the keeper of a vehicle liable to pay a civil penalty charge in respect of a littering offence committed from that vehicle. • Enforcement powers in respect of certain environmental offences: improving enforcement against fly-tipping and other waste crime through a power allowing the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (“SEPA”) and local authorities to seize vehicles involved in specified waste crime. 2.9.3 As further details of this Bill become available, subsequent reports will be provided to Committee outlining the legislative changes and their impacts on the local authority. There is currently an online consultation document from the Scottish Government on the measures proposed in the Bill and the relevant services will be making appropriate comment. 2.9.4 This Bill is further supported by the recent launch of the National Litter and Fly Tipping Strategy which sets out a refreshed approach to tackling litter and fly tipping. Many of the new measures contained within this strategy are outlined within the Circular Economy Bill, but the strategy also commits to: • Raising the level of the Fixed Penalty Fine for fly tipping from £200 to £500. • Creation of a new national online litter hub to provide information, advice and support to community groups and other relevant local organisations on tackling litter and littering behaviour. • Dedicated support for private landowners to help deter and deal with fly tipping affecting their land. Page 13 of 60
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• Increase action to detect and disrupt fly tippers, especially unregistered waste carriers advertising online, such as proactive engagement with online platforms and dedicated SEPA activity to tackle rogue operators. 2.9.5 The measures detailed within the strategy are welcomed but we would still have preferred to see additional measures to combat environmental crime e.g. Fixed Penalty Notices for those businesses who do not have a waste disposal contract. There is no timeline assigned to any of the actions within the strategy and the Council will engage in any consultation presented and will push for as quick adoption as possible and the enhancement of enforcement powers. 2.10 Communication Strategy 2.10.1 A long-term communications strategy has been developed to support the It’s Your Place campaign through education, information, behaviour change and, where necessary, enforcement. The strategy will address issues including litter, dog fouling, fly tipping, graffiti and vandalism, illegal signage, and litter and safety from disposal of vaping products. 2.10.2 There will be a partnership approach to addressing these environmental issues which affect all communities, with agencies such as Keep Scotland Beautiful, Police Scotland, SEPA and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 2.10.3 Key to the campaign will be encouraging residents to take personal responsibility for their behaviour, contributing to keeping the area clean and safe, and developing a sense of civic pride in communities and North Lanarkshire. This will include supporting wider public participation in aligned campaign activity, such as litter picking and community clean ups. 2.10.4 Alongside this will be awareness raising of the consequences of an individual’s actions and the subsequent negative impact on communities, and the penalties for poor behaviour. The campaign will make clear the council’s zero tolerance approach to environmental crime. 2.10.5 The campaign will utilise all communications channels available, including social media, creative content, the council’s web site, local media outlets, advertising and email, and will encourage elected members and partner agencies to share messaging to extend audience reach within local communities. 2.11 Structural Change 2.11.1 On 1st December 2022, the Policy and Strategy Committee approved a governance update to the Council’s One Place One Plan approach which resulted in the majority of the services previously retained within the Environmental Services team (Street Cleaning, Grounds Maintenance, Cemetery Services, Roads Maintenance Operations, Greenspace and Country Parks for the Future) being merged with those within Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions, resulting in the creation of the Community Operations service. 2.11.2 The following six months allowed a review of the overall deployment of these service areas and their line management allocation. The results from this have resulted in the Fleet Service now coming under the line management of a dedicated business manager to allow focus on the decarbonisation of the council fleet and the further work to be undertaken for school transport. Further, Land Services and Waste services will now sit under a single business manager with the expectation that the overlap in Page 14 of 60
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working areas associated with these two services will allow operational efficiencies and improved outcomes. The realignment of Land Services with Waste has allowed the creation of the Roads and Assets Manager who will now provide a focus for the requirements of the new Enterprise Contract to be awarded at the end of the calendar year with commencement in June 2024. 3. Measures of success 3.1 An overall improvement in the quality of the local environment across North Lanarkshire. Andrew McPherson Depute Chief Executive Page 15 of 60
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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? Once further details of new legislation relevant to the Circular Economy Bill and National Litter and Fly Tipping strategy become known, Legal Services will be fully consulted. 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 Page 16 of 60
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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? A number of the actions detailed within the report will reduce in the carbon emissions of the Council. 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? Dedicated Communications Plan now established. 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? Page 17 of 60
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Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 18 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment & Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AM/PB Date 01/11/23 Update Paper - Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints From Andrew McPherson, Depute Chief Executive E-mail McPhersonA@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 280467 Executive Summary Following a motion to full Council of 13/08/2020, it was agreed to record and analyse all reports of rat sightings made to the Council and report the data to the relevant Council committee at regular intervals to help measure the scale and impact of the issue and inform the Council’s approach moving forward. At the full Council budget meeting of 02/03/2021, when the revenue budget was set for the 2021-2022 financial year, an extra £150,000 was awarded to Protective Services to treat defined priority areas experiencing high levels of rat infestation, to address local concerns. As part of the Recover NL funding provided to Services over the financial year 2022/23, it was agreed that there would be a continuation of a free rodent control service delivered by the Council’s Protective Services division. When elected members set the Council budget for the forthcoming year in February 2023, the decision was made to reinstate pest control charges for rodent control services, effective from 01/04/2023; the charge is currently set at £51.60 for private properties with costs for Council properties covered by the tenancy agreement. This report provides a further update on the steps that continue to be taken in respect of the action plan which was devised in order to direct our resources to the areas of most significant concern, co-ordinating our response to the best effect and delivering improvement works. This report follows the last update paper which was submitted to the Environment & Climate Change Committee on 08/02/2023. https://mars.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/egenda/images/att99874.pdf Recommendations It is recommended that Committee: • Support the actions that have and will continue to be undertaken to address identified problem areas. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (14) Ensure the highest standards of public protection Programme of Work Statutory / corporate / service requirement Item 3 Page 19 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 The full Council meeting held on 13/08/2020 agreed a motion to: “Record and analyse all reports of vermin sightings made to the Council and report the data to the relevant Council committee at regular intervals to help measure the scale and impact of the issue and inform the Council’s approach moving forward”. 1.2 The full Council budget meeting held on 02/03/2021 agreed to provide one off annual funding of £150,000 to: “Treat defined [Pest Control] priority areas over the summer period to address local concerns.” 2. Report 2.1 On 10/02/2021, a paper was submitted to the Environment & Transportation Committee on ‘Analysis and Actions Taken Relevant to Rodent Complaints’. That paper noted data on the historical prevalence of rats within North Lanarkshire, tabulating information on rat complaints logged and dealt with by the Service. 2.2 An update position on rat complaints logged and dealt with by the Service is detailed in Table 1 below: Table 1 Financial year Enquiry Response Within 2 Days Rat Sightings but no Treatment** Treatment - Private Property. Treatment – Council Property Total 2020 - 2021 786 1,169 1,955 98 % 131 2021 - 2022 2,230 1,007 3,237 96.2 % 223 2022 – 2023 2,601 1,136 3,737 98.7 % 95 2023 – 2024 to date * 431 846 1,277 81 % * 153 * Latest data compiled on 20/09/2023 (further data input on first response date is pending; performance figures will increase as this data input is completed). **Where rats are sighted but no treatment is possible. 2.3 Throughout the Covid pandemic, several factors combined to contribute to an increase in the number of rat sightings and complaints within the Council area. As a further interim measure to assist in addressing the increase in rat numbers, a temporary suspension of pest control charging for rats and mice was agreed at full Council on 17/06/2021. Following allocation of funding towards the Recover NL programme for financial year 2022/23, this suspension of charging remained in place until 31/03/2023. Charges for rodent services were reinstated from 01/04/2023 with the charge currently set at £51.60. This cost is included within the tenancy agreement for Council tenants. 2.4 From the year-to-date figures above, which represent almost half of the financial year, we can expect that the number of complaints received from private properties may rise Page 20 of 60
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to a total of approximately 930, which is around a two thirds reduction in service requests when compared to the previous financial year. In contrast, the level of enquiry received from Council properties, where the cost of pest control treatment has always been covered by the rental agreement with the tenants so there is no upfront charge, it is estimated that around 1,840 enquiries will be received by the end of the year, which would equate to an increase of about one third. This may be indicative of circumstances whereby private owners or tenants of private rentals, in areas of mixed tenure (i.e. private and Council housing) may be asking for Council tenant neighbours to call in service requests in the hope of avoiding service charges, and that private owners are less inclined to seek pest control services from the Council since the reintroduction of the charges. 2.5 With the assistance of Council colleagues in the GIS team, we continue to record monthly data in respect of rat complaints and then plot this on a geographical basis. Analysis of this information allows the Service to prioritise proactive baiting to address concerns in any part of the Council area, as resources allow. The analysis of this heat map data affords the pest control service the capacity to identify areas where the scale of the problem is deemed greatest. We can also identify the locales within which private owners have either refused pest control services or stated that they are unable to meet the Council’s reinstated rodent control service charge. There were no instances of this recorded for 2022-2023, however in the year to date (reported 20/09/2023) there were 21 instances recorded. 2.6 Since the committee report submitted in February this year, we have continued where possible to collaborate with Housing colleagues to secure the most effective clean ups in areas of identified concern, both in gardens and in the wider public space areas, presenting skips for removal of waste and engaging with the local communities. 2.7 All of the clean ups have been completed, in conjunction with Housing colleagues, in the identified areas across Airdrie and Cumbernauld. This included gardens identified in relation to waste accumulations, cut back of vegetation in identified public spaces, and was coordinated over the first quarter of 2023. A total of 27 skip loads of waste and refuse were removed. 2.8 In March 2023, we also completed cutback and clearance works to remove waste, refuse and debris from Golfhill Road in Wishawhill, and to lay topsoil and turf over the temporary access road currently running through the garden of one of the properties. 2.9 Throughout September 2023, clean up works were undertaken and completed by Housing colleagues in the following areas: • Mossneuk Street and the Netherhouse car park, Kirkshaws; • Viewfield Road, Kirkwood; • Allan Street and Peel Place, Kirkwood; • Beechwood Crescent and Southfield Crescent, Sikeside; and • Berwick Street, Shawhead. 2.10 Further clean up works are planned by Housing colleagues in Wishaw and are due to commence on 1st and 8th November 2023. Recent data has shown an abatement of complaints in the Newmains area. 2.11 Going forward, we will continue to liaise with Housing colleagues in respect of areas for which they have responsibility, helping them to address areas of concern as and when they arise. We will also continue to, as a Service, to organise clean ups where a potential public health nuisance exists in areas where the majority of dwelling homes are in private ownership, as resources allow. Page 21 of 60
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3. Measures of success 3.1 A gradual reduction in rat numbers throughout the Council area leading to an overall improvement in the environment of local communities. 4. Supporting documentation N/A Andrew McPherson Depute Chief Executive Page 22 of 60
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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? Since the reintroduction of service charges for rats and mice jobs for private householders, from 01/04/2023, there exists the risk that some individuals may not be able to pay the charge due to their personal financial circumstances. 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? Additional costs associated with clean-ups will continue to be managed through the use of the temporary Recover NL funding, as staffing resource allows. 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 ☒ Page 23 of 60
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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? The identification of hotspot areas, and their improvement through effective treatments for rodent infestations, will have a positive impact on the local environment and its use by local communities. 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 24 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AMcP/VA/HA Date 01/11/23 Sustainable Futures – Tree Asset Management & Ash Dieback Disease Forward Planning From Andrew McPherson, Depute Chief Executive E-mail Mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Executive Summary Ongoing inspections through the Tree Risk Asset Management Strategy (TRAM) are consolidating our understanding of the risks that are present in the Community Operations’ tree stock and the level of remediation work required to reduce those risks to a tolerable level in line with the strategy. The strategy currently covers trees within council ownership, which are managed and maintained by Community Operations, and council owned trees adjacent to the highway and schools. Other assets not covered include Housing properties e.g. garden grounds of council tenants and some areas of common ground in housing, or sites leased to private businesses. As highlighted in a report to this committee in August 2022, these areas will also have trees with associated risk that continue to remain unmanaged. This report seeks to reduce this discrepancy by extending the scope of the TRAM strategy. The analysis of what requires to be done before implementation is also explained. This update report also seeks to highlight the early findings of desktop analysis carried out through the Ash Dieback Action Plan and explores the options available to continue to tackle the corporate risk that remains, whilst balancing a recovery phase of replanting to mitigate against the change in the landscape and biodiversity and carbon loss of what will be a considerable quantity of trees over the course of the next 5-10 years. The report further sets out the scope for an Operational Woodland Management Plan aiming to reduce the impact of the significant loss of woodland habitat and the affect this will have on the twin climate and biodiversity crises that we currently face. Recommendations It is recommended that Environment and Climate Change Committee: 1) Endorse the Tree Asset Management Strategy being updated to incorporate inspection of all council trees regardless of portfolio managing interest in the timeframe outlined, and note the additional cost burden and staffing requirement this will bring. Item 4 Page 25 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 Since the last report to the Environment & Place Committee in August 2022 and following ongoing data collection and remediation activity programmed through TRAM, service discussions have proposed that all Council tree assets should be being managed in the same way. 1.2 Currently only Community Operations’ trees and those that are within risk zones where failure may impact on roads or educational establishments are being managed through TRAM. This approach leaves the council open to challenge where trees not in the current scope may be posing greater risk to the public than those currently being remediated through programmed work under the TRAM strategy. 1.3 This report therefore outlines how the scope of the current TRAM strategy will be widened to incorporate inspection of all trees in council ownership regardless of portfolio management. 1.4 Additionally, this report highlights the ongoing and mounting costs in continuing to manage the risk associated with Ash Dieback Disease (ADD). Desktop estimates for managing the risk to the A&B road network have been included in this report. Further and more detailed information will be available ahead of contracts being tendered for works to be undertaken in winter. 1.5 If North Lanarkshire Council are found not to have fulfilled the appropriate duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 it could be held liable for injury or damage caused as a result. A failure to mitigate the risks posed by Ash Dieback Disease could result in criminal prosecution caused by a failure to adhere to obligations imposed by Health and Safety Legislation. 2. Report Current tree asset management arrangements (Community Operations) 2.1 Since April 2022 when inspections under the TRAM strategy began, seven council wards have been surveyed and remediation of identified trees has taken place in 4 wards. Remediation was programmed in October 2022 by an external contractor at a cost of £120,935 for 4 wards, with works to be completed before the end of May 2023. However, owing to contractor delivery issues only two wards have been fully remediated under this contract, with commensurate cost adjustments made. This 2) Recognise the ongoing work and significant predicted costs in relation to the Management of Ash Dieback Disease across the area and note the submission of a capital bid associated with this ongoing burden. 3) Endorse the establishment of a Woodland Operational Plan, setting out the intended future management of our woodlands and in addition considering the options / scope for replanting to alleviate detrimental losses to both biodiversity and climate through the programme of ongoing positive asset management. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (17) Ensure we keep our environment clean, safe, and attractive Programme of Work Sustainable Futures Page 26 of 60
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leaves work outstanding in wards 15 and 17 that will require to be completed this autumn. Works in ward 4 are also planned for this winter. 2.2 The reduction in scope by the contractor once they were appointed and with works having commenced, highlights the market pressure on external contractors to undertake works across Scotland. This pressure on resource will only become more strained as contracts are let across all local authorities to remediate large numbers of ash trees across the country. To enable better future control over this issue, upcoming contracts will be put out on a single or maximum of two ward basis, thus allowing smaller contractors to compete to undertake more local contracts. 2.3 Due to the likelihood of continuing contractor limitations the service proposes to increase the inhouse resource to improve resilience. A report will be submitted to workforce change steering group in October to increase the existing establishment by 10 FTE to accommodate an increase in survey and remediation requirement across the service. This establishment will be filled on a temporary or permanent basis depending upon funding awarded. 2.4 Remediation has so far been funded through additional one-off funds received in 2022/23 and a small allocation of annual capital funds in the last capital programme, with £45k for 2023/24. 2.5 Moving to a comprehensive council wide approach to inspections required through the TRAM strategy will result in further work being generated across all tree species, not exclusively Ash. Recent discussions with service contacts have identified that currently many of the trees associated with strategic NLC assets are managed on an ad hoc basis and with no specific budget aligned for their management. Current tree asset management arrangements (other services) 2.6 Tree management across other services is undertaken as a mostly reactive service. There are no defined budgets for tree management across the council therefore the TRAM strategy will need to be delivered by continuing to make charges to other services for remediation works. Services can continue to make use of existing frameworks to deliver remediation identified by TRAM inspections. Constraints to adjustment of TRAM scope and implementation 2.7 Factors that will require to be resolved before implementation of a revised scope of the TRAM strategy include: • Securing an increase to the current arbor establishment to undertake and manage the increased volume of inspections and the added burden of Ash dieback. It is currently anticipated that up to £500,000 per annum will be needed to enable additional inspection and remediation in line with TRAM and delivery of additional external contracts. It is anticipated that there could be challenges in recruitment of skilled operatives as there are a limited number available, who are in high demand. • Securing additional equipment, including vehicles, tools and PPE for new staff plus specialist equipment for managing more complex tree operations. • Completing the planned move to appropriate facilities to house a larger team and additional equipment securely (expected that this will happen in 2024. • Securing a simple mechanism for externally contracting works via an ongoing or new framework requirement, where the volume of work is too great even for an expanded team (or if recruitment challenges occur). This would be possible Page 27 of 60
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through the Enterprise Framework, which is due to come on stream in June 2024, however, a twin track approach is still recommended due to the high market demand on the private sector for arbor works. 2.8 Further to discussions with the Council’s Finance team, a further £1M of one off funding for tree management was allocated during the closure of the Council’s statutory annual accounts in June 2023 to support enabling and pilot works linked to the management of risk associated with the Council’s tree assets. The one-off funding will assist in setting up an initial, temporary increase in staff resource and purchase of equipment and to allow the timely remediation of works in the short term that have been identified through ongoing inspections and are already at risk of falling behind our own TRAM timescales for remediation. However, to continue to deliver medium and long term planning and remediation, a bid will be made to the capital programme. 2.9 With the above constraints set out, it is proposed that changes to tree asset management will not be implemented until after April 2024. Ash Dieback Disease 2.10 A previous report to the Environment & Place committee in August 2022 highlighted the known impacts of Ash Dieback Disease, which have fast become evident within North Lanarkshire as inspections of our tree assets continue. 2.11 The disease will have a significant impact upon the biodiversity of the UK. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee published Report 501 in February 20141 in which it states that there are 1058 different species that are associated with the Ash tree. Whether that be directly (living within the tree) or indirectly (feeding within the habitat that an Ash woodland provides) the importance of the Ash tree to the UK biodiversity should not be underestimated. Remediation against this disease will negatively impact on the twin climate and biodiversity crises that we are currently facing, and it is important therefore that a recovery phase that includes replanting and restocking is planned as a priority to reduce the negative impact legacy. 2.12 Work has progressed on an Ash Dieback Action Plan to begin to tackle the risk that is associated in not remediating these trees appropriately. A tender has been let and surveys are being carried out of the Councils A & B category road network to ascertain the volume of trees likely to require Ash Dieback remediation (and the timescales for delivering that). An initial desktop estimate has been made based on our length of roads and using tree data extrapolated from experience across the UK. This desktop exercise gives an estimate of £10.4M to remediate Ash dieback on our roadside trees. This assumes that 60% of trees fall within our highway boundary and are the responsibility of the council. 2.13 Removal costs for whole trees are based on the Toolkit for Scotland on Ash Dieback management figure of £354 which is two years old and unlikely to reflect current inflationary and market pressures. The data also shows a lot of our trees are on urban unclassified residential roads where removal may be more costly. Further and more detailed analysis of the data is continuing and once complete, the council will fully understand the anticipated impact of ash dieback disease on those classifications of road. However, there will still be significant impacts that have not been forecast through this process, including unclassified class roads and all other trees not associated with the road network, but lying within NLC ownership. 1 A summary of the impacts of ash dieback on UK biodiversity, including the potential for long-term monitoring and further research on management scenarios (jncc.gov.uk) Page 28 of 60
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2.14 The data also suggests that 7% of our surveyed trees are already in the lowest health (class 4) representing a cost of approximately £730K of high priority remediation works that should be undertaken as soon as possible after inspection. 2.15 Trees are expected to take 5 – 10 years to move through the health classes, but this appears to be accelerating. Currently 53% of our trees may be in class 2 so it would be prudent to expect to have to remediate up to £2M per year to keep up with disease progression. Due to constraints noted above it may not be possible to remediate at this pace. 2.16 These numbers only projected figures for roadside trees, which are likely to capture many of our high-risk areas, but additional trees in greenspace settings will increase this remediation cost. 2.17 Remediation of just those trees already inspected and identified for whole tree removal in wards 1,4,15,17,18 & 20 (using the figures from the Toolkit for Scotland on Ash Dieback Management) suggests a further minimum of £193,000 is required to be spent this financial year to keep on target to remediate within agreed TRAM timescales. 2.18 It is possible that we will require to fell in the region of 44,000 trees over the next 50 years. The landscape and amenity loss cannot be underestimated. The Toolkit gives a conservative estimate of £15 per tree for replanting, equating to £653,000 based on the above loss assumptions. However, this figure reflects planting young trees in woodland blocks rather than street trees, which is likely to be a significant underestimate of the required replanting costs. 2.19 Ongoing discussions are now taking place with the Council’s Financial Solutions team to determine how the costs of this essential work can be best managed within the Council’s current medium and long term financial plan. Future Operational Woodland Management Plan 2.20 To ensure future positive management of all NLC woodlands, the service intend to develop an Operational Woodland Management Plan 2024-2034, which will guide us to consider: • Futures sites that offer the best opportunities for tree planting including historic Woodland in and Around Towns (WIAT) sites and areas with other former uses e.g. redundant pitches. • How the current Open Space Strategy and its accompanying audit of sites can assist in appraising for alternative opportunities, which could include space for planting trees. • Undertaking some early site audits of identified spaces over the next 2 years to allow management plans to be drawn up ahead of applications to Forestry Grants being made for additional tree planting. • How any future individual tree and woodland planting aligns with the Council’s commitments to the Clyde Climate Forest Trees, woodlands, and forests provide a range of nature-based solutions to the twin and linked challenges of a changing climate and ecological collapse and the Clyde Climate Forest focuses on: Page 29 of 60
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Urban trees – providing urban cooling in heatwaves, and surface water management for cloudbursts, whilst also providing some carbon storage and wildlife habitat; Native woodlands – providing essential ecosystem services and habitat for associated species and, when part of a wider network, allow those species to migrate as the climate changes Plantation forests – effective carbon sinks, can provide upstream natural flood management, provide construction timber to substitute for high emission steel and concrete and provide wildlife habitats. • Consideration of long term deer management in NLC as this poses a significant impact on tree establishment. • Important links to the actions contained in the North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plan • Consideration of how the Carbon Credit scheme can assist in providing North Lanarkshire with a future insetting capability through carbon sequestration realised through planting native woodlands. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Increase in the number of trees inspected in line with the Tree Asset Management Strategy and a consistent approach across the authority’s assets. 3.2 An increase in the number of trees remediated following inspection to reduce their risk of failure. 3.3 Early delivery of an Ash Dieback Action Plan to guide the significant resource planning required to respond to Ash Die Back disease. 3.4 Delivery of an operational woodland plan to provide a future vision of replenishment planting (following large scale felling though TRAM and Ash Dieback work) and wider planting schemes to assist with carbon reduction and improvements to biodiversity across North Lanarkshire. 4. Supporting documentation none Andrew McPherson Depute Chief Executive Page 30 of 60
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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? During the closure of the Council’s statutory annual accounts in June 2023, and in keeping with the Council’s Reserves Policy to create earmarked reserves to support a known or predicted liability, the Chief Officer (Finance) approved the allocation of one-off resources of £1m. The financial risk of Ash die back has been highlighted in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan and the planning for longer-term remediation remains a matter for ongoing discussion between Community Operations and Finance. 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? Proposed structure to enhance the internal delivery resource have been discussed with HR Business partners. Job redesign and restructure will be considered and agreed by WCSG to ensure the appropriate range of skills can be recruited. 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? The proposed approach will enable us to reasonably comply with Health & Safety legislation and manage our tree assets appropriately. 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 31 of 60
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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? 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? Negative carbon storage impact as carbon held in trees will be lost when diseased trees are cut down. However, plans are being put in place to address this loss through replanting over time via the Recovery Phase of the Ash Dieback Action Plan and longer term planting considered through the Operational Woodland Management Plan. 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? Ash Dieback Disease Communication Strategy in place to update as further ward remediation of trees progresses. It is likely that public concern will grow as ash dieback disease becomes more evident. 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? Ash Dieback Disease is recorded and managed as a service risk. 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. Page 32 of 60
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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 33 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AM/VA/HA Date 01/11/23 Using Greenspace to Improve Health, Wellbeing and Social Outcomes From Andrew McPherson, Depute Chief Executive E-mail mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Executive Summary This report highlights the work undertaken in the last 12 months to improve health and wellbeing through activity in Greenspaces. Using Scottish Government Nature Recovery and Smarter Choices Smarter Places funding together with one off funds awarded to improve sustainability in parks the Greenspace and Country parks teams continue to deliver more accessible, more biodiverse spaces for the residents of North Lanarkshire and beyond to enjoy. This report also outlines work that has been achieved through additional temporary staff resource including enhancing the biodiversity of sites and large scale public engagement projects. Detail is also provided on upcoming projects to enhance the local greenspaces of North Lanarkshire. Recommendations It is recommended that Environment and Climate Change committee: 1) Acknowledge the continued significant effort being made on delivering on the Sustainable Futures Programme of Work, particularly through developing nature based adaptations. 2) Recognise the planned investment this year across a further range of activities and project opportunities including reviewing the core paths plan (enabling changing behaviours around active travel) together with the delivery of further enhancement projects contributing towards tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through investing in our vital greenspaces. 3) Recognise the impact that these positive interventions can have on addressing inequalities in accessing greenspace. 4) Endorse the allotment figures for 2023/24 as set out being reported to Scottish Government under requirements of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (16) Transform our natural environment to support wellbeing and inward investment and enhance it for current and future generations Programme of Work Sustainable Futures Item 5 Page 35 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 The Community Greenspace team have for many years been proactive and extremely effective at securing external funding to enhance delivery of important projects in our local greenspaces. 1.2 Work continues to facilitate participation in activities in local greenspaces that help to reduce the burden on NHS services. The Defining a ‘dose’ of nature research shows that 120mins in nature per week is the critical threshold for health & wellbeing gains. Wild Ways Well is a National Lottery Heritage Funded programme, delivered by TCV as part of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape partnership. The project aims to get people suffering from, or at risk of, poor mental health out into the greenspaces of Cumbernauld. Whilst out amongst the trees, parks and reserves participants get a chance to slow down, relax, enjoy being in the company of other like-minded people, and participate in a variety of environmental and conservation related activities designed to fit in with the Five Ways to Wellbeing. 1.3 Local recent consultations on Open Space and use of local greenspaces have highlighted the importance of protecting and enhancing these local assets that people value in their everyday lives as being important places to relax, unwind and improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. 1.4 This report provides a brief overview of how funding secured both internally and externally has been used to deliver towards priorities in the Sustainable Futures programme of work. 2. Report Investment in Local Nature Reserves 2.1 Dumbreck Local Nature Reserve received £227,511 of National Lottery Heritage funding earlier this year. This has facilitated the appointment of a Dumbreck and Garrell Project Officer. This new post will encourage positive use of the Local Nature Reserve through events, educational opportunities, on site enhancement projects, and skills development. New signage and interpretation will be developed for the site to facilitate better linkages to wider path networks (including strategic long-distance routes) and Kilsyth town centre, as well as the wide ranging cultural and natural heritage of the site. 2.2 This post complements the river restoration works completed on the Garrell Burn in 2021. The restored river section has been functioning well, with the wetland being recharged with water as anticipated as natural flooding occurs over the floodplain area. 2.3 At Frankfield Loch work is underway to designate the area as a Local Nature Reserve following the transfer of land as part of an agreement with the developer, this designation will be taken forward in conjunction with Glasgow City Council. Cumbernauld Living Landscapes 2.4 2023 was the final year of a 5 year Heritage Lottery funded project of which the council was a key partner. The Community Greenspace team led on several projects over the last year including: Page 36 of 60
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Peatland Restoration 2.5 This project re-wet Abronhill, Broadwood and Sparrow bogs by removing scrub encroachment and blocking historical drainage to retain water. The three urban peat bogs in Cumbernauld are unique and there are few places where this important habitat and carbon store is so close to people’s homes. This project was in part funded by the NatureScot Peatland Action Fund. 2.6 The project has led to 5.5 ha of raised bog being restored, bringing peat-forming vegetation across the bog surface and increasing the abundance and diversity of bog- mosses. This work contributes to carbon capture targets and helps to alleviate local flooding issues. Through the involvement of volunteers, there is an improved understanding of the importance of peatlands amongst people living in the Cumbernauld area. A further benefit is the reduced fire risk owing to generally wetter conditions. Mosswater Local Nature Reserve 2.7 Biodiversity improvement works completed at the LNR included, tree planting, wildflower planting, installation of bird and bat boxes, removal of tree shelters, removal of litter and fly tipping, removal of old fencing and barbed wire and path clearance. Access Improvements 2.8 Improvements to enable improved public access in and around four sites across Cumbernauld. Works included upgrading and improving path surfaces and drainage within Palacerigg Country Park; improvements to path surfacing at Broadwood Loch (including resurfacing throughout the woodland path network, which was previously impassable in wet conditions); construction of a pedestrian island crossing to enable a connection from Cumbernauld Park & Ride into the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve, Luggiebank Woods and further into key greenspace sites and also improvements to access into Cumbernauld Community Park. 2.9 An application is being made for a second phase of this successful project to the December meeting of the National Lottery Heritage Fund Board and an update will be brought to committee if this application is successful. Countryside Ranger Service 2.10 The Countryside Ranger Service are continuing their education provision with a number of local schools and colleges across North Lanarkshire. New core objectives linking directly to priorities set out in the Plan for North Lanarkshire around enhancing participation, capacity and empowerment across our communities have been implemented: • To encourage the use of communities’ local Greenspaces and a sense of value and respect for nature. • To provide a safe, risk assessed outdoor education experience. • To consider sustainability of the spaces we use for outdoor education to ensure no detriment to local species and habitats. • To encourage, educate and enable others to take forward positive actions for biodiversity through developing skills, and sign posting other opportunities. 2.11 The Greenhead Moss Conservation Group and Palacerigg Country Park Conservation Volunteers are supported by the Countryside Rangers. Local volunteers meet to share hands-on experience through a variety of tasks designed to improve access and enhance the biodiversity of their local greenspace. The 7 Lochs Volunteers, in partnership with TCV are regularly involved with conservation activities in Drumpellier Country Park and the 7 Lochs catchment area. Page 37 of 60
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Open Space Ranger team 2.12 Our temporary Open Space Rangers are undertaking open and play space assessments of over 1000 spaces. This audit forms a fundamental part of the Open Space Strategy, providing an accurate indication of the quality of the spaces in North Lanarkshire. Audits include scores for: • Accessible & connected • Place quality • Care and maintenance • Use & activity • Safety • Biodiversity (considering ecological networks) • Play Branching Out 2.13 In partnership with NHS Lanarkshire and Scottish Forestry we have resumed delivery of our Branching Out programme, with 5 programmes being delivered between March 2023 and April 2024 across our 3 Country Parks. Clients with mental health or addiction issues attend sessions over a 10 week period working in groups with our specially trained Countryside Ranger Service to gain confidence and learn skills in traditional wood craft and bush craft, working towards securing a John Muir Award. Nature Restoration Fund 2.14 In 2022/23 we received this funding (£274k) as a part of the Scottish Government’s investment in Scotland’s natural environment. These funds support projects that will help to deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change, the funding was used for the following projects: Pond restoration 2.15 Ponds are rich habitats for wildlife, in particular amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts, and also dragonflies and damselflies. Nature Restoration Funding has been used to enhance local ponds in the following locations for wildlife: • Greenhead Moss, Wishaw • Riccard Johnston in Motherwell • Strathclyde Country Park in Motherwell • St Maurice’s Pond in Cumbernauld • Colzium pond in Kilsyth Town Park meadows 2.16 The UK has lost over 97% of its native flower-rich meadows and grasslands in the past century. Meadows perform a range of functions. They are great for wildlife and biodiversity providing food and homes for invertebrates, mammals, bats and birds. Flower- rich meadows are excellent for pollinators. Meadows also store carbon. Research suggests that a flower rich meadow can store 30% more carbon than a flower-less meadow. They are good for our wellbeing, just looking at a diverse meadow has been shown to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. In North Lanarkshire we have several well established wildflower meadows in some of our greenspaces including Dalzell Estate, Greenhead Moss, and St Maurice’s. Page 38 of 60
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2.17 After consultation with communities last year 8 Town Parks Biodiversity Meadows will be established in autumn this year at the following locations: Burngreen, Kilsyth, Centenary Park, Airdrie, Glenboig Park, Glenboig, West End Park, Coatbridge, Central Park, Airdrie, Belhaven Park, Wishaw, Duchess Park, Motherwell, Dalzell Estate, Motherwell. Participatory Budgeting 2.18 Residents were invited to suggest projects that would improve, enhance, restore, or increase wildlife habitats and greenspaces to help local environments become more resilient to climate change, as well as creating more sustainable areas for local people to enjoy. We received 34 project ideas and over 1,400 votes were received through the public vote. The following projects were delivered during 2023. Newarthill Woods • Native wildflowers planting with help from pupils from Newarthill Primary School • Improvements to pond and planting of aquatic plants • Tree planting Gartcosh • Native wildflower planting with help from pupils from Gartcosh Primary School • Replaced old bat and bird boxes and installed additional boxes on site Dalzell Estate • Native wildflower planting with help from pupils from Muirhouse Primary School • Created a woodland trail for our younger children with ‘spotter signs’ of some animals and plants that live in the woods • Installation of new bird and bat boxes Hillrigg Allotments • Small tree planting • Regeneration of pond and planting of aquatic plants • Created bug hotels • Introduced earthworms to the allotment plots Native Wildflower Planting across NL 2.19 Selected small areas in Chryston, Caldercruix, Dykehead & Allanton to plant wildflowers linked to project ideas suggested as part of the PB process. We had several suggestions that didn’t provide specific locations but wanted wildflowers in their local area. A small number of sites were chosen and will be planted with native wildflower during autumn. 2.20 As in the instance of Mega flora and Town Park meadow projects, we will continue to work with Communities to inform at each step of the process and adjust where deemed necessary. There will be particular attention at the end of flowering and seed dispersal to ensure that the withered wildflowers are cut at the soonest opportunity to prevent any negative local impact and ensure continued support for the projects. Invasive non-native species management (INNS) 2.21 Invasive non-native species occupy and dominate habitats where they were not previously part of the flora or fauna, their success often causes local eradication of native species. Globally, INNS have contributed to 40% of the animal extinctions that have occurred in the last 400 years (CBD, 2006). Many countries including Scotland are now facing complex and costly problems associated with invasive species. 2.22 The Dumbreck and Garrell river restoration included significant work to control invasive species so that the ground works did not allow the spread of invasive species over this Page 39 of 60
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heavily infested area. To add value to this considerable effort, Nature Restoration Funding was used to survey and start control of invasives in the Kilsyth catchment area, starting in the Kilsyth hills. Four Local Nature Reserves were also targeted: Greenhead Moss, Mosswater, Kingshill, and Brownsburn. The surveys took place in summer 2022. 2.23 The aim of the survey is to build a comprehensive picture of invasive species within these areas and where possible determine the source of these species. This information is now being used to control and target these species to minimise their spread. The project has focused on Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica); however other notable invasive species were also recorded, as were other non native plant species, these will be managed where required. Capital funding for Nature Networks 2.24 In June 2023, we received a further £556k capital funding for Nature Networks. Local Authorities are guided to use the Nature Networks Framework, along with supporting information in their allocation of this money. Using this Scottish Government funding we are looking at the feasibility of establishing biodiversity meadows in some of our cemeteries. The establishment and maintenance of these native meadows takes forward several of the actions in North Lanarkshire’s Biodiversity Action Plan: North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2.25 The funding will also allow us to take forward important habitat restoration and enhancements in our 9 Local Nature Reserves: Directory records | North Lanarkshire Council , and continue the invasive species management work. 2.26 Other projects being implemented are: • A nature connector project at Drumpellier Country Park • Water vole habitat surveys and improvements • Contribution to data gathering on nature network ‘gaps’ in partnership with Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Trust to enable forward planning for future projects. Community Food Growing 2.27 Under the requirements of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, the council is required to report to Scottish Government on Council owned allotment sites. The information below sets out the position that will be reported at the end of this financial year. 2.28 There are 12 allotment sites operating on council-owned land. Food growing occurs on traditional allotment plots (of various sizes), raised beds and within polytunnels. The overall running and management of each site is carried out by an allotment group or local community group. The group handle all the administration for the site including allocating plots, maintaining a waiting list, and collecting annual fees from plot holders. Allotments site details including waiting list information as of July 2023 are shown in Table 1 Table1 Allotment Name Location No of Growing Spaces Waiting list numbers Airdriehead Allotments Community Park, near St. Andrew's Primary School, Carrickstone, Cumbernauld, G68 0EB 13 small / 17 medium / 9 large plots 121 on waiting list Page 40 of 60
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Chapelhall Allotments 6 Kennelburn Road, Chapelhall, Airdrie, ML6 8TG 40 plots 14 on waiting list Craigneuk & Old Petersburn Road Allotments, Willow Drive, Airdrie, ML6 8AN 19 plots / 8 raised beds 6 on waiting list Cumbernauld Allotments Near Wilderness Brae, Cumbernauld, G67 2QY 24 plots 26 on waiting list Forgewood Allotments Fife Drive, Forgewood, Motherwell. ML1 3UT 42 plots 4 on waiting list Hillrigg Allotments Greengairs / Wattston, near Airdrie, ML6 7TB 19 plots 17 on waiting list Kirkleeroad Allotments Kirklee Road, Bellshill, ML4 2RU 21 plots / 8 raised beds / 28 growing spaces available in polytunnels 13 on waiting list Langriggs Allotments 87/91 Main Street, Cumbernauld Village, G67 2RY 15 plots & additional growing spaces available soon due to site expansion 12 on waiting list Viewpark Gardens Allotments Bairds Ave, Viewpark, G71 6HG 24 plots / 8 raised beds 8 on waiting list Whinhall Allotments (2 sites) Aitchison Street, Airdrie, ML6 0DB & Park Street, Airdrie, ML6 0ES 9 plots / 9 plots No waiting list for either site Plains Community & School Allotments Ballochnie Drive, Plains, ML6 7NE 24 plots 1 on waiting list 2.29 The information contained above enables us to work with communities where the greatest demand is shown. Recent discussions have been taking place with local groups who are investigating the potential to establish spaces to grow your own and the Community Greenspace Manager has been liaising with them and explaining the internal process for declaring land surplus before any land can be changed to form an allotment. Information on potential funding routes are also promoted to local groups. Food Growing Strategy 2.30 The Council’s Food Growing Strategy will be reviewed during 2024 and a further report will be brought to this committee in due course detailing proposals for the revised strategy. Smarter Choices Smarter Places 2.31 Projects being part funded through the present year’s funding allocation from Transport Scotland (£213k) are: • Cycling Activation (part 2) - building on the success of the 2022/23 activation programme at the new Bellshill Gateway cycle facilities we will be co-ordinating training and activities related to encouraging a greater uptake of cycling. The focus this year will be on mental wellbeing as well as physical wellbeing / active travel. • Continuing the very successful Get Walking Lanarkshire Health Programme, which currently offers 34 weekly health walks across Lanarkshire Page 41 of 60
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(including Dementia-friendly health walks); has 100+ trained walk leaders available to lead walks and reports 2425 individual weekly walkers. • Review and revision of the Local Transport Strategy. • E-Bikes in the Park project - The e-bikes provide an alternative mode of bike to our existing bike fleet and will increase the number of people able to cycle. A second linked project is the purchase of new side by side bikes for use at Drumpellier Country Park. These provide an alternative bike option for people with disabilities, both physical and mental and give everyone an opportunity to experience cycling. • Core path development - A consultant will be contracted and will carry out mapping of local routes onto NLC GIS system, engage with stakeholders and other community groups and co-ordinate communication and data exchange in line with the council's core paths plan review. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Increased numbers of people accessing wellbeing activities in parks (including Get Walking Lanarkshire, Branching Out, Greenspace Diary activities). 3.2 Continued success in drawing in external funding to support greenspace projects in country parks and open spaces. 3.3 Increased positive public perception of the green and open spaces in North Lanarkshire. Andrew McPherson Depute Chief Executive Page 42 of 60
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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 43 of 60
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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? Positive impact of peat and meadow and other habitat and species restoration noted in the main report. 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 44 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AMcP/JA Date 01/11/23 Amey Public Services LLP: Operational Performance Monitoring Report for 01 April 2023 to 31 October 2023, Financial performance at 31 July 2023 From Andrew McPherson, Chief Officer (Community Operations) E-mail mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 280467 Executive Summary This report outlines Amey Public Services (APS) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) performance against its’ business objectives and council priorities for the period October April 2023 to October 2023 and its’ financial performance to July 2023 Recommendations It is recommended that the Environment and Climate Change Committee: (1) Acknowledge APS LLP’s operational performance up to 31 October 2023, along with service delivery highlights over the past 6 months. (2) Acknowledge APS LLP’s financial performance at 31 July 2023. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (17) Ensure we keep our environment clean, safe, and attractive Item 6 Page 45 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 The council created the roads, street lighting and winter maintenance services LLP in 2010, following a tender exercise for a strategic partner to deliver such services over a ten-year period. The successful bidders were Amey Local Government Limited and the contract commenced on 14 December 2010. Amey LG Ltd (now Amey Public Services LLP) owns a 67% shareholding in the strategic partnership with the council owning the remaining 33%. 1.2 A Management Committee consisting of representatives from both APS and North Lanarkshire Council is responsible for the LLP’s governance, which includes operational delivery and management, staffing, financial control and reporting, health and safety, performance monitoring and risk management. The Management Committee meets quarterly, with council representation consisting of one senior officer and one Elected Member, and APS LLP membership comprising up to four representatives. 1.3 As per the Works Agreement, service reviews required to be carried out jointly at year 4 and 8 of the strategic partnership. The former Planning and Transportation Committee considered the findings of the Year 4 review and approved the requirement for the council to continue working with APS LLP to identify opportunities for the business to establish a stable financial position. 1.4 The Year 8 review commenced in July 2018 with the outcome initially reported to the former Infrastructure Committee in November 2018, but then carried forward to former Policy and Resources Committee in December 2018. The review recommended that the then Head of Environmental Assets conduct a market testing exercise to identify whether amending some of the existing contract rates and prices for a term beyond June 2021 will be more beneficial to the council than ceasing the contract at its natural termination date. 1.5 The results of the market testing demonstrated that amending APS LLP rates provided value for money and recommended that the contract be extended for a period up to June 2024. The extension to the contract was reported to and approved by the former Environment and Transportation Committee in August 2019. 2. Report 2.1 This report confirms where Amey Public Services LLP are fulfilling its contractual obligations and meeting the council’s service delivery expectations, as well as providing information from Financial Solutions on financial performance and overall financial standing within the company. This information will help give early warning of any financial risks which may give rise to operational or reputational risks for the council. Performance Indicators 2.2 Operational and financial performance is reported to this Committee after it has been considered by the Amey Management Committee. This provides Management Committee representatives with the opportunity to address any issues which require attention and thereafter, allows this Committee to receive the updated position, including any remedial actions where these may be required. 2.3 The outcomes from the 2022-23 and the forecast for 2023-24 performance indicators are detailed within appendix 1. Page 46 of 60
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Overview of Governance Arrangements 2.4 APS LLP satisfies the council’s required oversight arrangements, and routinely submits the monitoring information expected by council officers in line with the timeframes specified within the LLP Agreement. Comments, Compliments and Complaints 2.5 During this reporting period APS received 0 compliments. 2.6 During this period APS received 1 complaint relating site housekeeping at Spruce Road in Cumbernauld. Service Delivery Highlights 2.7 The following service delivery highlights were achieved during this period:- • APS maintained its excellent H&S record over the period with 1 RIDDORS, 0 Lost time injuries and 3 Non-Lost Time Injuries in 2023 Year to date. • Commenced the 2023/24 resurfacing programme. • Continued with the construction of the Newhouse to Salsburgh Active Travel route and currently installing street lighting along the length of the route. • Continued with the cyclic gully cleaning programme which is in the second cycle focusing those roads on the primary gritting routes. • Continued with the LED replacement programme on main roads and residential roads, with 35,467 residential and footpath light replacements, and 7,687 main road lanterns installed since the start of the programme. • Undertook the winter service delivery programme • Commenced junction improvements at Carlisle Road/ Petersburn Road/ Brownsburn Road. • Completed junction improvement and footway widening at Paddock Street/ Sikeside Street providing improved access to the new Riverbank Community Hub. • Commenced footway widening and traffic signal refurbishment work at A721 New Edinburgh Road, Uddingston. 2.8 APS staff have also undertaken several activities in support of the local and wider community: • Hosted a challenge cup aimed at girls aged 13-15 who have an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) . Our Lady’s High School, Motherwell, Cumbernauld Academy and St. Maurice’s High School, Cumbernauld participated in the event. • Supported Glenboig Community Garden by installing surfaced footpaths within the garden, improving access to raised beds, seating areas, poly tunnels etc. • Hosted a summer fun day at Hamilton Park Racecourse. Supporting three charity partners including CHAS (Childrens Hospices Across Scotland), The Beatson Cancer Charity and The Baby Loss Retreat. The event raised £1,715 which was split equally across the charities. • Hosted a journey to work event in Bellshill YMCA. (February 2023, between reporting periods) Page 47 of 60
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• Hosted a number of pupils from Our Lady High School, Motherwell interested in pursuing a degree apprenticeship in engineering, which included a weeks work experience. Business Development 2.9 A key aim of the contract is to encourage business development. During this period APS were successful in the following: • Ongoing contracts with East Renfrewshire Council for Street Lighting Maintenance. The contract is programmed to the end of June 2024. • Continued to work both with other Amey Scottish Highways contracts and other Amey Business Units, in particular Secure Infrastructure, on further opportunities for third party works (civils works, schools’ maintenance and street lighting maintenance). Financial Impact Public Accountability Obligations – Financial year 2023/24 2.10 To satisfy the Council’s duty to ensure the organisation delivering roads, street lighting and winter services on its behalf is financially sound, the Council’s Section 95 Officer maintains appropriate and proportionate processes and procedures for scrutinising APS LLP’s financial performance. 2.11 The Council’s Legal Agreements with APS LLP specify the financial information which must submit to the Council including an annual business plan, monthly management accounts, audited financial statements etc., to enable Financial Solutions to assess and report any financial risk likely to arise as a result of the Council using APS LLP to deliver these services. 2.12 The Council expends both revenue and capital resources annually with APS LLP to deliver services which assist the Council in achieving its priority outcomes. For the Councils financial year 2023-24, sums of £12.504m and £11.379m were budgeted in respect of revenue and capital respectively for roads and lighting maintenance. APS operates a financial year ending 31 December 2023 and revises its forecast twice throughout the year. Based on APS Original forecast, works from the Council represent around 78.64% of annual anticipated net turnover. Financial Performance as at 31st July 2023 2.13 Based on their financial statements to 31st July 2023, members will wish to note the LLP is reporting a provisional annual accounting profit of £0.232m, which is a £0.047m adverse variance to the budgeted forecast profit of £0.279m, primarily due to increased volume of capital works and winter maintenance resulting in higher than anticipated employee, materials and plant and vehicle costs. Appendix 2 provides further details regarding the LLP’s financial position as well as commentary to explain the key variances reported. 2.14 Although the contract provides scope for the Council to receive dividends from this partnership agreement, the cumulative negative trading position evidenced in the balance sheet means the LLP has not yet had an opportunity to declare any dividends. Page 48 of 60
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2.15 In return for satisfactory service delivery and effective financial performance through the LLP, Amey Local Government Limited is entitled to receive a management fee which comprises both fixed and variable elements and is partially linked to level of works delivered through the contract. However, the payment of the management fee is dependent upon generation of cumulative profits and given the LLP currently has cumulative net liabilities, the management committee has agreed that no management fee is payable for 2023. Overall Financial Standing – Balance Sheet as at 31st July 2023 2.16 Appendix 3 provides key balances to give members an update on the overall financial standing of the company, as at 31st July 2023, along with the previous year’s comparator figures. Key balances and indicators worthy of specific note include: a) The company has cumulative net liabilities of £6.875m predominately as a result of the reliance on the approved parent loan and timing of payroll transactions between the group. This is an adverse movement on the previous year position of £1.250m. b) The LLP has a long-term liabilities balance of £7.739m, which predominantly reflects the parent loan of £6.249m and timing of payroll transactions between the group of £1.299m which are provided by the parent company Amey LG to enable the LLP to continue delivering services. Currently, there are no expectations that any additional loan support will be required by the parent company. In recognising the LLP is largely dependent upon the support received from the parent company, officers from Finance regularly obtain assurances from the LLP and Amey LG regarding their continued loan support. c) A comparison of the LLP’s current assets to its current liabilities equates to a net current asset of £0.863m. Members should be assured that the company has sufficient resources to meet its current obligations, however it should be noted that the company continues to rely heavily on the approved parent loan as detailed in above. d) Contrary to the instruction by One Equity Partners (OEP) in December 2022, the clearance of all subsidiary bank accounts each month end is no longer being actioned. This has resulted in cash balances of £1.372m. Members are advised that these balances require to be closely monitored to ensure the LLP can meet its obligations (eg salaries, creditors etc). 3. Measures of success 3.1 These reports are intended to give Members an insight into how the LLP is performing and where it is supporting delivery or adding value to the council’s priorities. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 The following appendices support this report:- Appendix 1 Performance Indicators & Outcomes Appendix 2 Financial Performance as at 31 July 2023 Page 49 of 60
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Appendix 3 Overall Financial Standing – Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2023 Andrew McPherson Chief Officer (Community Operations) Page 50 of 60
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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 ☒ Page 51 of 60
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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 52 of 60
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Appendix 1 Performance Service Area Target Outcome/Purpose 2022/23 Actual 2023/24 Target 2023/24 Actual Comments Improve economic opportunities and outcomes OBJECTIVE: Improve infrastructure to help current and incoming businesses to grow and create employment, help current and incoming businesses to grow and create employment Street Lighting Activities To enable vulnerable people to feel safe in their local area 96.5% 95% 97.36 This performance target includes measures related to: Works Outstanding, Works Quality, Dispute Resolution, Dark Street Lamps & Works Registration Compliance (SRWR). Roads Works Activities Contribute to the long-term economic sustainability of North Lanarkshire 88.17% 95% 92.48 This performance target includes measures related to: Works Outstanding, Works Quality, Dispute Resolution & Road Works Registration Compliance (SRWR). General Performance Contribute to the long-term economic sustainability of North Lanarkshire 94.26% 95% TBC This performance target includes: Reinstatement Compliance, Remedial Works Compliance, Prompt Payment to Suppliers, Public Complaints & Health and Safety Compliance. Street Lighting Activities – Performance has remained like previous year and exceeds the minimum target of 95%. Road Works Activities and General Performance – Performance has dropped recently and is below the target of 95% however this does not pose any real concerns and we continue to work with APS to meet the set targets. General Performance – Performance has improved and is slightly below the target of 95% however this does not pose any real concerns and we continue to work with APS to meet the set targets. The values shown under 2023/24 represent the current quarter figures, the general performance is only run once per annum and as so no data is available. Page 53 of 60
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Appendix 2 Financial Performance as at 31 July 2023 2023 2023 Year to Date 2022 Annual Forecast Forecast Actual Variance Provisional Outturn £m £m £m £m £m Income from NLC 14.016 8.107 11.666 3.559 19.105 Revenue & capital funding Strategy WIP (net of provision) 1.973 1.151 0.263 (0.888) 1.024 Write down strategy to 2024 Other 3rd party income 1.833 1.069 0.482 (0.587) 0.926 Other clients inc. other local authorities Total Income 17.822 10.327 12.411 2.084 21.056 Increased income due to capital works delivered and winter maintenance. Expenditure; Employee costs (5.166) (2.972) (4.581) (1.609) (6.889) Sub-contractor costs (1.232) (0.719) (1.831) (1.112) (3.157) Materials (4.937) (2.900) (3.058) (0.158) (5.552) Plant & Vehicle costs (5.152) (2.984) (2.200) 0.784 (4.220) Property, Communications & Other (0.812) (0.474) (0.510) (0.037) (0.763) Increased costs within extenal rents, IT and communications are offset by underspends predominately within rates and utilities. Total resources expended (17.300) (10.049) (12.180) (2.131) (20.581) Trading profit/(loss) 0.522 0.279 0.232 (0.047) 0.475 Amey Public Services LLP Income & expenditure Increased Employee, Sub-Contractor, Materials and Plant & Vehicle costs to support the increase volume of capital works and winter maintenance programme in quarter 1. Commentary Page 54 of 60
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Appendix 3 Amey Public Services LLP Overall Financial Standing - Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2023 Balances/ Indicator 2023 YTD Actual Commentary 2022 Dec 2023 Movement £m £m £m Stock 0.735 Primarily stock for increased capital works and salt 0.399 0.336 Trade Debtors 0.581 Predominately inter-company balances 0.085 0.496 Accrued Debtors inc. prepayments 1.575 Predominantly work in progress, prepayments and inter-company balances 2.650 (1.075) Trade Creditors (1.088) Material balance which Amey aim to pay within agreed terms of 60 days (0.456) (0.632) Other Creditors inc. VAT & other taxes (2.312) Accruals and inter-company balances (0.947) (1.365) Cash/ Bank 1.372 Predominantly due to cash in transit payments (0.132) 1.505 Net Current Assets/ (Liabilities) 0.863 1.599 (0.736) Long term Loans (7.739) Predominantly parent company loan of £6.249m and payroll costs to group of £1.299m. (7.225) (0.514) Net Asset / (Liabilities) (6.875) (5.625) (1.250) Page 55 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref Date 17/11/23 Contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold From James McKinstry - Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) E-mail McKinstryJ@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 281 102 1. Background 1.1 The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 require local authorities to make standing orders with respect to the making of contracts for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works. 1.2 The Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (“GCSOs”) set out the council’s specific procurement procedures and responsibilities at all spend levels, and include the reporting requirements of procurement activity, including contracts awards, to committee for either approval or acknowledgement. Executive Summary In accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (“GCSOs”), GSCO 21.10 requires a summary report be presented to members with details of contracts awarded since last committee, specifically for the spend range: • over £50,000 but below £500,000 for supplies or services; and, • over £500,000 but below £2,000,000 for works. Recommendations It is recommended that the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee: (1) Acknowledge the contract awards made since last committee reporting cycle. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Statutory / corporate / service requirement Item 7 Page 57 of 60
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2. Report 2.1 In accordance with GSCO 21.10, this report summarises the contract awards since last committee, specifically for the spend range: • over £50,000 but below £500,000 for supplies or services; and, • over £500,000 but below £2,000,000 for works. 2.2 If you require further information regards the contract awards reported, please refer to the lead service area / chief officer detailed in the appendix. 3. Measures of success 3.1 All requirements contracted contribute to either the council’s programme of work and/or fulfil a statutory requirement. 3.2 All contract awards secure best value for the council in accordance with their evaluation criteria. 3.3 All necessary diligence has been undertaken in the evaluation and appointment of contractors. 3.4 All contract awards are logged in the council’s contract register. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – Summary of contracts awarded. James McKinstry Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) 5. Impacts 5.1 Impacts considered as part of the contract award procedures are recorded in the individual contract award reports held by the lead service area. Page 58 of 60
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Appendix 1 – Summary of Contracts Awarded Contract Ref NLC-SLP-23-069 Title Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South- pre-works site security Classification Services - Standard Lead Service Area / Chief Officer Place / Pamela Humphries Competition Governance by Value Lower Threshold Regulations Procurement Route Framework Call-off, Direct Award No. of Framework Contractors 14 No. of Bids Received 1 Award Criteria Framework, Best Value Assessment Evaluation Scores Successful *Not applicable Others *Not applicable Comments *No further evaluation scores recorded; Contractor awarded is ranked 1st on the Framework Award Details Value £145,000 Contract Duration 13 months Contractor Name Securigroup Limited Contractor Size Large Contractor Location Glasgow Status - Payment of Living Wage? Yes Status - Living Wage Accredited? No Impacts this section highlights which impacts were considered for this contract award procedure Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty ☒ HR Policy Impact ☐ Data Protection Impact ☐ Environment / Carbon Impact ☐ Risk Impact ☒ Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact ☐ Financial Impact ☒ Legal Impact ☐ Technology / Digital Impact ☐ Communications Impact ☐ Armed Forces Covenant Duty ☐ Further details regarding these impacts can be obtained from the Lead Service Area / Chief Officer Page 59 of 60
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