Service Update Report
Renfrewshire Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 28 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 28 August 2024 Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Heading: Service Update Report 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an overview of key service activities since the last Policy Board report on 28 May 2024 and an update on the services and key projects delivered during this period. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the content of this report, and 2.2 Note the progress made in implementing Renfrewshire Carking Strategy and instructs officers to develop the reduced fee season pass arrangements as part of the 2024 – 2029 Car Parking Strategy implementation as per paragraphs 6.5.4 and 6.5.5 below. 3. Background 3.1 Environment, Housing & Infrastructure provides essential services to every household in Renfrewshire and works in partnership with the local community, other service areas and Community Planning Partners, to deliver key Council priorities and initiatives. A progress update on the main activities delivered by the services in respect of the areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, is detailed below. Updates for Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board 4. Climate Change 4.1 Energy Management Energy Efficiency Fund 4.1.1 Work is ongoing between the Energy Team and Finance with a view to securing funding to be used towards increasing the energy efficiency of our Public Buildings. The technologies being investigated as part of a business case include boiler control upgrades, LED installations and installation of additional Solar Photovoltaic panels.
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4.1.2 Work is currently underway to reduce water consumption in our education estate through working in conjunction with our water provide, Business Stream. 4.1.3 Survey work is planned to look at the options for upgrading the existing lights and controls within Renfrewshire House, this will not only reduce our carbon emissions and the associated electricity costs and will provide an improved working environment for staff and visitors. District Heating Network feasibilities 4.1.4 Feasibility reports are now complete looking at the options surrounding the introduction of a District Heating Scheme in Central Paisley and an extension to the current District Heating Network at AMIDS. Central Paisley has 49 main anchor loads with an additional 2,552 properties that could connect to the network. 4.1.5 A funding application for each project has been submitted to the Scottish Governments Heat Network Support Unit for matched funding to take each feasibility to an Outline Business Case. Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategy Delivery Plan 4.1.6 Renfrewshire’s LHEES strategy was approved at Board on 25th January 2024.The Energy Team are currently working on finalising Renfrewshire’s LHEES Delivery Plan. The delivery plan is a document setting out how a local authority proposes to support implementation of its local heat and energy efficiency strategy. ECO4 Flex 4.1.7 ECO4 Flex will allow the Council to approve funding to Renfrewshire’s private sector, fuel poor households that do not meet criteria for other schemes, as well as low- income households that are vulnerable to the effects of the cold. The scheme is part of the UK Government Energy Company Obligation and is managed by Ofgem. 4.1.8 The qualifying criteria for ECO-Flex, as set by Ofgem, is published on our website in a document called a Statement of Intent. Renfrewshire’s Statement of Intent can be found here: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/media/15354/ECO4-flex-statement-of- intent/pdf/Renfrewshire_Council_Statement_of_Intent_for_ECO4_flex.pdf?m=167568 7584337ECO-flex. ECO-flex does not apply to Council Housing or Registered Social Landlords. 4.1.9 The energy efficiency measures being installed within Renfrewshire include boilers, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, heating controls, first time central heating etc. The table below highlights the savings ECO4 Flex has achieved to date based on annually recurring savings: Financial Year Value of Grant Funding Requested (£) Total Annual CO2 Saving in Kg Total Annual Cost Saving (£) 2023/24 £3,583,940 648,617 £231,789 2024/25 £1,174,210 157,299 £60,261 Total £4,758,150 805,916 £292,050 4.2 Biodiversity 4.2.1 This season the service expanded its biodiversity planting, adding new sites across the area. A review is currently ongoing on all the biodiversity sites planted over the last 3 years. Whilst the service has received positive feedback when in flower, there are a number of locations where the flower mix has started to become dominated by a small group of flower species. In addition to the flower mix, the size of the panels and where located next to roads and footways will be reviewed to ensure effective sight lines and safe walking routes to be maintained. Updates on all of our biodiversity sites will continue to be provided at future boards. 4.3 Carbon Literacy Training
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4.3.1 Local Authority Leadership and Management in Carbon Literacy training is being rolled out across the Council. This training is delivered in-house and is primarily based at Managers and Team Leaders. The training uses a toolkit produced by the Carbon Literacy Project specifically for Local Authorities and is part of large-scale certified education programme with nearly 97,000 individuals having undergone the training across various sectors in total. 4.3.2 The training covers a basic overview on the climate emergency, causes and impacts and explores why local authorities should act and the Council’s levers of influence; providing leadership in the climate emergency; how climate action can be integrated into decision making; co-benefits of climate action; and examples of how we can fund climate action. 4.3.3 To date, 54 Council Officers have undertaken the training from across all Services, with further training sessions planned after the summer. 5 Team Up to Clean Up 5.1.1 The “Bin to Win” school campaign was introduced to schools in June. The campaign was launched during the pre-election period, as such promotion was low key. £750 worth of Scotland Loves Local or One4all gift cards gift cards were issued to our young winners who submitted photographs of themselves binning their litter. Greater promotion and awareness raising is planned for pupil’s return to school in August, at this point pupils will also learn of their peer’s winnings. This approach is designed as a nudge technique to develop behaviour change amongst our young people. 5.1.2 Team up to Clean Up continues to engage and support Community Groups across Renfrewshire with litterpicking kits, high vis vests and tools as required. 5.2 Environmental Taskforce 5.2.1 The Environmental Taskforce continues to deliver intervention to reduce instances of flytipping. Key statistics for the most recent period are: Action May-July 2024 Proactive visits to identified hotspot areas 520 Number of reports investigated 378 Tonnes of flytipping removed 49 Number of sites secured to prevent further flytipping 3 Letters to private landowners re flytipping 12 Visits to businesses to ensure Waste Disposal Arrangements in place 20 Fixed Penalty Notices Issued 22 5.2.2 Relocated cameras have been successful in securing evidence in 3 flytipping cases since May 2024. 5.2.3 An additional 3 flytipping hotspots have been secured with preventative measures blocking access through support from the Environmental Taskforce. One site, operated by a private organisation, has erected fencing, the remaining 2, one of which is Tannahill Road in Ferguslie, have blocked access as such reducing instances in these areas. 6 Fleet, Roads and Transportation 6.1 Fleet Services 6.1.1 The service are progressing the Fleet Vehicle Replacement Programme in line with the Council’s Ren Zero Plan. 7 electric vans and 12 electric cars have been ordered and are due for delivery by October 2024. The Council now ha a total of 104 electric vehicles within the core operational fleet. Roads & Transportation 6.2 Roads Capital Investment Programme
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6.2.1 A number of schemes have been completed during July and August including Paisley Town Centre one-way system including Incle Street, Old Sneddon Street and Weir Street. Newmains Road, Neilston Road, High Street/Leighcartside Johnstone, Abbotsinch Road, Causeyside Street, Barochan Road, Glenpatrick Road, Main Road Elderslie and Nethergreen Road have been completed over the Summer. Surface dressing has also been completed on rural roads around Lochwinnoch and Howwood. 6.2.2 Carriageway resurfacing works are planned in September and October for A726 Greenock Road, A726 Spectacles roundabout, Inchinnan Road Paisley, and Glenfield Road. 6.2.3 Footway resurfacing will commence in late October 2024. 6.2.4 The new River Clyde bridge from Renfrew to Yoker has been installed with the connecting roads under construction. Recruitment for the 24-hour, 7-day week operations team has been completed along with training on the safe operation and maintenance of the bridge in anticipation of the bridge opening. The bridge is expected to be operational by late 2024. 6.3 Active Travel & Infrastructure Improvement Update 6.3.1 Work to introduce pedestrian safety traffic calming measures in Renfrewshire’s villages continues. Close collaboration with local residents is directing the design and construction of measures to best suit local conditions. The second part of the project has started its engagement and concept design stage in Lochwinnoch, Bishopton, Elderslie and Bridge of Weir. 6.3.2 The new Active Travel route from Barnsford Road to Inchinnan Drive is now complete. We await news of the value of our award from Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund to allow us to build the next phase of our Active Travel Network along Inchinnan Drive this year. This connects the employment centre of Inchinnan Business Park with Glasgow Airport, Renfrew, and Paisley with a safe, segregated active travel path for everyday commuter journeys. 6.3.3 The tender for the construction phase of a bus turning circle at Linburn Road in Erskine has been awarded for a construction start in August. The project will provide a retaining wall, bus turning loop and footway provision. Public utility diversionary works has already been completed. SPT Capital funding announced for 2024/25 has allocated £165,000 for this category 1 project seen by SPT as operationally essential. 6.3.4 The Paisley to Renfrew active travel route, including upgraded shared footways and carriageway improvements at Wright Street is complete. Pedestrian crossings at Gilmour Street and Niddry Street have been converted to Toucan crossings, the new street lighting on the route is energised and we are in discussions with the developer on the final surfacing of the ramp connecting Turner Drive and Wright Street. 6.3.5 Work in association with Sustrans to improve accessibility to the National Cycle Route Network 75 has seen improved connections created at Ben Nevis Road, Canal Street and Stow Brae. Further feasibility work at Maxwellton Road is hoped to be able to encourage more active trips to school in future. 6.3.6 Our programme to provide more energy efficient infrastructure at Traffic Signal junctions continues with upgrades planned at three junctions on Barrochan Road/A737, Johnstone and Paisley Road/Oxford Road, Renfrew. Road safety improvements at the Glebe Street/ Hairst Street junction are due to follow. 6.3.7 Renfrewshire’s Local Transport Strategy has completed its data gathering stage of widespread engagement with public, Members and stakeholders. Opinions on all aspects of transport in Renfrewshire, what works, what doesn’t and suggestions for the future, have been collected for consideration in the preparation of a draft strategy for further consultation later in the year. 6.4 Elderslie for Everyone Project 6.4.1 The Discover stage of the project is now complete, having held 11 events and meetings and 11 one-to-one meetings with businesses, engaged with 410 people face-to-face, had 446 contributions on the project website and 224 newsletter subscribers. 6.4.2 The next stage, Develop, which will run until autumn 2024, will see the creation of Design Objectives based on findings from the Discover stage and the early stages of developing design solutions.
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6.4.3 Some surveying has already been carried out (traffic speed and volume, public life study, junction turning counts at Glenpatrick Road, video manual count of pedestrians) with additional to follow after school holidays (pedestrian movement count at Glenpatrick Road, junction turning count from Canal Street, queue length at Glenpatrick Road, parking and loading survey). 6.4.4 The latest public event took place on Thursday 15 August 2024, and featured hands-on workshops with scale models. 6.4.5 The project is on-track to have full concept designs by March 2025, with additional collaborative design sessions and community consultations along the way. 6.5 Parking Strategy 6.5.1 The service has made significant progress with implementation of the Councils approved parking Strategy with preparations well underway for the delivery of the Council’s responsibilities in relation to pavement parking. 6.5.2 A consultation is ongoing at present on the streets proposed to be exempt from the regulations and the Traffic Regulation Order has been widely promoted to maximise coverage of the issue. The outcome of the consultation and associated Traffic Regulation Order will be brought back to the next meeting of this Policy Board for consideration on the basis that the majority of objections, if any, can be addressed prior to the meeting of the Board. 6.5.3 A key area of the parking strategy was the review of existing permit arrangements that are in place across Paisley Town Centre, although residents permits will be considered at a later point in the implementation of the strategy. Officers have met with representatives of Paisley First and carried out a number of visits to local businesses who have made representations through Paisley First, to identify opportunities to support business in line with the Parking Strategy. 6.5.4 Officers have also identified the opportunity for a season pass discount scheme for those individuals who have no option other than to bring their private car to Paisley town centre for employment purposes. Officers intend to engage with Paisley First further to discuss the detail of the proposals. Initial thoughts on the implementation could see a discounted scheme in operation where around 25% of our off street parking spaces are made available to those wishing to purchase a season pass. Work is now under way, which will allow a scheme to offer a discount on parking of 60% on a standard daily rate. An update will be provided to members at the next Policy Board on progress with this scheme. 6.5.5 Officers have also engaged with businesses around the potential for introduction of additional loading bays around the town centre, with locations to be confirmed with Paisley First as well additional signage to be located at parking machines to provide additional information to the public. 6.6 Street lighting Capital Investment Programme 6.6.1 The new lighting installation for Prieston Road, Bridge of Weir started in early July to replace the ageing network with new cabling in ducts, a new control panel and new columns and lanterns. 6.6.2 Works continue to replace 144 cut down lighting columns and new cable loops to areas where we have dark sections continues with around 60% of programme completed. 7. Neighbourhood Services 7.1 Grass Cutting Programme 7.1.1 The grass cutting programme commenced on April 1st and is approaching the last month of the cutting season. As previously advised to board the service implemented a strimming- only procedure for all grass edges, a measure aimed at reducing pesticide usage. This new approach led to an overall reduction in pesticide spraying by 80% and completely eliminated grass edge spraying. Consequently, panel edges no longer appeared yellow, enhancing the quality of the cuts. This improvement resulted in a significant reduction in the complaints regarding grass cutting quality compared to the same period last year. 7.1.2 The introduction of the strimming procedure posed some challenges, primarily the increased time required to complete a grass panel cut. Occasionally, the service was unable to fully strim all panels, resulting in some inconsistency in the grass edges. However, this was
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addressed, and form lessons learned for the service next season. With the extensive improvements in the quality of grass cutting experienced this year, the service intends to continue with the strimming procedure next season adapting to the lessons learned to improve the overall service. 7.2 Weed Management 7.2.1 This growing season presented significant challenges in addressing an unprecedented amount of weed growth, with the weather impacting weeds on a wider, national scale. In response to the weed growth, the service implemented a targeted approach by forming a dedicated weed control team. This team concentrated on strimming, scraping, sweeping and spraying in our open spaces. 7.2.2 While the weed growth posed challenges, it also highlighted opportunities for the new management team for continual improvement. To ensure optimal weed management for open spaces in the future, the service has begun the tender exercise for weed management for 2025. We plan to increase our weed management programme and initiate our weed management efforts earlier in the season, commencing in March 25. As a further method, service teams have redesigned the winter works programme for 2024, with a wider emphasis on weed management. These proactive steps will help us build on this years’ experience and improve our strategies for weed control for future years. 7.3 Winter Maintenance Programme 7.3.1 There will be a large, visible winter maintenance programme this autumn/ winter, focussing of hedge and shrub reduction and vegetation cut back. It is recognised that it’s been a number of years since many of our hedges and shrubs have had as significant cut back. In addition there will be a focus with new and additional equipment to assist scraping activities which were restarted 3 years ago to allow a larger areas of ground to be covered. These activities will take place within all communities and will follow the 14 day grass cutting cycle, with a presence one day a fortnight within communities. A more detailed update will be provided in the next board cycle. 7.4 Bin Replacement Programme 7.4.1 Following the allocation of investment in the budget, we are in the process of procuring and replacing around 300 litter bins. The majority of this replacement will take place in the autumn, with some bins already being replaced. Additionally, we are undertaking a wider review to assess the location and type of infrastructure needed across Renfrewshire moving forward and a further update on the review will be shared at a future board. 7.4.2 By upgrading our bin infrastructure and improving servicing methods, Neighbourhood Services is taking significant steps to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management in our community. 7.5 LTA Tennis Court Launch 7.5.1 The extensive improvement works on the tennis infrastructure across Renfrewshire have been successfully completed. Refurbishment of the tennis courts at Brodie Park, Robertson Park, and Johnstone Park Lane is now finished. These courts were reopened in July, ahead of the school summer holidays, and have already seen increased participation throughout the season. Our Play parks team have taken ownership of the sites and will continue to maintain the sites across Renfrewshire. 7.5.2 To celebrate the reopening, Renfrewshire Council offered free access to the tennis courts for the entire month of July. A formal launch event is planned for September, coinciding with the return of schools. This event will feature local school pupils, LTA elected members, and a coaching professional. Details of the formal launch will be communicated soon, and we anticipate continued success and community engagement at our tennis courts. 7.6 Tree and Woodlands Management 7.6.1 The new Tree and Woodlands structure has nearly completed its recruitment cycle, with all key positions filled except one. We have welcomed our new Tree and Woodlands Supervisor, who joins us from the Forestry Commission. This supervisor will oversee the council's proactive tree management efforts. 7.6.2 The redesigned structure aims to enhance our proactive tree management, thereby improving the service delivered to the residents of Renfrewshire. With the additional resources, we are able to support the ever-increasing demand of managing, enhancing,
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and expanding our tree assets. Currently, the team is addressing several complex tree enquiries, and the new team structure is expected to increase our efficiency and responsiveness in managing tree and woodland issues. 7.7 Clyde Muirshiel 7.7.1 Castle Semple and Clyde Muirshiel Country Parks are operating on summer opening hours, with walks and trails accessible all day, every day. The outdoor activity programme has also commenced successfully following a successful recruitment period for outdoor instructors. 8 Memorial Safety and Cemetery Management 8.1.1 Memorial Safety is nearing the completion of its inspection programs and is preparing to begin re-inspections. In preparation, the service is currently reviewing its policies and procedures and a revised cemetery policy will be presented to a future board for approval. Additionally, to enhance communication with the public, the service is evaluating a new digital platform. This platform aims to centralise all cemetery-related information, offering a comprehensive and easily accessible resource for all cemetery operations. 9. Waste Services 9.1 Waste Collection Method Update 9.1.1 As agreed at Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board at it’s meeting of May 2024, phase 1 of decoupling the grey bins from the recycling bins for all areas with a Saturday collection will be rolled out from the beginning of October. This extra time has allowed additional work on route data to be completed to ensure a smooth transition. 9.1.2 Additionally, Phase 1 will now be implemented in 3 stages. Stage 1 Alignment of recycling collections so that the same recycling stream is collected on the same day. Residents will receive a new collection calendar informing them which colour recycling bins to present on collection day. The grey bins collections will remain on Saturday at this stage. Stage 2 Align the difficult to service properties with the standard collection frequencies and expanding recycling provision by providing them with a brown bin. Stage 3 Decouple the grey bins so that they are collected on a different day from recycling bins. E.g. recycling will be collected on a Saturday and residual grey bins collected on a Monday. 9.1.3 Ward Elected Members for this area will be provided with notice and further information in advance of communications being sent to households. 9.2 Circular Economy Bill update 9.2.1 The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill was passed by Scottish Parliament on 26th June 2024. The Bill brings forward legislation to introduce measures including a circular economy strategy, circular economy and recycling targets, and changes to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. For local authority environmental services, relevant changes include the introduction of a householder’s duty of care with authority to issue fixed penalty notices for those who fail to comply, and changes to the code of practice on household waste recycling. The bill also includes measures to restrict the disposal of unsold consumer goods and the imposing of a civil penalty for littering from a vehicle. 9.2.2 In parallel, Scottish Government are developing a circular economy route map to take forward circular economy measures from the Bill and others that don’t require legislation. This has been consulted on and the final version is expected before the end of 2024. 9.2.3 The Waste Service are engaging with Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland to keep up to date with developments in relation to both the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill and Circular Economy Route Map. Further updates will be provided when more information becomes available. 9.3 Household Waste Recycling Centres – Health and Safety
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9.3.1 The vast majority of people who access our Household Recycling Centre’s for disposal of their waste and recycling follow the site rules and if they are unsure of anything will ask our site staff for assistance. Unfortunately, on a small number of occasions our site staff have experienced aggressive behaviour and abuse from site users, and this is not acceptable. 9.3.2 The safety of our staff is of the upmost importance to us, and this is reflected in the Council’s policy on Violence and Aggression at Work. Following discussions with site staff and trade union representatives the Waste Service will introduce Body Worn Cameras for our recycling centre staff. The use of body worn cameras within HWRCs is common within local authorities and this technology is in addition to the existing health and safety measures on site. 9.3.3 It is anticipated that the presence of the cameras will discourage interactions from escalating and capture evidence if it does. The use of body worn cameras at our Household Recycling Centres will be clearly communicated to site users via signage at the site entrance and also within the sites. The Council’s website will also be updated with this information. The data recorded by the camera system will be held in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018. 9.4 Route Optimisation Software and In-Cab Technology 9.4.1 The service is procuring a route management system to support delivery of the frontline waste and recycling collection service. The route management system aims to deliver a number of benefits including route optimisation and in-cab technology to maximise the efficiency of the collection routes and reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The procurement of the system is underway, and the service aims to bring a paper for approval to the November board cycle. 10 #YouDecide 10.1.1 Forty one out of the 50 successful #YD Projects are now complete. Most recently seating in Renfrew Town Centre was completed along with play area refurbishments at South Candren Village Green and Station Road Park, Langbank. 10.1.2 Lighting works are complete in Howwood Park, Inchinnan Park, Spateston Park Johnstone, Ferguslie Gardens Paisley, and Miller Street path Johnstone. Columns have been installed and awaiting Scottish Power connections for Ellerslie Street Johnstone, Kintyre Park Linwood, Barshaw Park Paisley, Millfield View path, Erskine, Kilbarchan Park and Lochwinnoch Park. These connections are anticipated in September 2024. The Wallace monument is due to be illuminated in late August 2024. 10.1.3 Consultations for the wheeled sport areas for Kintyre Park, Linwood and Moss Road Park, Bridge Of Weir took place during May and June 2024. Final designs have been confirmed with works anticipated to start in late August at Kintyre Park with each park taking approximately 10-12 weeks to complete. 10.1.4 Consultation on designs for Barrangary and Chestnut roundabouts in Bishopton took place from June to August 2024. The designs chosen are being progressed through our procurement process with an aim to complete landscape works in 2025. Consultation on designs for Easwald Bank roundabout, Kilbarchan, Renfrew Road/Arkleston Road and Glasgow Road/Kings Inch Road, Renfrew roundabouts to start September 2024. 10.1.5 Work to improve paths and signage in Gleniffer country park is ongoing as are the information and interpretation boards for the villages of Inchinnan and Kilbarchan. These projects should be complete by Spring 2025. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Any financial elements referenced in this report will be progressed through the Council’s financial & budget planning process. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – The report details a range of activities which reflect local community and council planning themes.
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4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology –None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – None 13. Climate Change – there are a range of actions and activities throughout the Service Update Report which support the Council’s Plan for Net Zero. 14. Children’s Rights - None List of Background Papers: None Author: Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure