Operational Performance Report
Renfrewshire Council · 15 June 2022
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 15 June 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 15 June 2022 Report by: Director of Environment & Infrastructure Heading: Operational Performance Report 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an overview of key service activities since the last Policy Board report on 23 March 2022 and an operational performance update on the services and key projects delivered during this period. 1.2 Operational Services have continued on a ‘business as usual’ basis while working within Covid-19 restrictions. All required safety measures are in place and are now well established. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the operational performance update detailed within this report. 3. Background 3.1 Environment & 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 within Environment & Infrastructure, in respect of the areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, is detailed below.
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2 3.2 Operational Services continued to deliver services as normal while working within the Covid-19 restrictions. These included social distancing, enhanced cleaning and PPE measures. Employees across the service have shown great commitment and resilience while delivering essential services, across Renfrewshire. While most of the restrictions have now been removed covid is still impacting on absence levels across our workforce, this coupled with additional annual leave that was carried forward from last year is having resource implications for operational services. Updates for Infrastructure Land and Environment Policy Board 4. Fleet, Roads and Transportation 4.1 Fleet Services 4.1.1 Fleet Services have implemented a new electronic key management system for the sustainable pool fleet. The system has been thoroughly tested and will be rolled out service by service over the coming weeks. The system utilises an automated key safe system aligned to a new and improved online booking system that automates the issuing and returning of keys, helping to manage daily operations. It also works in conjunction with our existing vehicle tracking system allowing the utilisation and efficiency of the vehicles to be monitored. The new key management system offers an intelligent control, administration, and documentation process for keys and can be managed remotely creating the highest degree of efficiency in everyday operations. – remove green 4.2 Roads Capital Programme 4.2.1 The Roads Capital Investment programme for 2022/23 has commenced with around 20 of the programmed carriage-way resurfacing schemes completed to date, the footway resurfacing, large area patching, surface dressing and micro-surfacing programmes are due to commence in the summer. 4.3 Community Investment Fund Members were updated at the last meeting of the ILE Policy Board in relation to the launch of the #YouDecide campaign on 4 October 2021. 4.3.1 The engagement with the communities has been a positive experience with communities and individuals contributing 2,843 ideas. This initial list of ideas has been reduced to a long list of 174 ideas. These 174 suggestions are now undergoing assessments for deliverability and design which will then inform the shortlist that goes to the public vote in Summer 2022.
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3 4.4 Active Travel Update 4.4.1 The Paisley to Renfrew riverside cycle and pedestrian route started the build phase in late January 2022. To date on the section from Abercorn Street towards Wright Street the vegetation has been cleared, the ducting for lighting columns and kerbing have been installed. The project will provide an important active travel link from Paisley Gilmour Street Station all the way to the River Clyde. The route passes close to two primary schools, the new Paisley Grammar Campus, two public parks and a number of important retail and employment sites. Stakeholder engagement on some smaller ‘design and build’ elements has begun. In addition, work has now commenced in providing cycling links to the Glasgow Airport Investment Area and this will form an important element in the Council’s cycling strategy network going forward. 4.4.2 Causeyside Street Cycle Lane The Council is working to transform Paisley town centre using its significant cultural and heritage story to promote it as a great place to live and visit. There is significant investment in historic venues in the town centre including Paisley Museum and Town Hall and we are exploring ways to improve access and connectivity to these locations for visitors and residents. We are developing plans to investigate reform options for Causeyside Street to enhance walking, cycling and public transport connections for residents, businesses and visitors. The initial stages of this project will look to improve infrastructure and connections between Gilmour Street and Canal Street train stations, providing cycling infrastructure, formalising car parking arrangements to remove illegal parking activities and to improve the streetscape and connections to amenity areas such as Dunn Square. We will be launching a consultation on initial plans for the project, the consultation will involve visiting every business within the area, engaging with local ward councillors, key stakeholders such as Paisley First and Public Transport Operators and providing a site presence during the consultation. We anticipate that the consultation will be launched in late June and will run for a period of 4 weeks. 4.4.3 Smarter Choices, Smart Places Environment & Infrastructure Services are working with schools and communities to implement three new Active Travel projects as part of the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding programme: • Beat the Street This project aims to increase people’s activity levels and improve health. It’s a behavioural change initiative that is focused around a game. During the game, residents record their distance walked/cycled by tapping their Beat the Street card on Beat Boxes on lamp posts at various locations. They can view their total distance accumulated online, creating competition whilst rediscovering their local
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4 area. It is suitable for all ages. Locations for the game will take place in Paisley following the success of last year’s programme in Bridge of Weir, Houston, Linwood, Johnstone. Lochwinnoch and Elderslie. • School Active Travel Promotion Up to 20 Primary Schools can engage with a year-long initiative (WOW – Walk to School) that rewards pupils with monthly badges for travelling actively for a set period of days. This is particularly useful to use with schools that report persistent congestion issues. All 50 Primary Schools will receive materials to support a focused Walk to School Week. Living Streets Scotland, charity for everyday walking, will offer support and run additional promotions throughout the year. • Scootability Younger pupils will have lessons on how to use their scooters safely. The training will run alongside Cycling Scotland’s Bikeability training which is offered to older pupils. Training will be co-ordinated by the Bikeability Officer based in Renfrewshire Leisure. 4.4.8 The traffic reduction studies in village settings within Renfrewshire has largely completed its consultation phase with key stakeholders. Kilbarchan Road in Bridge of Weir has been added to the villages of Howwood, Kilbarchan and Houston in the study. Surveys to assess traffic volumes, speeds and travel patterns are now complete. The service is now considering a range of potential traffic interventions that should improve road safety in the areas and these will be brought forward for consultation with the Community. As a result of Council and SPT funding there has been significant investment in Pedestrian Crossing installations at Glenburn Road and Penilee Road during May and June to address concerns of road safety, speeding and crossing locations at or around schools, nurseries and key junctions in towns and villages. 5. Parks Investment 5.1 Tenders have been issued for the following parks and contracts for work are anticipated to be awarded by 30 June 2022. The six contracts are for works to update parks in the following areas: • Campbell Street, Renfrew • Crags Park, Paisley • Elm & Sycamore, Johnstone • Ardgryffe Park, Houston • Churchill Drive, Bishopton • Dunvegan Avenue, Elderslie 5.2 The work to clear Barshaw Pond of silt and any associated invasive weed has been completed. Subsequent restoration works are now underway and once the grass has re-established around the work area, cutting and the usual maintenance will resume.
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5 6. Climate Change 6.1 Electric Vehicle Charge Points Installation of additional electric charging equipment at the Document Solutions Centre, Hawkhead Cemetery and the HSCP facilities at Dundonald Road Gallowhill and Montrose Road Foxbar have been completed for Fleet electric vehicles. 6.2 Works have started on the EV Charging Hub at Stow Brae Car Park as part of the regeneration works planned for Causeyside Street and providing local community with twelve electric vehicle charging bays. 6.3 Biodiversity StreetScene have completed preparation and seeding / planting activities for the Wildflower & Trees areas: Wildflower Corridors / Areas • Paisley - Linwood Road • Paisley, St James's - Greenock Road • Erskine - A726 • Paisley - Glenburn Road • Johnstone - Spateston These areas are starting to germinate with wildflowers emerging over the next few weeks, providing colour and increased pollinator species areas. We have engaged with Spateston ELC who are enthused with this project and are looking forward to the benefits of taking learning outdoors. Trees & Woodland Plantations (2) • Inchinnan - Freeland Drive • Paisley - Newark Drive /Mossneuk Drive /Nethercraigs Drive All areas prepared and trees planted with the welcomed assistance of Inchinnan Primary School at Freeland Drive. Additional guards have been put in place to protect the young trees. 7 Team Up to Clean Up 7.1 Team Up to Clean Up is now entering its 5th year. The Campaign continues to grow with around 10-40 clean ups per day. 3,700 local people have joined the Facebook group and regularly engage, arrange or get involved in local activity. 7.2 The Big Spring Clean has been well received by schools and communities. A series of presentations took place with primary and secondary school pupils focusing on the impact of litter in their communities. Pupils further took part in arranged litter picks by schools and this was celebrated in local press and social media. Over the course of
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6 the Big Spring Clean 544 events took place involving 1,500 volunteers who removed 2,489 bags of litter from Renfrewshire communities. 8. Waste and Recycling Services 8.1 Renfrewshire Council has awarded the contract for a new Operational Management System as the contract for the current system expires in August 22. 8.2 The service continues to review the recycling infrastructure within the Councils’ school estate with a view to reducing residual waste and maximising the quantity and quality of recycling. The review has been progressing well and it is hoped that it will rolled out to schools once they return in August. 8.3 A second application has been submitted to the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund for investment in our Household Waste Recycling Centres to improve recycling performance by adding additional equipment to improve on-site separation. 8.4 All staff, including waste collection crews, have been trained in GDPR and what it means for their role in maintaining Council compliance with the legislation. 8.5 On the public holiday weekend, waste services on the Thursday and partially on the Friday were disrupted. A contingency and recovery programme was implemented on the Thursday along with a communications campaign to the public, elected members and communities. The services have since returned to normal operations. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The absence and annual leave issues described in section 3.2 of this report may impact on operational services budgets. In addition, some of the works described within the report may be affected by the cost increases being experienced across the UK. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community & Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving / Reshaping our place, our economy and our future - the service is actively involved in the Invest in Renfrewshire scheme and investing in road network to support and facilitate economic growth. Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy - working in partnership with the community to deliver a cleaner Renfrewshire. Promoting and encouraging waste minimisation through reducing, reusing and recycling. Reducing carbon emissions, through LED streetlights and electric and low emission vehicles within the Council fleet.
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7 Our Renfrewshire is well - the service encourages use of our parks and open spaces to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – The Council’s roads, fleet and open space infrastructure is maintained and enhanced. 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 – CRMG are continuing to review the Council’s risk profile in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. CoSLA Policy Position – None 13. Climate Risk – The Council continues to explore opportunities to secure external funding to deliver sustainable, green infrastructure projects. List of Background Papers: none Author: Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment & Infrastructure e-mail: gordon.mcneil@renfrewshire.gov.uk