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West Dunbartonshire Council · 6 November 2024
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Agenda
Corporate Services Committee
Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2024
Time: 14:00
Format: Hybrid Meeting
Contact:   Scott Kelly, Committee Officer
scott.kelly@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
committee.admin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Dear Member
Please attend a meeting of the Corporate Services Committee as detailed above.
Members will have the option to attend the meeting remotely or in person at the Civic
Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton.
The business is shown on the attached agenda.
Yours faithfully
PETER HESSETT
Chief Executive
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Distribution:- 
Councillor Ian Dickson
Councillor Fiona Hennebry
Councillor David McBride 
Councillor James McElhill
Councillor Michelle McGinty 
Councillor Karen Murray Conaghan
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill (Vice Chair)
Councillor Lauren Oxley
Councillor Martin Rooney (Chair)
Councillor Gordon Scanlan
Councillor Hazel Sorrell
Councillor Clare Steel 
Chief Executive
Chief Officers 
Date of issue:  24 October 2024 
Audio Streaming 
Audio recordings of the meeting (including the attendance or contribution of any party
participating or making a contribution) will be published on the Council’s website and
the Council’s host’s webcast/audio stream platform. 
You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the General Data
Protection Regulation.  Data collected during this audio stream will be retained in
accordance with the Council’s Privacy Notice and Retention Schedules including, but
not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records
available via the Council’s internet site. 
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CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE 
WEDNESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2024 
AGENDA 
1 STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING 
The Chair will be heard in connection with the above. 
2 APOLOGIES 
3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
Members are invited to declare if they have an interest in any of the items of 
business on this agenda and the reasons for such declarations. 
4 RECORDING OF VOTES 
The Committee is asked to agree that all votes taken during the meeting be
caried out by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record. 
5 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING     7 – 8 
Submit, for approval as a correct record, the Minutes of Meeting of the
Corporate Services Committee held on 14 August 2024. 
6 MINUTES OF JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM     9 – 14 
Submit for information and where necessary ratification, the Minutes of
Meeting of the Joint Consultative Forum held on 12 September 2024. 
7 OPEN FORUM 
The Committee is asked to note that no open forum questions have been
submitted by members of the public. 
8/ 
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8 CITIZEN, CULTURE AND FACILITIES DELIVERY PLAN –  15 – 31
2024/25 MID-YEAR PROGRESS   
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities setting 
out the mid-year progress of the Citizen, Culture and Facilities Delivery Plan
2024/25. 
9 PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY DELIVERY PLAN 2024/25 –  33 – 46
MID-YEAR PROGRESS 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – People and Technology setting out the
mid-year progress of the People and Technology Delivery Plan 2024/25. 
10 REGULATORY AND REGENERATION DELIVERY PLAN  47 – 64 
2024/25 – MID-YEAR PROGRESS 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration setting out
the mid-year progress of the Regulatory and Regeneration Delivery Plan
2024/25. 
11 RESOURCES DELIVERY PLAN 2024/25 – MID-YEAR   65 – 79 
PROGRESS 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources setting out the mid-year
progress of the Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25. 
12 FOOD ENFORCEMENT SERVICE PLAN 2024/25   81 –100 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration seeking
approval of the Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/2025. 
13 PUBLIC HOLIDAY VARIATIONS       101 – 111 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – People and Technology setting out the
proposed changes to public holiday allocation for local government and quasi-
craft employees. 
14 CORPORATE SERVICES REVENUE – BUDGETARY   113 – 128
CONTROL REPORT TO 31 AUGUST 2024 (PERIOD 5) 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources advising on the 
performance of the Corporate Services revenue budget for the period to 31
August 2024. 
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15 CORPORATE SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY    129 – 135
CONTROL REPORT TO 31 AUGUST 2024 (PERIOD 5) 
Submit report by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the
Corporate Services capital programme to 31 August 2024. 
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CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
At a Hybrid Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee held in the Civic Space,
16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Wednesday, 14 August 2024 at 2.00 p.m.
Present: Councillors Ian Dickson, David McBride, Jonathan McColl,
Michelle McGinty, Karen Murray Conaghan, Lauren Oxley,
Martin Rooney, Gordon Scanlan and Clare Steel.
Attending: Peter Hessett, Chief Executive; Alan Douglas, Chief Officer –
Regulatory and Regeneration; Amanda Graham, Chief Officer –
Citizen, Culture and Facilities; Laurence Slavin, Chief Officer –
Resources; Victoria Rogers, Chief Officer – People and
Technology; Lauren Crooks, Strategic Communication, Culture
& Performance Manager; Stephen Daly, Citizen & Digital
Manager; Alison McBride, Strategic People and Change
Manager; Michelle Lynn, Assets Co-ordinator; Arun Menon,
Business Support Manager; Lisa MacGregor, People & Change
Partner; Adrian Gray, Finance Business Partner; Nigel Ettles,
Principal Solicitor; and Scott Kelly, Committee Officer.
Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors
Daniel Lennie and June McKay.
Councillor Michelle McGinty in the Chair
STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING
Councillor McGinty, Chair, advised that the meeting was being audio streamed and
broadcast live to the internet and would be available for playback.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of
business on the agenda.
RECORDING OF VOTES
The Committee agreed that all votes taken during the meeting would be carried out
by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record.
ITEM 5
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee held on 22 May 2024
were submitted and approved as a correct record.
OPEN FORUM
The Committee noted that no open forum questions had been submitted by
members of the public.
CORPORATE SERVICES CAPITAL BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO
30 JUNE 2024 (PERIOD 3)
A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the
Corporate Services capital programme to 30 June 2024. 
After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Resources and the Assets Co-
ordinator in further explanation and in answer to a Member’s questions, the
Committee agreed:-
(1) to note the current position of the 2024/25 capital budget for Corporate
Services;
(2) to note a projected adverse project life variance of £0.040m (0.14% of the
overall revised budget);
(3) to note an in-year variance of £0.162m due to reprofiling of projects; and
(4) to approve additional prudential borrowing of £0.040m to fund the adverse
variance noted in (3) above for the Agresso Development Project.
CORPORATE SERVICES BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT TO
30 JUNE 2024 (PERIOD 3)
A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources advise the Committee on
the performance of the Corporate Services budget for the period to 30 June 2024.
Having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation of the report, the
Committee agreed to note that the revenue account currently showed a projected
annual favourable variance of £0.101m (0.28% of the total budget).
The meeting closed at 2.10 p.m.
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JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM
At a Meeting of the Joint Consultative Forum held in the Civic Space, Council
Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Thursday, 12 September 2024 at
2.00 p.m.
Present: Councillors Michelle McGinty and Martin Rooney; James
Halfpenny (EIS); David Scott (GMB); Susan Shannon and David
Smith (UNISON); and Connor Farmer (Unite).
Attending: Victoria Rogers, Chief Officer – People and Technology;
Amanda Graham, Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities; 
Laurence Slavin, Chief Officer – Resources; Lorraine Mair, OD &
Change Lead; Gillian Gall, Head of Human Resources, West
Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP); Claire
Cusick, Senior Education Officer – Services for Children and
Young People; Alison McBride, Strategic People and Change
Manager; John Duffy, People, Quality & Governance Lead; Drew
Cameron, Section Leader – ICT; Michael McDougall, Manager
Legal Services (Legal Officer); and Scott Kelly, Committee
Officer.
Apologies:  Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Provost
Karen Murray Conaghan and Councillors David McBride,
Gordon Scanlan and Hazel Sorrell; Shirley Furie and John
Wagner (GMB); Peter Barry, Chief Officer – Housing and
Employability; Laura Mason, Chief Education Officer; Beth
Culshaw, Chief Officer – West Dunbartonshire HSCP; Sylvia
Chatfield, Head of Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and
Addiction, HSCP; and Margaret-Jane Cardno, Head of Strategy
and Transformation, HSCP.
APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND JOINT SECRETARIES
The Legal Officer invited the Forum to consider, in terms of its constitution, a number
of appointments for the next year and it was agreed:-
(a) that Councillor David McBride be appointed as the Chair of the Fourm , for the
Council Side;
(b) that David Scott, GMB, be appointed as Vice Chair, for the Trades Union
Side; and
ITEM 6
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(c) that Victoria Rogers, Chief Officer – People and Technology, be appointed as
the Joint Secretary for the Council Side and Susan Shannon, UNISON, be
appointed as Joint Secretary for the Trades Union Side. 
In the absence of the Chair, and with the consent of Mr Scott, Vice Chair, it was
agreed that Councillor Rooney would chair the meeting. Accordingly, Councillor
Rooney assumed the Chair. 
Councillor Martin Rooney in the Chair 
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of
business on the agenda. 
CONSTITUTION OF THE JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM 
A revised version of the Joint Consultative Forum’s constitution, which, it was noted,
had been updated in agreement with the Joint Trades Union, was submitted and
agreed, subject to the word ‘elected’ being inserted before the word ‘members’ in
paragraph 6.1 of the document (as shown as the Appendix to these Minutes). 
MINUTES/NOTE OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS 
The Minutes of Meeting of the Joint Consultative Forum held on 14 March 2024, and
a Note of an Inquorate Meeting of the Forum held on 13 June 2024, were submitted
and approved as correct records. 
PRESENTATION: PHISHING 
Drew Cameron, Section Leader – ICT, gave a presentation in relation to Phishing. 
The main points covered in the presentation were:   
• The measures taken by ICT to make emails more secure, including spam
filtering and phishing detection.
• The training of users and development of awareness to be cautious when
clicking on links in emails and recognise signs of phishing attempts.
• That the new Egress system displayed a clickable banner on external emails
providing information on possible phishing attempts.
• That ICT measured the rate of clicks on test phishing emails sent to Council
employees and that the rate had reduced over time which showed the
effectiveness of promoting awareness and phishing training. 
Councillor Rooney, Chair, thanked Mr Cameron for his informative presentation.
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ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2023/24 – EMPLOYMENT EQUALITIES
A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – People and Technology advising of
employment equalities matters for the year 2023/24. 
After discussion and having heard the People, Quality & Governance Lead, the Chief
Officer – People and Technology, and the Strategic People and Change Manager, in
further explanation of the report and in answer to Members’ questions, the Forum
agreed to note the contents of the report. 
TRADES UNION ISSUES
The Forum noted that the Trades Union have not provided, in advance of the
meeting, any issues that they wished to raise. 
TEMPLATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TRADE UNION ITEMS
FOR FORMAL MEETINGS
A template to be used by the Trades Union for submitting items for formal meetings
was submitted for information and noted.
PROGRAMME OF FUTURE MEETINGS
The Forum agreed:
(a) that future meetings of the Forum be held on:-
• Thursday, 19 December 2024 at 2.00 p.m.
• Thursday, 13 March 2025 at 2.00 p.m.
• Tuesday, 3 June 2025 at 2.00 p.m.
• Thursday, 18 September 2025 at 2.00 p.m.
(b) that the venues for these meetings should alternate between the Council
Chambers, Clydebank Town Hall, and the Civic Space, Church Street,
Dumbarton.
The meeting closed at 2.45 p.m.
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CONSTITUTION AS REVISED FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF THE JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM
HELD ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2024
Version 8 – September 2024 (Updated at Sections 1.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
(Supersedes Version 7 dated October 2017)
___________________________________________________
CONSTITUTION 
JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ALL EMPLOYEES)
1. REPRESENTATION
1.1 The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF) shall comprise 7 members of the
Council and 9 officials of the Trades Unions (excluding regional
officers) on the following basis:-
Union Members
TEACHING UNIONS (EIS, SSTA) 2
GMB Scotland (General Municipal and
Boilermakers Union)
2
UNISON 3
UNITE 2
Appropriate full-time officers of the Trade Unions and officers of the
Council may attend in an advisory capacity at any time. Each Trade
Union may invite additional officials to attend depending on the agenda
and business of the Forum. The Chair will be advised of additional
attendees in advance of the relevant meeting.
2. CHAIR
2.1 The Forum shall appoint from amongst its members, a Chair and Vice-
Chair.  When the Chair is elected from one side of the Forum, the Vice-
Chair shall be elected from the other and this will be subject to annual
rotation.
3. JOINT SECRETARIES
3.1 The Forum shall appoint annually Joint Secretaries, one to be
nominated by the Council and one to be nominated by the Trade Union
Side.  The Joint Secretaries may or may not be members of the Forum.
4. FUNCTIONS
4.1 The functions of the Forum shall be:-
Appendix
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CONSTITUTION AS REVISED FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF THE JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM
HELD ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2024
Version 8 – September 2024 (Updated at Sections 1.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
(Supersedes Version 7 dated October 2017)
(a) to afford facilities for regular consultation between the Council
and the Trade Unions representing employees of the Council on
general policy matters which are not specifically determined by
the Scottish Council or its Committees and are strategic or
political in nature;
(b) to secure the greatest possible measure of joint action between
the Council and the Trade Unions for the development and
improvement of the work of the Council;
(c) to consider any reference from the Council or the Trade Union
Side on matters affecting the mutual interests of the Council and
its employees and to make recommendations thereon to the
appropriate Committee of the Council;
(d) to encourage the learning, development and management of
change; and
(e) to consider measures to promote equality of opportunity and
treatment amongst the Council’s workforce; and
(f) to consider measures for safeguarding the health, safety and
welfare of the Council’s employees.
5. MEETINGS
5.1 The Joint Consultative Forum shall meet as and when required but this
should generally be not less than four times per year.  The Chair or the
Vice-Chair may direct either of the Joint Secretaries to call a meeting at
any time.  A meeting shall be called within fourteen days of receipt, by
either of the Joint Secretaries, of a requisition signed by not less than
one third of the members of either side.
6. QUORUM
6.1 The quorum of the Joint Consultative Forum shall be not less than one-
third of the Trade Unions representation and 2 elected members
representing the Council.
7. DISPUTES
7.1 In the event of the Joint Consultative Forum being unable to arrive at
an agreement, the matters in dispute may, at the instigation of either
side, be referred to the Corporate Services Committee.  This does not
preclude either side referring the matter in a dispute to the relevant
SJNC or Scottish Council in accordance with the Constitution of that
body.
7.2 Decisions of the Joint Consultative Forum shall be reported to the
Corporate Services Committee to consider whatever action is required.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer – Citizen, Culture and Facilities
Corporate Services Committee 6 November 2024
Subject:Citizen, Culture and Facilities Delivery Plan 2024/25 – Mid-year
Progress
1 Purpose
1.1 This report sets out the mid-year progress of the Citizen, Culture and Facilities
Delivery Plan 2024/25.
2 Recommendations
2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes the progress achieved at mid-year.
3 Background
3.1 In line with the Strategic Planning & Performance Framework, each Chief
Officer develops an annual Delivery Plan which sets out actions to help deliver
the Strategic Plan and address the performance challenges and service
priorities identified in the planning process. The Plan also provides an
overview of services and resources, including employees and budgets, sets
out the performance indicators (PIs) for monitoring progress and considers the
relevant risks.
3.2 The Citizen, Culture and Facilities Delivery Plan 2024/25 was presented to
Corporate Services Committee on 22 May 2024 with a commitment to report
mid-year progress and year-end progress in November 2024 and May 2025
respectively.
4 Main Issues
4.1 Full details of mid-year progress are set out in Appendix 1.
4.2 The progress of the Plan’s 35 actions is summarised below:
Progress No. (%)
Completed 0 (0%)
In progress and on track 34 (97%)
Delayed 1 (3%)
4.3 There are no overdue or cancelled actions at mid-year.
4.4 The delayed action relates to the following;
 Review and redesign of the Communities team service delivery: This
action has been impacted due to reduced capacity within the team.
ITEM 8
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4.5     Eighteen of the 20 PIs are monitored quarterly. Quarter 2 data is available for
14 of the 18 PIs. Performance is summarised below, based on all data
available at this time.
Performance Against Target Q1 Q2
Target significantly missed 4 5
Target narrowly missed 5 1
Target met or exceeded 9 8
Total No. of PIs for which data is available 18 14
4.6 Significantly missed targets relate to the following PIs:
 % Satisfaction with museums & galleries: whilst target for Q1 was met, Q2
target was significantly missed, based on the data it’s unlikely the year-end
target will be met
 % of telephone calls answered within 5 minutes by Repairs Contact Centre
as a proportion of all calls answered: whilst target for Q1 was exceeded,
Q2 target was significantly missed and therefore it’s unlikely the year-end
target will be met.
 % of telephone calls answered within 3 minutes by Contact Centre as a
proportion of all calls answered: whilst target for Q1 marginally missed, Q2
target was significantly missed and therefore it’s unlikely the year-end
target will be met
 Residents satisfaction with Council services overall: target for both Q1 and
Q2 significantly missed, whilst there is an upward short trend, it’s unlikely
the year-end target will be met.
 % of stage 1 complaints responded to within 5 working days: Q1 target
significantly missed, with a downward trend. As Q2 data is not yet
available there is not enough data to anticipate year-end outcome.
 % of stage 2 complaints responded to within 20 working days: Q1 target
significantly missed, with a downward trend. As Q2 data is not yet
available there is not enough data to anticipate year-end outcome
 % of residents who feel the Council communicates well with them: Both Q1
and Q2 target was significantly missed and therefore it’s unlikely the year-
end target will be met.
5 People Implications
5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report.
6 Financial & Procurement Implications
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6.1 There are no direct financial or procurement implications arising from this
report.
7 Risk Analysis
7.1 Failure to deliver on the actions assigned to Citizen, Culture and Facilities
may have a direct impact on the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan. It is
essential that remedial action is taken to ensure strategic delivery plans
achieve the commitments detailed and approved.
8 Equalities Impact Assessment
8.1 Screening and impact assessments will be carried out on specific activities as
required.
9 Consultation
9.1 The delivery plans were developed through consultation with officers from the
strategic service areas.
10 Strategic Assessment
10.1 The delivery plans set out actions to support the successful delivery of the
strategic priorities and objectives of the Council.
Chief Officer: Amanda Graham
Service Area: Citizen, Culture and Facilities
Date: 22 October 2024
_____________________________________________________________
Person to Contact: Karen Connelly
Performance & Strategy Business Partner
karen.Connelly@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendices: Appendix 1: Citizen, Culture and Facilities Delivery Plan
2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
Background Papers: Citizen, Culture and Facilities Delivery Plan 2024/25 -
Corporate Services Committee, 22 May 2024
Strategic Planning & Performance Framework 2022/27
Wards Affected: All
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1
Appendix1: CCF Delivery Plan 2024/25 – Mid-year Progress
1. Our Communities
Objective 1. Our neighbourhoods are safe, resilient and inclusive
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
Number of adults and young
people participating in
engagement activity through
Community Development
activity
205 150 New Pi for
24/25 166 150
Performance exceeded target.
Engagement activity included;
Community Surgeries,
Community Transport
engagement and summer
activities.
Elaine Troup
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Support community planning partners to develop and
deliver two CP events to support increased
participation
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned, the first community event on child
poverty was undertaken earlier this year with community
partners. Discussion to define the focus of a second event will take
place at CPWD's November 24 meeting.
Elaine Troup
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Engaging positively with
Residents, Communities &
Partnerships
The risk that the Council fails to
adequately engage, establish and
maintain positive relationships with local
residents and communities in addition to
partnership bodies.
02-Aug-2024
This risk level remains unchanged. The
work to engage with residents,
communities and partners is on-going and
continues to be a key focus for the
Communities Team. Work continues to
build on our partnership working to deliver
effective Youth Learning and Community
Development services.
Elaine Troup
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2
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
No change to risk matrix.
Objective 2. Our residents health and wellbeing remains a priority
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
% of pupil medical dietary
requests met 100% 100% 100% 100% Target met. Sharon Jump
% of pupils who take up free
school meals ( P1-7 ) 86% 75% 75% 75% Target met. Sharon Jump
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Increase the number of locations offering access to
free period products 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  Additional locations in community
owned premises have been identified, promotion will continue
within communities to ensure availability of products in areas of
most need. Going forward Facilities Management will ensure
stocks are maintained in community locations.
Elaine Troup
Review the outputs from Good Food Nation
Consultation process. 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. The Good Food Nation
requirements will apply across a number of services in the
Council. Further detail awaited from Scottish Government
following completion of review of full consultation responses.
Sharon Jump
Objective 3. Our residents are supported to increase life and learning skills
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3
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
Total number of library
issues (Physical and e-
Issues)
63,353 52,500 67,312 52,500
Target exceeded. Strong Q1
performance with total issues
comparable with Q1 2023/24
and an increase of over 9,800
compared with Q4 2023/24.
Further increase in visits in Q2. 
Emma Eremin
Total number of library visits
(physical and virtual) 113,684 90,000 72,149 60,000
Performance continues to exceed
target. Q1 data showing increase
of total visitor numbers from Q1
previous year and increase of
5,811 from Q4 2023/24.  Q2
data available from mid-October.
Emma Eremin
% Residents satisfied with
Libraries 81% 90% 83% 90%
Target marginally missed,
announcements to changes in
library services has impacted on
satisfaction. 
Emma Eremin
Total number of visits to
museums and heritage
centres  (virtual & in person)
29,391 26,628 30,750 26,628
Performance exceeded target in
both quarters. We are continuing
to see an increase in visitor
numbers.
Trish Robins
% Satisfaction with
museums & galleries 88% 88% 71% 88%
Q1 target met. Q2 significantly
missed target. Further analysis
to identify areas of improvement
are underway.  Progress of
Glencairn, Clydebank Heritage
hub and conversion of
Dumbarton library should
support improved satisfaction.
Trish Robins
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress funding application to support heritage
activity programme for Glencairn House  including
supporting the progress of the opening)
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing. Support is being provided as required to
progress the opening of Glencairn house. The design approach has
been agreed. The suite of signage is in development. Exhibition
design and content for the museum spaces is complete.
Trish Robins
Progress storage review and planning for future decant
of WDC collections to Strathleven 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned. Market and supplier research
completed. Draft quotations gained to plan for the decant from Trish Robins
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4
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Poplar Rd to Strathleven Place in 2025. Progressing planning of
timescales and associated costs. The next stage will be to obtain
quotations from specialist museum removal and storage
companies.
Support progress of plan for opening of Clydebank
Heritage Hub 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  Return of Local History & Archive
collections back to Clydebank has been completed. The enabling
works are currently underway and progressing well. The next
stage will be the museum fit out on site.
Funding application has been submitted to Museums Galleries
Scotland for a museums development grant to support
programme activity in the arts and heritage activity on site on the
opening of the new space.
Trish Robins
Support progress of new collections management
software.( MODES) 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  The transition of data and
information to the new collections management system (MODES)
is underway and expected to be completed by the end of October.
The next phase will be training for the team in the use of MODES,
followed by work to progress the front end build of the platform
for public use and access. 
Trish Robins
Continue to delivery youth learning and community
based learning and participation opportunities. 31-Mar-2025
Action is progressing as planned. Draft year 1 Actions have been
identified and these will be discussed further with partners at The
Youth Alliance and Community Development Alliance (Empowered
DIG).  Ownership and reporting on actions will be shared across
the partnerships, going forward.
Elaine Troup
Implement and embed a new delivery model for co-
located libraries 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  Dalmuir has co-located to Dalmuir
CE Centre, Balloch Library has been co-located to Balloch Campus.
Parkhall Library is due to relocate to Clydebank High School by
end October 2024. Co-located branches will be embedded into the
library network and staffing model is in place.
Emma Eremin
Create a strategy document for West Dunbartonshire
Libraries 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Service plan for 2024-25 has been
linked to relevant frameworks and strategies.  Other library
authority strategies have been reviewed for reference. Outline
strategy will be progressed by the end of 2024.
Emma Eremin
Migrate the Libraries Management System (LMS) to a
new software supplier 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Procurement of the new Library
Management System has completed.  All data has been migrated
and mapped from the old to new system.  All staff will receive
training on the new system in October/November.  A test system
is in operation until go-live in November when the contract with
the previous LMS supplier terminates. 
Emma Eremin
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5
4. Our Council
Objective 10. Our workforce is resilient and skilled where digital technology supports service delivery for our residents
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement wellbeing,
employee engagement, equality and learning and
development plans to enable capabilities, improve
resilience and promotion of a diverse workforce
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
We continue to embed full team meetings across the contact
centre. Facilities management has undertaken a staff survey with
the responses being reviewed. A more consistent approach to
engagement Is being introduced including increased presence of
team leaders across the FM service. 
Amanda
Graham
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement employee
life cycle plans in line with the People First Strategy to
attract and retain the workforce.
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
Working groups in place to consider progress of next phase of
Facilities Management service review with a view to improving
recruitment and retention.
Amanda
Graham
Workforce Planning: Implement service review process
including role design, use of new technology and new
ways of working to add resilience, address gaps, and
establish opportunities for efficiencies
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
Staff engagement has been undertaken on the colocation of
libraries. Employee impact has been minimised by retaining level
of staffing in each affected branch and working collaboratively on
any issues. A Library Strategy is in progress any workforce
implications have so far been identified from the service plan 2024
-25.  Health Literacy training has been identified as required and
will be delivered by NHS Public Health in 2025.  Digital skills also
require some upskilling to widen digital access offer in all libraries.
Work has started within Facilities Management on developing a
suitable operating model for Faifley Campus.
Amanda
Graham
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement learning
and development opportunities to improve capabilities
and resilience within the workforce.
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
Upskilling and new processes are being progressed to support the
introduction of a new customer hub system for customer services.
Following additional training, HR practices and policies are
embedded across the Facilities Management service and training
sessions including on stock control have been completed.
Amanda
Graham
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6
Objective 11. Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
Percentage of complaints
received by the Council that
are resolved/ closed at Stage
1
78% 90% 90%
Q1 target marginally missed.
Overall 178 complaints were
received in Q1. Of these 155
were handled at Stage 1 which
represents an increase of 10%
on Q4 2023/24.  In Q1 139 stage
1 complaints were closed or
resolved at this stage. The
remaining 21 open complaints
will be closed and reported
within the appropriate quarter.
Increased workload and
complexity has meant more
complaints being escalated from
Stage 1. Q2 data available in
November.
Stephen Daly
Percentage of complaints
received by the Council that
are resolved at Stage 2
7% 10% 10%
Q1 target met. Overall 178
complaints received in Q1. Of
these 23 were handled at Stage
2. Of the stage 2 complaints
received 13 were resolved in Q1.
The remaining 10 open
complaints will be closed and
reported within the appropriate
quarter.  Q2 data available in
November.
Stephen Daly
% of telephone calls
answered within 5 minutes
by Repairs Contact Centre as
a proportion of all calls
answered.
93% 90% 76% 90%
Q1 target met. Over 10,682 calls
were received with 9,915 being
answered within 5 minutes and a
further 595 answered after 5
minutes.  Q2 target significantly
missed. Over 9,560 calls were
received with 7,280 answered
Stephen Daly
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7
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
within 5 minutes and a further
1,692 answered after 5 minutes.
An increase in number of calls
for updates to repairs has
increased the call handle time. 
We will continue to work with
Building Services to improve
performance.
% of telephone calls
answered within 3 minutes
by Contact Centre as a
proportion of all calls
answered.
88% 90% 74% 90%
Q1 target marginally missed.  
More than 6,510 calls received
with 5,741 calls answered within
3 minutes. A further 659 were
answered after 3 minutes. Q2
target significantly missed. More
than 8,017 calls received with
5,902 answered within 3
minutes.  A further 1,789 were
answered after 3 minutes. 
Reduced resourcing and
introduction of Garden Waste
Permit contributed to reduced
performance. 
Stephen Daly
Residents satisfaction with
Council services overall 67% 85% 71% 85%
Target significantly missed for
both quarters, with marginal
improvement in Q2. Recent
changes across a number of
Council services due to budget
reductions have impacted on the
satisfaction rate.
Amanda
Graham
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Implement complaints management process
enhancements – next phase 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Testing of the new complaints
management system which has been developed by the web team
is completed. System now live and will be monitored until fully
embedded.  
Stephen Daly
Explore telephony self-serve options 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned. Discussed with ICT aspirations for
call waiting technology and voice recording. Consideration will be Stephen Daly
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8
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
given as to how this could integrate with the current telephony
infrastructure.
Roll out child friendly complaint procedure. 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. We have implemented the best
practice guidance which Councils have been provided with by the
Scottish Public Service Ombudsman (SPSO). This has been
integrated into our guidance and our system have been updated
to account for this new procedure.
Stephen Daly
Progress Community Facilities Plan 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Only one of the identified
community facilities remains outstanding and discussions are
underway with a community organisation.
Amanda
Graham
Progress commercialisation and income generation
opportunities 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing. Work continues with assets taking lead on
commercial lease of properties and expressions of interest
received. A billboard site has also been successfully marketed.
Work has been impacted by reduced capacity as a result of
absence.
Amanda
Graham
Review and redesign of the Communities team service
delivery 31-Mar-2025 Action progress has been impacted due to reduced capacity within
the team. Elaine Troup
Review operating model of Facilities Management
service – Next Phase 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Staff survey undertaken, with just
below 30% response rate, feedback being reviewed to develop
improvement actions as required. Back to work sessions
undertaken across all teams and well attended. 
Sharon Jump
Review menu and food purchase to minimise waste
and reduce costs 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. New three weekly menu in place.
Review of products and pricing complete. High schools are all
purchasing the same products and costing and pricing is aligned
and in line with procurement process. Both will support reduction
of wastage and costs.
Sharon Jump
Review library materials and staffing 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Library materials have been
reviewed and we will continue to evaluate usage of online and
physical materials.  A library stock policy has been drafted and the
book budget has been allocated.  
Emma Eremin
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9
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Risk of Failure to meet
citizen expectation and
service standards
Risk of citizen dissatisfaction due to us
not doing what we say we will when we
say we will.
03-Oct-2024
There are a number of actions and
strategies in place to monitor service
standards and customer satisfaction in
partnership with services across the
Council.
No change to risk matrix.
Stephen Daly
Failure to effectively manage
and learn from complaints
There is a risk of damage to the
Council's reputation. If complaints are
not handled effectively, there can be an
adverse effect on the public perception
of the Council which can lead to a lack of
trust in the services provided.
03-Oct-2024
Work continues to engage with services
and improve response times and learning
outcomes. Action plan agreed with
Internal audit to address challenges with
the compliance of complaint management
is complete.
No change to risk matrix.
Stephen Daly
Objective 12. Our residents are engaged and empowered
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
% of stage 1 complaints
responded to within 5
working days.
58% 100% 100%
Q1 target significantly missed. 
Overall 139 complaints were
handled at stage 1. Of these 80
were responded within 5 working
days. Delays were due to
increased workload and delays in
responses from services. Q2 data
available late October.
Stephen Daly
% of stage 2 complaints
responded to within 20
working days.
31% 100% 100%
Q1 target significantly missed. 
Overall 13 complaints were
handled at Stage 2. Of these 4
were responded to within 20
working days. Delays in
responses are due to the
complexity of matters raised and
also delays in responses being
Stephen Daly
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10
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
received from services. Q2 data
available in November.
No. of transactions
undertaken online 14,961 15,500 20,442 15,000
Q1 target marginally missed with
increase in Q2 performance
which exceeded target.
Stephen Daly
Percentage of residents who
are satisfied with the Council
website
79% 85% 88% 85%
Q1 target marginally missed,
with improvement in Q2 which
exceeded target. 
Stephen Daly
% of residents who feel the
Council communicates well
with them
59% 75% 46% 75%
Target significantly missed for
Q1 & Q2 with performance
continuing on a downward trend.
This feedback reflects on how
well individual services
communicate and interact with
residents when they make
contact. Proactive
communication continues to be a
key priority with a range of
channels utilised to keep
residents informed of the work of
the Council, policy changes and
information about the area. As
well as digital measures like
social media and the Council
website, the Council uses print
media, quarterly Housing News
editions and printed marketing
materials where appropriate to
ensure the widest range of
residents can access information
easily
Lauren Crooks
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress upgrade online content management system
– next phase 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Contract in place, preparatory
work started for the external site, next steps will include work on
the internal site.  Upgrades are scheduled to start in Q3 of this
financial year. 
Stephen Daly
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11
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress security reviews of websites 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. All immediate fixes required to the
website have been installed. We have also completed additional
high and medium level security fixes recommended by 3rd party
developers and from security reviews.
Stephen Daly
Review accessibility of the website and intranet. 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Progress is being made on the
websites; internet and intranet accessibility issues. This is
continually monitored as regulations change and editors add
content. The internet review is complete and we are about to start
looking to improve the intranet site now. Further review will be
done when the new regulations come out in October 2024.
Stephen Daly
Develop Strategic Communications Strategy 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned. Final draft of the Strategy is
complete and will be issued by end of calendar year. Lauren Crooks
Develop a communication plan to support budget
savings initiatives 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Plan prepared, communication will
take place in November/December and throughout January -
March.
Lauren Crooks
Deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Funded projects 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  Community partners are
progressing projects in their local area. Work on end of project
evaluation and reporting will begin in January 25.
Elaine Troup
Develop an approach for the future provision of
community budgeting 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned.  Community Budgeting will launch
in October 24 with the theme of community based food provision.
The available budget will be augmented by UK Shared Prosperity
Fund (UKSPF). 
Elaine Troup
Continue to Develop an approach to food insecurity 31-Mar-2025
The action is progressing as planned. Uptake of the available
funding has been slow.  Changes have been made to the approach
and additional promotion work is underway.
Elaine Troup
Progress plans to strengthen approach to strategic
engagement 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. To further strengthen our approach
to strategic engagement, the 2025/26 Budget Conversation
engaged with community organisations representing a wide range
of the community. We have also reviewed participation across a
range of engagement events to identify under-represented groups
and taken steps to increase participation from these groups so
engagement is as representative as possible and all communities
feel valued. We also plan to pilot a young person’s citizens panel
and increase our engagement opportunities with BSL users
Nicola
Docherty
Reflect legislative changes from Scottish Gov in WDC
equalities framework, process and procedures 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned and expected to be completed by
year end. The Equality and Diversity Working Group has been
updated on revisions to the Public Sector Equality Duty. We await
further guidance from the Scottish Government on confirmed
content; this has been delayed and anticipated around November
2024. Preparatory work for the Equality Outcome Monitoring and
Nicola
Docherty
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12
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
mainstreaming report 2025-29 is underway identifying key
considerations for West Dunbartonshire. 
Develop WDC British Sign Language plan 2024-30 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned and anticipated to be completed by
year end. In conjunction with BSL users, the statutory BSL plan
2024-30 identifying key outcome areas for West Dunbartonshire
has been developed and published in English and BSL. A BSL
action plan will guide this and be updated on a yearly basis. In the
second half of the year we will work to progress these actions to
improve outcomes for BSL users and continue engagement work
with BSL users. 
Nicola
Docherty
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to secure community
and partner buy-in for the
emerging Community
Empowerment Strategy and
Action Plan.
In order to deliver on the ambitions of
the Community Empowerment Strategy
and associated action plan, it is vital that
a partnership approach is promoted to
ensure best use of resources, skills and
expertise.
25-Sep-2024
The community empowerment agenda is
being progressed.  We are working with
CPWD Management Board to increase
opportunities for communities to
participate in community planning events.
This work will run in parallel with the
wider community development approach
to build individual and community
resilience and participation.
No change to risk matrix.
Elaine Troup
Failure to deliver on the
capacity building of the
Community Empowerment
(Scotland) Act
There is an ever greater need to support
and develop communities. Community
capacity building and community
development work continues within
existing resources.
25-Sep-2024
Delivering the Council's community
empowerment agenda remains a priority.
Delivery of community capacity building /
community development work continues
and benefits from external funding to
deliver specific projects.
No change to risk matrix.
Elaine Troup
Risk of Ineffective
Communications /
Reputation Risk
Ineffective use of corporate
communication channels may result in
messages that are inconsistent with
authorised responsibilities or established
performance measures. Employees
without intranet access or email access
may not receive communications. Not
effectively managing corporate
responses to adverse events may lead to
an erosion of the Council's reputation.
13-Sep-2024
A number of processes and strategies are
in place to ensure internal and external
communication is effective and protects
the Council's reputation.
No change to risk matrix.
Lauren Crooks
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Action Status
Overdue
Not on track
In Progress and on track
Completed
PI Status
Target significantly missed
Target narrowly missed
Target met or exceeded
Risk Status
Alert
High risk
Warning
OK
Long Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
Short Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer – People and Technology
Corporate Services Committee: 6 November 2024
Subject:People and Technology Delivery Plan 2024/25 – Mid-year Progress
1 Purpose
1.1 This report sets out the mid-year progress of the People and Technology
Delivery Plan 2024/25.
2 Recommendations
2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes the progress achieved at mid-year.
3 Background
3.1 In line with the Strategic Planning & Performance Framework, each Chief
Officer develops an annual Delivery Plan which sets out actions to help deliver
the Strategic Plan and address the performance challenges and service
priorities identified in the planning process. The Plan also provides an
overview of services and resources, including employees and budgets, sets
out the performance indicators (PIs) for monitoring progress and considers the
relevant risks.
3.2 The People and Technology Delivery Plan 2024/25 was presented to
Corporate Services Committee on 22 May 2024 with a commitment to report
mid-year progress and year-end progress in November 2024 and May 2025
respectively.
4 Main Issues
4.1 Full details of mid-year progress are set out in Appendix 1.
4.2 The progress of the Plan’s 22 actions is summarised below:
Progress No. (%)
Completed 3 (14%)
In progress and on track 19 (86%)
4.3 There are no delayed, overdue or cancelled actions at mid-year.
4.4     Two of the 9 PIs are monitored quarterly. Performance is summarised below,
based on all data available at this time.
Performance Against Target Q1 Q2
Target significantly missed 1 0
ITEM 9
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Target narrowly missed 0 0
Target met or exceeded 1 2
Total No. of PIs for which data is available 2 2
4.5 Significantly missed targets relate to the following PI:
 % employee attendance improvement rate (teachers & local govt.): Whilst
Q1 performance significantly missed target, Q2 exceeded target. Based on
the data it is unlikely the year-end target will be met.
5 People Implications
5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report.
6 Financial & Procurement Implications
6.1 There are no direct financial or procurement implications arising from this
report.
7 Risk Analysis
7.1 Failure to deliver on the actions assigned to People and Technology may
have a direct impact on the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan. It is
essential that remedial action is taken to ensure strategic delivery plans
achieve the commitments detailed and approved.
8 Equalities Impact Assessment
8.1 Screening and impact assessments will be carried out on specific activities as
required.
9 Consultation
9.1 The delivery plans were developed through consultation with officers from the
strategic service areas.
10 Strategic Assessment
10.1 The delivery plans set out actions to support the successful delivery of the
strategic priorities and objectives of the Council.
Chief Officer: Victoria Rogers
Service Area: People and Technology
Date: 9 October 2024
_____________________________________________________________
Person to Contact: Karen Connelly
Performance & Strategy Business Partner
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karen.Connelly@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendices: Appendix 1: People and Technology Delivery Plan
2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
Background Papers: People and Technology Delivery Plan 2024/25 -
Corporate Services Committee, 22 May 2024
Strategic Planning & Performance Framework 2022/27
Wards Affected: All
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1
Appendix 1: People and Technology Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid Year Progress
4. Our Council
Objective 10. Our workforce is resilient and skilled where digital technology supports service delivery for our residents
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator
Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend
Notes Owner
Percentage of ICT helpdesk
incidents fixed with half day
of being logged.
75% 65% 77.9% 65%
Performance exceeded target.
Total Number of Incidents:
Opened 3918. This is a decrease
of 990 Incidents from Q1, due to
implementation of new
technologies and removal of
Citrix. Incidents closed and
resolved in under 3 hrs 35 mins
was 3683.
James
Gallacher
% employee attendance
improvement rate (teachers
& local govt.)
-15% 1% 10.6% 1%
Whilst Q1 missed target, Q2
exceeded target. Across the
Council workforce attendance
has improved by 10.6% when
compared to Q1.  Whilst this can
partly be attributed to lower
levels of absence during the
summer months when
employees are typically on leave,
it is encouraging and will
continue to be closely monitored
into Q3.
Alison
McBride
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2
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress assurance and test plan for Service Plans 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned with Emergency Plans having been
reviewed, issued for consultation, updated and now live. 4 plans
remain outstanding.
Civil contingencies facilitated training for both Council and HSCP
Council Incident Officers (CIOs) and Support Centre Managers
(CSMs).
Scott
McFarlane
Progress and manage the Council`s & HSCPs Business
Continuity Process 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Business Continuity Plans (BCPs)
being updated from 2023, and will require an annual review
(rolling programme).
Scott
McFarlane
Develop a framework for the Council’s Power Resilience
arrangements 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. The Essential Services Power
Resilience document and Assurance Checklists were updated by
the Strategic Resilience Group (SRG) this includes Council and
HSCP Strategic Leads.
A Power Resilience Workshop was facilitated by Civil Contingency
Officer (CCO) and Chief Officer, People & Technology in April. An
Action list will support work towards reducing the impact of a
National Power Outage or a Significant Cyber Attack. Once all
actions are completed, a “real time” exercise will be arranged.
Scott
McFarlane
Further secure the Council’s Technology Infrastructure 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned, ongoing review, investigation and
testing to inform enhanced security and protection.
James
Gallacher
Deliver fit for purpose Bandwidth capacity to all Council
locations 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. 5 sites have now migrated to the
new SWAN2 network with schools reporting immediate
improvements. 28 sites will be completed by Dec 24 and 82 in
total by summer of 2025.
James
Gallacher
Enable an improved digital workplace experience for
council employees 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Technology improvements
continue to progress well and are enhancing the digital workplace
experience for employees. This is due to improvements such as a
new remote access solution and decommission of legacy
technology resulting in 900 fewer ICT incidents being reported in
Q2.
James
Gallacher
Review and implement MS SharePoint and One Drive 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned. SharePoint and One Drive is now
live for Health & Safety with ICT to migrate during October 24.
James
Gallacher
Coordinate ICT device replacement programme. 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Device replacements are
progressing well across corporate and education estate with a low
volume of devices remaining to be replaced from 24/25 budget.
James
Gallacher
Enhance/ expand digital skills champion roles 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Digital Champions (DigiChamps)
receive periodic newsletters to share with their services, and
advance notification of all the Digital Themes activities. DigiChamp
Alison McBride
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3
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
role in supporting rollout of Microsoft 365 will continue to be
developed as pilot evolves.
Develop a plan to further mainstream digital
transformation across the Council 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Digital themes have been designed
and introduced focussing on Putting People First using Intranet
based trickle learning tools for all staff.  The third theme -
Maximising Technology is being delivered and will complete before
the end of November.
Support for pilot project for roll-out of Microsoft 365 collaboration
tools (MS Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) is underway and will be
completed before end of 2024.
Alison McBride
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement wellbeing,
employee engagement, equality and learning and
development plans to enable capabilities, improve
resilience and promotion of a diverse workforce
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area progress includes;
Knowledge sharing and development is taking place across the
service. Focused resource on Voluntary Severance/ Voluntary
Early Retirement (VS/VER) and savings exercise, Staff Working in
Transition and Change (SWITCH) and equalities.
A number of employee benefit initiatives have been launched
including a new Cycle to Work scheme, counselling and My Money
Matters financial advice.  Further developments in the workforce
planning console to support the management of intermittent
absence and stress risk assessment process.
Trickle use continues to be promoted for engagement and there
has been a realignment of the employee recognition awards with
the Council’s ACHIEVE values and this will launch in November
2024.
The ICT customer satisfaction survey was issued in early October
24 and will aid improvements.
Victoria Rogers
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement employee
life cycle plans in line with the People First Strategy to
attract and retain the workforce.
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
A review of the succession planning guidance is underway and is
expected to be rolled out in phases with Phase 1 concentrating on
Chief Office and senior management levels by the end of this year.
Development of career pathway roles and talent pools and
considering different Social Media platforms to reach a wider
audience and diversify the workforce.
Victoria Rogers
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Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
The HR Graduate post development into a temp HR Adviser post
with buddying and mentoring taking place across the teams to
ensure resilience.
Year 2 of the recruitment work plan (onboarding) has commenced
with user research for new employees and recruiting managers.
Workforce Planning: Implement service review process
including role design, use of new technology and new
ways of working to add resilience, address gaps, and
establish opportunities for efficiencies
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
Review of structures, roles and requirements in line with SOM
compliance and phases. 
Job evaluation revised policy and processes now embedding,
strengthening the Council’s position on equal pay and
considerations around role design.
Development of the workforce planning console in terms of trends
and red flags around employee data. Management information
sessions on use of the console by Strategic HR has led to around a
250% increase on average console use.
Review of Data Management provision during Sharepoint
implementation.
Victoria Rogers
Workforce Planning: Develop and implement learning
and development opportunities to improve capabilities
and resilience within the workforce.
31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Of the workforce planning sub
actions agreed within each service area, progress includes;
Digital themes to support pilot project roll-out of M365
collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) are
underway.
Various development initiatives focused on new technologies,
M365 and Remote Access, and Cyber. We continue to progress job
evaluation/analysis, management development and leadership
training.
Victoria Rogers
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Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Workforce Management
System not fit for purpose
There is a risk that the WMS system is
not fit-for-purpose thereby requiring
manual workarounds restricting the level
of automation impacting on efficiencies
25-Sep-2024
This risk remains current due to the
manner in which Frontier deploy
improvements and support the system
development in line with operational
requirement. Officers continue to monitor
and manage this risk.
No change to risk matrix
Arun Menon
Challenges in protecting the
Health and Safety of
Employees and Others
Failure to meet the Council’s duty to
protect the health, safety and welfare of
its employees and other people who
might be affected by its business
02-Aug-2024
Corporate H&S are actively reviewing and
optimising key service areas, including
Safety Management Standards and
training. Changes are underway to the
H&S / Insurance management system to
improve efficiency and reduce turnaround
times for enhancements to the system.
Work is also being carried out to refine
and simplify the health surveillance
process in collaboration with OH and line
managers.
Recent activities include management
workplace inspections, noise monitoring,
H&S auditing, a review of the Corporate
Warning Marker System and significant
work on the management of Hand Arm
Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
Fire safety management includes, the fire
risk assessment programme, fire safety
training and support to services to ensure
compliance with regulatory requirements.
No change to risk matrix
Alison McBride
Complexities in ensuring an
appropriately resourced and
resilient workforce
Failure to ensure that there is an
appropriately resourced and resilient
workforce in place to meet future
organisational needs, in effectively
executing the Council’s 2022-27
Strategic Plan.
02-Aug-2024
Workforce Planning Strategy in place for
2022-2027. People First Strategy is in
place covering 2022-2027 and this is a
consolidation of a number of areas: well-
being, employee engagement, workforce
planning, learning and development and
digital.
A robust package of wellbeing resources
continue to be available, absence levels
are closely monitored, with personal
stress and minor ailments absences
prevalent.
Alison McBride
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6
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Trickle relaunch is ongoing across the
whole of the organisation to ensure this
tool is better used for employee feedback
and engagement with the recent issue of a
Chief Officers pack.
Digital Skills approach has been refreshed
with a matrix cascade planned across the
organisation to support 365 Share point
rollout utilising digital leads and
champions. To further support this the
digital transformation board has been
restructured to focus more on innovation
and with a view to achieving more
pragmatic outcomes such as
understanding service skills gaps, better
use of data and dashboards and more use
of digital tools to improve processes.
Services are currently working on
structures and service delivery whilst
considering the difficult financial funding
position and the impact of this will be
closely supported and monitored.
No change to risk matrix
Threat of Cyber-attack
Data, systems and/or infrastructure are
impacted as result of security attacks
which are increasing in number at a time
when this threat is already placing
demands on resources to deliver
increased levels of security controls.
02-Aug-2024
Cyber strategy, policies and technologies
are continually being improved, reviewed
and monitored; ICT continues to follow
NCSC guidance where applicable.
A new Cyber Security team and lead is
now in place with the focus on promoting
employee awareness to cyber risk from
both a professional and personal
perspective. This is including development
of a dedicated security intranet page to
provide guidance and advice to
employees.
Recent focus has strengthened email mail
security with posture scoring
improvements.
Progress continues to further improve our
M365 security posture in addition to a
review of our disaster recovery planning
and incident management procedures.
James
Gallacher
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7
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Incident response readiness, security gap
analysis and M365 security review has
been completed by our 3rd party security
partner. Results are currently being
reviewed with the aim to agree an
improvement action plan. Cyber Incidents
response plans have been updated and
will be completed during October 24. ICT
are also planning to simulate a Cyber-
attack with assistance from Scottish
Government Digital Office.
Enhanced online email security training is
in progress with continuous phishing
campaigns to raise employee awareness.
There is a continual review of the process
to apply security updates, patches, and
software deployments. Recent
improvements and investment have been
implemented to automate the update
processes where possible.
Geo-blocking to GB remains in place and
the geo-political situation continues to be
monitored. We have now implemented
additional 365 security policies to align
with these security restrictions. This will
be further extended to our new remote
access solution.
No change to risk matrix
Objective 11. Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Undertake annual Payroll Audit 12-Jan-2025
Action progressing as planned. Audit has been issued to all Chief
Officers and HSCP Heads of Service for completion by 8th
November 2024.
Arun Menon
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8
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Implement statutory Payroll changes 31-May-2024 Action complete. All statutory changes such as Tax and NI have
been implemented for 2024/25. Arun Menon
Implement revised team structure and service
provision 30-Sep-2024 Action complete. This was achieved through removal of tasks
which have been actioned and communicated. Arun Menon
Review and update Fit For Future approach 31-Mar-2025
Action complete. Following review, the approach this year will
concentrating on digital champions, skills and improvements
alongside supporting SharePoint rollout which will ensure services
are efficient and that we make the best use of our resources. 
Alison McBride
Continue to embed sound H&S practice 31-Mar-2025 Action progressing as planned. Corporate H&S are continuing to
meet targets set out in the Operational Plan. Alison McBride
Implement improvements in recruitment life cycle
processes 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing. Review of project plan has taken place and
prioritised actions to progress over 2024/25. Progress has been
made in reviewing succession planning guidance for future talent
resources. Progress has been limited due to limited resources and
conflicting priorities.
Alison McBride
Maintain and monitor employee wellbeing, engagement
and workforce planning 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Employee awards have now been
refreshed in line with the Achieve values framework and launch is
planned. The first ceremony will take place in May 2025. The
intranet page is currently being updated to prepare for the launch
and Senior Management Network session was held to introduce
the new employee award framework. Further work is required
around the console development and job profiles.
Alison McBride
Review and enhance employee skills and learning
programme 31-Mar-2025
Action progressing as planned. Mandatory training information for
teams has now been made available to Managers on the console.
Access to the national M365 skills hub has been granted and
joining instructions are being developed. The Pilot M365 is
underway and additional training resources and opportunities will
be available to employees as M365 is rolled out.
Alison McBride
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
Keeping abreast of
developments in the
innovative use of
Information Technologies
Failure to keep pace with changing
technology environment 02-Aug-2024
WDC is continuing to implement several
technology transformation projects with a
focus on delivering an improved and
secure digital workplace experience for
council employees. Delivery of a new
secure remote access solution is now
complete for employees and additional
James
Gallacher
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9
Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
tasks are ongoing to provide separate
access for suppliers and 3rd party users
such as NHS employees.
Modern Desktop projects are progressing
well with end-of-life storefront technology
being replaced with improved and
consistent local access to the latest
desktop applications for users. Laptop
devices are now secured and controlled
via the Microsoft cloud and are also
imaged offsite by our supplier. A project
to redesign the process to updates devices
with windows updates and security
patching is ongoing with the aim to reduce
disruption to employees.
ICT continue to embrace and research
new technologies and maximise our
existing investments. MS SharePoint is
now live for H&S team with ICT to migrate
during October 24. Phase 2 of the project
will deploy SharePoint to remaining
council services from January 25 onwards.
All corporate email mailboxes have now
migrated to the cloud with Education
being scheduled for completion during
October 24.
ICT in conjunction with NHS are
progressing cross organisation projects
with access to WDC Wi-Fi now available in
3 NHS buildings. NHS employees are now
accessing NHS Wi-Fi in Church Street with
additional file access to follow.
New firewall technology has been ordered
and installation being planned, this project
will increase data capacity throughput at
our data centre and provide enhanced
security. This new technology will ensure
we are secure and allow increased
bandwidth speeds to be delivered as part
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Risk Description Current
Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner
of our Scottish Wide Area Network project
to improve bandwidth at all council sites.
No change to Risk matrix.
Action Status
Overdue
Not on track
In Progress and on track
Completed
PI Status
Target significantly missed
Target narrowly missed
Target met or exceeded
Risk Status
Alert
High risk
Warning
OK
Long Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
Short Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer - Regulatory & Regeneration
Committee: Corporate Services Committee 6 November 2024
Subject:Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
1 Purpose
1.1 This report sets out the mid-year progress of the Regulatory & Regeneration
Delivery Plan 2024/25.
2 Recommendations
2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes the progress achieved at mid-year.
3 Background
3.1 In line with the Strategic Planning & Performance Framework, each Chief
Officer develops an annual Delivery Plan which sets out actions to help deliver
the Strategic Plan and address the performance challenges and service
priorities identified in the planning process. The Plan also provides an
overview of services and resources, including employees and budgets, sets
out the performance indicators (PIs) for monitoring progress and considers the
relevant risks.
3.2 The Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2024/25 was presented to
Corporate Services Committee on 22 May 2024 with a commitment to report
mid-year progress and year-end progress in November 2024 and May 2025
respectively.
4 Main Issues
4.1 Full details of mid-year progress are set out in Appendix 1.
4.2 The progress of the Plan’s 29 actions is summarised below:
Progress No. (%)
Completed 3 (10%)
In progress and on track 25 (86%)
Delayed 1 (3%)
4.3 There are no overdue or cancelled actions at mid-year.
4.4 The delayed action relates to the following, with further details set out in the
appendix:
 Identify premises which sell Vapes to underage children and conduct
integrity testing where required.
ITEM 10
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4.5      Five of the Plan’s 23 PIs are monitored quarterly and a further four are
monitored half-yearly. Performance is summarised below, based on all data
available at this time.
Performance Against Target Q1 Q2 H1
Target significantly missed 1 1 0
Target narrowly missed 0 0 0
Target met or exceeded 4 2 1
Value not yet available 0 2 3
Total No. of PIs 5 5 4
4.6 The significantly missed targets relate to the following PIs, with further details
set out in the appendix:
 Percentage of contract award notices published within 30 calendar days
from award letter being sent; and
 Percentage of Council and Committee minutes produced within 3 clear
working days of the meeting.
5 People Implications
5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report.
6 Financial & Procurement Implications
6.1 There are no direct financial or procurement implications arising from this
report.
7 Risk Analysis
7.1 Failure to deliver on the actions assigned to Regulatory & Regeneration may
have a direct impact on the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan. It is
essential that remedial action is taken to ensure strategic delivery plans
achieve the commitments detailed and approved.
8 Equalities Impact Assessment
8.1 Screening and impact assessments will be carried out on specific activities as
required.
9 Consultation
9.1 The delivery plans were developed through consultation with officers from the
strategic service areas.
10 Strategic Assessment
10.1 The delivery plans set out actions to support the successful delivery of the
strategic priorities and objectives of the Council.
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Chief Officer: Alan Douglas
Service Area: Regulatory & Regeneration
Date: 17 October 2024
_____________________________________________________________
Person to Contact: Lynn Henderson
lynn.henderson@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendices: Appendix 1: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan
2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
Background Papers: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2024/25 -
Corporate Services Committee, 22 May 2024
Strategic Planning & Performance Framework 2022/27
Wards Affected: All
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1
Appendix 1: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
1. Our communities
Our residents’ health and wellbeing remains a priority
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Scope out the next phase of the
Shaping Places for Wellbeing
Programme and how the health
and wellbeing and reduction of
inequalities outcomes can be
taken forward
31-Mar-
2025
Progress on this action has been impacted by vacancies
within the service, including service manager. This post
is now filled and discussions are taking place with the
Places for Wellbeing Partnership lead to take forward
this action.
Michael
Mulgrew
Undertake proactive weights and
measures work in a variety of retail
premises, with a specific focus on
everyday food and necessities
such as heating fuel and petroleum
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. This work continues, with
officers routinely undertaking weights and measures
checks in a variety of different premises. UK wide
research suggests that local authorities across the UK all
reported a rise in 'short weight' transactions for the year
2023/24 which confirms that this work is still of value.
Annemarie
Clelland
Identify premises which sell vapes
to underage children and conduct
integrity testing where required
31-Mar-
2025
Premises that continue to sell vapes to children have
been identified, with one moving out of the area following
disrupt techniques including a Tobacco Banning Order,
granted in May 2024, repeated visits by Trading
Standards Officers to the premises and some joint
working with other agencies. However, we continue to
have problems recruiting volunteers of the correct age,
hence the delay at mid-year. This may also impact the
completion of this action at year-end. In addition, Trading
Standards staffing levels continues to be an issue with
this work.
Annemarie
Clelland
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2
2. Our Environment
Our resources are used in an environmentally sustainable way
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Co-ordinate, monitor and report
the progress of the Council’s
Climate Change Action Plan for
2024/25
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. A detailed delivery plan for
2024/25 has now been added to our performance
management system, setting out actions and milestones.
Delivery of this plan is monitored on an ongoing basis
and formally on a quarterly basis by the Climate Change
Action Group.
Rachel Moir
Develop a Local Heat and Energy
Efficiency Strategy and Delivery
Plan
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Public consultation on the draft
strategy closed in June 2024. The strategy, with outline
delivery plan, was published at the end of September
2024. Work is ongoing to develop a detailed delivery
plan, with publication due March 2025.
Rachel Moir
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Inability to
reduce carbon
footprint in line
with targets
The risk that the Council will be unable to
achieve net zero emissions by 2045, both in
relation to mitigating carbon emissions and
adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Net zero refers to achieving an overall
balance between emissions produced and
emissions taken out of the atmosphere. This
target has been developed in a way that
mirrors the emission reduction trajectory set
by the Scottish Government in light of the
Climate Emergency.
26-Sep-
2024
The risk of non-delivery of
carbon emissions targets
remains moderate. Progress
is being made through the
delivery of the Climate
Change Action Plan, however,
pace of delivery has been,
and will continue to be,
impeded due to a lack of
internal resource and
additional funding to deliver.
Gillian
McNamara
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3
Our neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Promote the next phase of Queens
Quay Housing
31-Mar-
2025
Under the terms of the Joint Venture agreement, the
owner and agent of Queens Quay are responsible for the
commercial discussions on future housing development.
The Council meets with the owner and agent regularly to
review progress. There is some frustration, and also
some valid reasons, for lack of progress but options to
accelerate progress are being considered.
Alan
Douglas;
Gillian
McNamara
3. Our Economy
Our area has the infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive growth where businesses can flourish
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Number of businesses
given advice and
assistance to start up
through Business
Gateway
47 45 56 45
Q1 and Q2 targets
exceeded and on track
to meet year-end
target.
Gillian Scholes
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Implement, monitor and report the
progress of the 2024/25 Economic
Development Action Plan
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. The Action Plan, which relates
to the Economic Development Strategy 2022-27 and
provides the annual direction for the Regeneration and
Business Support teams, is progressing as planned.
Gillian
McNamara
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4
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Deliver key regeneration sites
across West Dunbartonshire
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Key regeneration sites across
the Council area include the three town centres, and the
strategic sites of Queens Quay, Exxon and the Carless
site. Milestones relating to the Scottish Marine
Technology Park, Exxon Infrastructure Project and our
three town centres are progressing as planned and due
for completion in the second half of the year.
Gillian
McNamara
Ensure regeneration sites are
progressed to enable high quality
development to be achieved on the
ground
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Remains a key service priority.
Recruitment under way to vacant Placemaking Co-
Ordinator and Development Planning Team Leader
posts. Recruitment to also take place to fill vacant Lead
Planner Post to support delivery of development.
Michael
Mulgrew
Monitor the development of the
key regeneration sites to ensure
they comply with the approved
consent
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Recruitment of vacancies within
the planning teams is underway which will support the
delivery of the key sites and a monitoring regime to be
undertaken.
Michael
Mulgrew
Explore commercial opportunities
in our town centres and wider
regeneration sites
31-Mar-
2025
Completed. Artizan masterplan planning application was
submitted in July. The Long Term Plan and the
accompanying 3 Year Investment Plan have been mostly
completed and reviewed by the Town Board. Some final
edits remain before the plans are submitted to the UK
Government in October/November.
Magda
Swider
Develop and implement business
support interventions through the
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. UK Shared Prosperity Fund
interventions have been developed and widely promoted
through the Council website, social media, partner
organisations and directly to eligible businesses. The
Business Support team are continuing to promote the
grant support and appraise applications.
Gillian
Scholes
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5
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Support town centre revitalisation 31-Mar-
2025 Progressing as planned with projects on track. Magda
Swider
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to
deliver Queens
Quay
Masterplan
Following completion of Council
investment there is a risk the
housing plot sales do not
materialise in the next 3-7 years,
with implications for the return
on investment and the business
case for the District Heating
Network.
20-Sep-
2024
Risk remains unchanged. Focus
continues on landowner agreeing
a housing proposal with the
developer. Delivery embedded
into planning workstreams to
promote development at site.
Gillian
McNamara;
Michael
Mulgrew
Inability to meet
demands of
Council to
progress
regeneration
projects within
desired
timescales
The number and complexity of
regeneration projects is putting
considerable strain on the
resources available which can
be exacerbated by delays out
with the control of the service
and when pinch points on
different projects occur at
roughly the same time.
20-Sep-
2024
Risk remains unchanged.
Individual projects continue to
progress, reducing the likelihood
of undesirable outcomes.
Embedded into planning
workstreams to ensure sufficient
resource to support delivery of
projects within required
timescales.
Michael
McDougall;
Gillian
McNamara;
Michael
Mulgrew
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6
4. Our Council
Our workforce is resilient and skilled where digital technology supports service delivery for our residents
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement wellbeing, employee
engagement, equality, and
learning and development plans to
enable capabilities, improve
resilience and promote a diverse
workforce
31-Mar-
2025 Progressing as planned across services. Alan
Douglas
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement employee life cycle
plans in line with the People First
Strategy to attract and retain the
workforce
31-Mar-
2025 Progressing as planned across services. Alan
Douglas
Workforce Planning: Implement
service review process including
role design, use of new
technology, and new ways of
working to add resilience, address
gaps, and establish opportunities
for efficiencies
31-Mar-
2025 Progressing as planned across services. Alan
Douglas
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement learning and
development plans and
development opportunities to
improve capabilities and resilience
within the workforce
31-Mar-
2025 Progressing as planned across services. Alan
Douglas
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7
Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Percentage of contract
award notices published
within 30 calendar days
from award letter being
sent
57.1% 100% 100%
In Q1, four of seven contract
award notices were published
within the target time period,
with the remaining three
missing the deadline due to
factors out with the Council’s
control. These included delays
in returning contract
documentation to the Council
and an extended standstill
period (i.e. time for suppliers to
request further feedback or
any concerns around the
evaluation process).
Q2 data available mid-
November.
Laura
Adams;
Angus
Cameron
Percentage of building
warrant applications
responded to within 20
working days
97% 95% 95%
Q1 target met. Agency staff
helped maintain good
performance in Q1, although
expecting a dip in Q2 due to
staff absences.
Q2 data available early
November. Service currently
relies on agency support due
to hard to fill vacancies.
Judi
Ferguson
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8
H1 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Cash savings achieved
from procurement
activity
£1,253,645
£400,000
(year-end
target)
Target exceeded. Cash savings from procurement
activity in the first half of 2024/25 exceeded the
annual target due to a large contract being put in
place for the Provision of Multi-Function Devices and
results from other tender activities.
Laura Adams;
Angus
Cameron
Planning applications
(major developments) -
average number of
weeks to decision
16 Data for the first half of the year available November. Michael
Mulgrew
Planning applications
(householder) - average
number of weeks to
decision
8 Data for the first half of the year available November. Michael
Mulgrew
Planning applications
(local development,
excluding householder)
- average number of
weeks to decision
12 Data for the first half of the year available November. Michael
Mulgrew
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Monitor and review the impact of
budget savings
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. The impact of budget savings
on services continues to be monitored on an on-going
basis.
Alan
Douglas
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9
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Provide legal services to the
Council and West Dunbartonshire
Energy Limited Liability
Partnership (LLP) in relation to
heat supply agreements and
network supply contracts
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Legal services are providing
advice to the Council and West Dunbartonshire LLP in
relation to connecting a new client to the network.
Michael
McDougall
Continue to provide high quality
and timely legal support across all
Council services
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Support has been provided to
all Council services as well as the Health & Social Care
Partnership and the Leisure Trust in relation to a number
of matters that contribute towards the Council's strategic
priorities as well as protecting the Council's interests in a
range of matters. For example:
 facilitating the progress of the regeneration project at
ExxonMobil site in Bowling
 completing the sale of the Playdrome site in
Clydebank and
 advising on a complex and novel agreement with
Glasgow City Council in relation to co-operation
towards net zero.
Michael
McDougall
Continue to develop the 20-minute
mapping tool for use at both local
and regional levels
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Previously vacant Geographic
Information System Officer post has now been filled and
recruitment underway to vacant Placemaking Co-
Ordinator and Development Planning posts. Once posts
are filled, the three posts will work together to continue
the development of this tool.
Michael
Mulgrew
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10
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Develop the Connecting the
Antonine Wall project – Phase 2
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Various workstreams completed
including a community map and storytelling case study
project. Funding application being prepared to the
National Heritage Lottery Fund to support programmes
to engage, empower and build capacity with
communities, improve wellbeing and improve access to
the wall. 
Phase 2 has been renamed from Reimagining the
Antonine Wall to better reflect the project that is now
being developed.
Michael
Mulgrew
Prepare a robust evidence report
for submission for Gatecheck to
Scottish Government Planning and
Environmental Appeals Division
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. This action is currently on track
and public consultation was completed at the end of
September.
Michael
Mulgrew
Promote and support communities
in the preparation of Local Place
Plans
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Funding is in place and
available to communities and a Local Place Plan "Easy
Read" guide has been produced in partnership with
Planning Aid Scotland. Level of financial support is under
review to encourage further uptake (from within existing
resources).
Michael
Mulgrew
Develop a plan to ensure
compliance with the Building
Standards Service is implemented
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Work program is under way and
tied to a national review of Building Standards Operating
and Performance Frameworks.
Michael
Mulgrew
Provide procurement advice,
guidance and support on non-
complex procurement for low
contractual risk projects
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned with support provided to service
areas as and when required.
Laura
Adams;
Angus
Cameron
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11
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Continue to implement the key
deliverables from the Procurement
Improvement Plan
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. New guidance for services has
been produced and agreed in relation to direct awards
over £50,000. Further milestones are on track for
completion in the second half of the year including
improvements to on-line guidance and forms and a
review of opportunities as part of the contract strategy /
tender in relation to the growth of suppliers through the
electronic e-invoicing platform.
Laura
Adams;
Angus
Cameron
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to monitor and
enforce regulatory
areas with public risk
The Council fails to
comply with statutory
regulatory duties in
respect of
environmental health,
trading standards and
licensing laws 
18-Sep-
2024
The risk assessment remains unchanged
and low due to mitigating actions.
Licensing Standards Officers continue to
engage in a pro-active programme of
inspections. Reactive work is driven by
complaints and applications received.
They also engage with the Society of
Local Authority Lawyers, Licensing Forum
and other bodies to assist with horizon
scanning to identify emerging issues.
Within Trading Standards, low staffing
numbers and competing priorities
continue to put pressure on the service.
However, workloads are prioritised to
ensure this is minimised. Our high-risk
routine inspections continue, as does our
reactive work into complaints and
intelligence received but other areas of
proactive work prove difficult to complete.
Annemarie
Clelland;
Michael
McDougall;
John
Stevenson
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12
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to adequately
respond to an
emergency situation
such as a multiple
fatality workplace
accident, outbreak of
food borne
communicable
disease, a major public
health incident or
pandemic
There is a national
shortage of qualified staff
in Environmental Health
across Scotland. This
impacts on West
Dunbartonshire Council.
Vacancy levels at the
Council might impact our
ability to respond to
emergencies. 
18-Sep-
2024
The risk remains unchanged. Interim
management arrangements remain in
place for the Environmental Health
Manager's post. We will reassess once
the new structure is implemented
following budget savings proposal.
John
Stevenson
Inability to recruit
successfully to enable
performance to be
maintained
There is a current issue
with recruitment of
qualified staff in various
parts of the service.
18-Sep-
2024
A skills shortage still remains across
Environmental Health, Building
Standards, and Planning. Embedded into
service workstreams to review vacancies
and hard to fill posts.
Michael
Mulgrew;
John
Stevenson
Failure to secure best
value of procurement
spend and ensure
compliance with
financial regulations
Improved procurement
management process,
contract strategies,
planning, monitoring and
reporting in collaboration
with services will continue
to mitigate against non-
compliant procurement
spend.
19-Sep-
2024
There are a number of actions and
strategies in place to deliver best value in
procurement. However, transferring low
complexity procurement to service areas
when utilising a framework agreement
could increase the risk. The risk
assessment therefore remains high.
Between now and year-end, further
training and guidance for services will
mitigate this risk further.
Laura
Adams;
Angus
Cameron
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13
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to continue to
achieve increased
savings from
procurement activity
As second or third
generation revenue
contracts seldom deliver
the same cost savings as
first generation, the
contract strategies need
to focus on governance,
operating models, total
cost of ownership, service
quality and innovation
19-Sep-
2024
Reduction in staff due to Council
measures to address the budget gap and
global supply chain issues that impact
directly on price means that risks to
savings will increase.
Laura
Adams;
Angus
Cameron
Our residents are engaged and empowered
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Percentage of Council
and Committee minutes
produced within 3 clear
working days of the
meeting
100% 98% 80% 98%
While the Q1 target was
met, minutes for two out
of ten meetings in Q2
were not produced within
3 working days due to
annual leave during the
summer period.
Carol-Ann
Burns
Percentage of committee
agendas published within
standing order timescales
100% 99% 100% 99%
Both Q1 and Q2 targets
met with all committee
agendas published within
standing order
timescales.
Carol-Ann
Burns
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14
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Implement the various
requirements of the Elections Act
2022 in time for the UK
parliamentary Elections in 2024
31-Mar-
2025
Completed. All requirements of the Elections Act 2022
were completed in time for the election.
George
Hawthorn
Organise and implement the UK
General Election for the new West
Dunbartonshire Constituency
31-Mar-
2025
Completed. Election organised and implemented
successfully.
George
Hawthorn
Action Status
Delayed
In Progress and on track
Completed
PI Status
Target significantly missed
Target met or exceeded
Risk Status
Warning
OK
Long Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
Short Term Trends
Improving
No change
Declining
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer - Resources
Committee: Corporate Services Committee 6 November 2024
Subject:Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
1 Purpose
1.1 This report sets out the mid-year progress of the Resources Delivery Plan
2024/25.
2 Recommendations
2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes the progress achieved at mid-year.
3 Background
3.1 In line with the Strategic Planning & Performance Framework, each Chief
Officer develops an annual Delivery Plan which sets out actions to help deliver
the Strategic Plan and address the performance challenges and service
priorities identified in the planning process. The Plan also provides an
overview of services and resources, including employees and budgets, sets
out the performance indicators (PIs) for monitoring progress and considers the
relevant risks.
3.2 The Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25 was presented to Corporate Services
Committee on 22 May 2024 with a commitment to report mid-year progress
and year-end progress in November 2024 and May 2025 respectively.
4 Main Issues
4.1 Full details of mid-year progress are set out in Appendix 1.
4.2 The progress of the Plan’s 18 actions is summarised below:
Progress No. (%)
Completed 2 (11%)
In progress and on track 14 (78%)
Overdue 1 (6%)
Cancelled 1 (6%)
4.3 The overdue action relates to the following, with further details set out in the
appendix:
 Complete the Internal Audit & Corporate Fraud Plan 2023/24 and report to
Audit Committee as part of the Annual Assurance Statement.
ITEM 11
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4.4 The cancelled action relates to the following, with further details set out in the
appendix:
 Incorporate Earmarked Reserve spend through the Ledger. While
preparatory work has been completed, this action will be implemented at a
later date once the new Financial Management System is in place.
4.5      Six of the Plan’s 19 PIs are monitored quarterly. Performance is summarised
below.
Performance Against Target Q1 Q2
Target significantly missed 0 0
Target narrowly missed 2 1
Target met or exceeded 4 5
Total No. of PIs 6 6
5 People Implications
5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report.
6 Financial & Procurement Implications
6.1 There are no direct financial or procurement implications arising from this
report.
7 Risk Analysis
7.1 Failure to deliver on the actions assigned to Resources may have a direct
impact on the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan. It is essential that
remedial action is taken to ensure strategic delivery plans achieve the
commitments detailed and approved.
8 Equalities Impact Assessment
8.1 Screening and impact assessments will be carried out on specific activities as
required.
9 Consultation
9.1 The delivery plans were developed through consultation with officers from the
strategic service areas.
10 Strategic Assessment
10.1 The delivery plans set out actions to support the successful delivery of the
strategic priorities and objectives of the Council.
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Chief Officer: Laurence Slavin
Service Area: Resources
Date: 17 October 2024
_____________________________________________________________
Person to Contact: Lynn Henderson
lynn.henderson@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendices: Appendix 1: Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid-year
Progress
Background Papers: Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Corporate Services
Committee, 22 May 2024
Strategic Planning & Performance Framework 2022/27
Wards Affected: All
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1
Appendix 1: Resources Delivery Plan 2024/25 - Mid-year Progress
1. Our Communities
Our residents are supported to increase life and learning skills
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress the redevelopment of
Glencairn House
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Project currently on programme
to be delivered on the contractual completion date. 
Handover of the refurbished facility will take place April
2025.
Michelle
Lynn
2. Our Environment
Our neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Progress the building upgrades
programme
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. A number of projects are
complete as per programme. The progress of the
building upgrades programme is reflected in the
performance of the associated PIs including the
proportion of operational buildings that are suitable for
their current use, the proportion of internal floor area of
operational buildings in satisfactory condition, and the
percentage of council buildings in which all public areas
are suitable for and accessible to people with a disability,
all of which met or exceeded targets at year-end
2023/24. We also continue to perform favourably against
other local authorities.
Michelle
Lynn
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2
3. Our Economy
Our area has the infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive growth where businesses can flourish
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Number of invoices paid
within 30 calendar days of
receipt as a percentage of
all invoices paid
91.3% 91% 92.4% 91% Q1 and Q2 targets
met.
Ryan
Chalmers
Our partnerships support economic development to deliver increased prosperity for our area
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Time for processing
applications for new
Housing Benefits claims
from application receipt
date to day claim is
decided
22 23 19.8 23
Q1 and Q2 targets met
despite the increased
contact due to
migration to universal
credits for customers.
Ryan
Chalmers
Time for processing
applications for
notifications of changes of
circumstances for
Housing Benefits from the
application receipt date to
the day the claim is
decided
4.66 5 5 5
Q1 and Q2 targets met
despite the increased
contact due to
migration to universal
credits for customers
Ryan
Chalmers
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3
4. Our Council
Our workforce is resilient and skilled where digital technology supports service delivery for our residents
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement wellbeing, employee
engagement, equality, and
learning and development plans to
enable capabilities, improve
resilience and promote a diverse
workforce
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. A temporary structure change is
to be implemented in the Finance team which will
provide career development opportunities and support
the service on a longer-term workforce planning basis.
Within Asset Management, we are looking at a growing
your own initiative to develop staff. Business Support
continue to support staff through a fully flexible approach
to working and Internal Audit and Fraud are currently
considering their structure to provide for a more
structured career pathway.
Laurence
Slavin
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement employee life cycle
plans in line with the People First
Strategy to attract and retain the
workforce
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. The temporary structure change
to be implemented in the Finance team and
consideration of the future structure in the Internal Audit
and Fraud teams will provide career development and
pathway opportunities. The Automation team will
continue to engage with services to identify opportunities
to automate tasks which will free up resource and
provide for greater job satisfaction.
Laurence
Slavin
Workforce Planning: Implement
service review process including
role design, use of new
technology, and new ways of
working to add resilience, address
gaps, and establish opportunities
for efficiencies
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. The revised Finance and
Internal Audit and Fraud structures will add greater
resilience and reduce single points of dependency.  We
continue to work with colleagues in Business Support
and Information Technology in relation to opportunities
for automation and embracing new technology.
Laurence
Slavin
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4
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Workforce Planning: Develop and
implement learning and
development plans and
development opportunities to
improve capabilities and resilience
within the workforce
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. The revised Finance and
Internal Audit and Fraud structures will provide for
development opportunities and greater resilience. The
Business Support team work closely with the Council’s
digital team to explore new ways of working and have
also worked with colleagues in Housing to improve
efficiencies in debt recovery.
Laurence
Slavin
Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
Percentage of income
due from council tax
received by the end of the
year
29.5% 28% 54.5% 53%
Q1 and Q2 targets met
and meeting arranged
with debt partners to
review cases of non-
payment to continue
increase in collection
rate.
Ryan
Chalmers
Current tenants' arrears
as a percentage of total
rent due
11.1% 10.5% 10.4% 10.5%
Ambitious target not met
in Q1 due to impact of
cost of living on tenants.
Contact from tenants not
in debt has increased as
they look for support and
those on arrangements
are struggling to maintain
at the level originally set.
Arrangements reviewed
Ryan
Chalmers
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5
Q1 2024/25 Q2 2024/25
Performance Indicator Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Status Value Target Short
Trend
Long
Trend Note Owner
to ensure they are
manageable but also
cover charges as
required.
Performance improved in
Q2 and target met.
Gross rent arrears (all
tenants) as at 31 March
each year as a
percentage of rent due for
the reporting year
10.1% 9.3% 9.9% 9.3%
While ambitious targets
weren’t met, performance
improved in Q2. Arrears
have been impacted due
to the cost of living on
tenants. Contact from
tenants not in debt has
increased as they look for
support and those on
arrangements are
struggling to maintain at
the level originally set. 
Arrangements reviewed
to ensure they are
manageable but also
cover charges as
required.
Ryan
Chalmers
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6
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Review ways of decreasing
corporate debt through continued
improvements to debt collection
processes in relation to sundry,
non-domestic rates, Council Tax
and rent
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Reviewed the process between
Housing and Corp Debt, in relation to rent collection and
progressing the remaining milestones within action plan
to meet completion dates in second half of year.
Ryan
Chalmers
Review ways to improve rent
collection rates in conjunction with
Housing and W4U
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Reviewed processes between
Housing and Corp Debt and also between Department
for Work & Pensions and Council in relation to Universal
Credit and Alternative Payment Arrangements. 
Remaining milestones in action plan are all on target to
meet completion dates.
Ryan
Chalmers
Maximise automation opportunities
across the Council
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. New idea for automation
explored and added to the pipeline. Existing builds
progress well, albeit some delayed due to change in
scope mid-way and some down to the complexity of
automations. Chatbot project progressing well and new
ideas being implemented.
Arun Menon
Commence the introduction of a
supported Financial Management
System for implementation in
2025/26
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Surveyed local authorities in
Scotland and reviewed responses to understand ledger
systems currently in use. The next stage is a scoping
and needs assessment to define and document the
system requirements.
Carol
Alderson;
Arun Menon
Incorporate Earmarked Reserve
spend through the Ledger
31-Mar-
2025
While preparatory work has been completed, this action
will be implemented once the new Financial
Management System is in place.
The Period 3 Budgetary Control Reports submitted to
Council in August provided a more transparent approach
to reporting the Earmarked Reserve spend.
Carol
Alderson
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7
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Review the Common Good Fund 31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Community groups who
currently benefit from Common Good Fund grants have
been asked to reapply. Once received, applications will
be reviewed and grant awards agreed. 
Carol
Alderson
Progress the disposal of key
strategic sites
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Capital receipts on programme
to deliver anticipated income.
Michelle
Lynn
Progress the depot refurbishment
programme
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned. Consultants engaged in relation
to new build garage design, project board has been
reconvened, and amended scope has commenced with
service areas.
Michelle
Lynn
Develop and implement plans and
support services to achieve the
asset related options agreed by
Council
31-Mar-
2025
Progressing as planned with all actions on target to
assist delivery of savings across a number of service
areas.
Michelle
Lynn
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Debt is not
recovered
efficiently or
effectively, with
inherent risk of
financial loss
The processes deployed in
collection of monies owed to
the Council are inefficient and
ineffective resulting in money
not collected on time or having
to be written off.
26-Sep-
2024
Effectively implement the Corporate
Debt Policy and ensure income
maximisation in collaboration with
W4U. Improvements to automation of
collecting debt to be implemented.
Ryan
Chalmers
Increase in the
level of rent
arrears due to the
level of Welfare
Reform changes
The Council sees an increase
in its level of rent arrears due
to lower disposable income
and national changes to the
national benefits regime and
the ongoing economic position.
26-Sep-
2024
The risk of an increase in rent arrears
is due to the current cost of living
that's linked to increasing energy
costs, food costs and inflation.
Financial support and advice are
provided to those impacted by the
Ryan
Chalmers
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8
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
and general state
of economy
cost of living with arrangements being
reviewed as appropriate.
Maintaining
Council Assets
that are fit for
purpose
The risk that the Council's
assets and facilities are not
fully fit for purpose with
consequent adverse impact on
our ability to deliver efficient
and effective services. Assets
included in this assessment
are the Council’s property
portfolio.
19-Sep-
2024
The risk score remains low due to the
ongoing capital programme of works
on operational buildings.
Michelle
Lynn
Strong financial governance and sustainable budget management (Service Objective)
Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner
Prepare and submit draft Annual
Governance Statement for
2023/24 to the Audit Committee
30-Jun-
2024
Completed. Report submitted to Audit Committee 12 June
2024. 
Andi
Priestman
Continue to improve and deliver
the Assurance Statement for
2023/24 to support the Annual
Governance Statement
30-Jun-
2024
Completed. Report submitted to Audit Committee 12 June
2024. 
Andi
Priestman
Complete the Internal Audit &
Corporate Fraud Plan 2023/24 and
report to Audit Committee as part
of the Annual Assurance
Statement
31-Aug-
2024
Due to reduced staff resources for several months, the due
date for this action has been extended from 31 August to
31 December 2024. A progress report was submitted to
Audit Committee in August with a further report due in
December, outlining final progress on the 2023/24 Plan and
setting out the audits planned for the current year, 2024/25.
Andi
Priestman
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9
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Failure to
provide
assurance of
the system of
financial
controls
Internal Audit is unable to provide
assurances on the Council's
financial control environment
19-Sep-
2024
Internal Audit Annual Report for
2023/24 was presented to Audit
Committee in June 2024.
Andi
Priestman
Failure to meet
statutory
deadlines for
external
returns
(including
HMRC) and
financial
statements
Finance Services failing to meet
statutory deadlines resulting in
lost revenue or penalty costs
12-Sep-
2024
The current assessment remains
unchanged from year-end. While the
risk remains high due to staff turnover
and issues with business continuity,
there are a range of controls in place
to mitigate it.
Carol
Alderson
Financial
projections are
significantly
incorrect
Financial projections for both
capital and revenue are
significantly incorrect resulting in
insufficient reserves being held.
12-Sep-
2024
Information on projections is updated
on an ongoing basis. However, with
the volatility of the economy, inflation
and bank interest rates, the figures
are changing regularly. The Council's
Chief Financial Officer engages
regularly with the Directors of Finance
across all 32 Scottish Councils to
sense check material assumptions in
financial forecasts. Furthermore, there
is regular engagement with the
Council's appointed Treasury advisors
in relation to projected future changes
to bank interest rates.
Laurence
Slavin
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10
Risk Description Current
Assessment
Target
Assessment
Date
Reviewed Note Owner
Significant
financial
funding
reductions /
limitations
from Scottish
Government
It is expected that the Council will
continue to be faced with
significant real term funding
reductions from the Scottish
Government settlement. This is
based on local government
settlements in recent years and
an ongoing narrative about limited
funds available to support public
services. This coincides with a
period where costs are continuing
to rise in relation to social care,
significant inflationary increases,
the impact of increases in the
bank interest rate on the cost of
borrowing and pay award
pressures linked to inflation.
Whilst there are ongoing
discussions between the Scottish
Government and Local
Government on reducing the ring
fencing of funding, the reality is
that material elements of funding
remains ring fenced which
significantly restricts how the
Council can most effectively use
the funds made available to it.
12-Sep-
2024
Assumptions on future Scottish
Government funding and other
material budget assumptions are
updated regularly and reported to
Council periodically throughout the
year. It is expected that future Scottish
Government funding will be
insufficient to pay for current levels of
service delivery. Furthermore, it is
expected that future local government
settlements will be a real terms
reduction in local government funding.
Laurence
Slavin
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11
Action Status
Cancelled
Overdue
In progress and on track
Completed
PI Status
Target narrowly missed
Target met or exceeded
Risk Status
Alert
Warning
OK
Long Term Trends
Improving
Declining
Short Term Trends
Improving
Declining
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by the - Chief Officer of Regulatory and Regeneration
Corporate Services Committee 6 Nov 2024
____________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/2025
1. Purpose
1.1 To seek Committee approval of the Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/2025.
(Appendix 1). 
2. Recommendations
2.1      It is recommended that the committee approve the Food Enforcement Service Plan
2024/2025
3. Background
3.1     The Food Law Code of Practice requires that each Food Authority must complete an
annual Food Enforcement Service Plan which details their food enforcement interventions
programme for the coming year.  Such a programme requires to be adequately resourced
and the Food Enforcement Service Plan requires to be subject to approval at the
appropriate governance level within each Local Authority.
3.2      Local Authority delivery of Food Law and Official Controls is an essential part of
Scotland’s infrastructure for Public Health protection. The Food Law Code of Practice
sets out how Food Standards Scotland and Local Authorities will work in partnership to
discharge their statutory duties and help maintain consumer confidence in the regulation
of the food supply chain in Scotland. 
4. Main Issues
4.1     The Environmental Health Service’s Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/25 describes
how the food enforcement service is discharged and details the numbers, types and
priority ratings of the Council’s food premises, the frequency of planned interventions,
sampling programmes, reactive work, including responding to food complaints, food
hazard warnings and investigation of infectious diseases. The plan contains information
on proposals for the undertaking of the Environmental Health Service’s statutory duties in
2024/25
4.2 In common with a number of other professional groups in local government there are
significant issues with the recruitment and training of Environmental Health Officers. This
has led to a focus from Food Standards Scotland on the ability of Councils to carry out
their obligations under the Code of Practice with some authorities which have significant
staffing issues receiving red ratings in audits. This is not currently an issue in West
Dunbartonshire, however the last Food Standards Scotland audit was carried out in 2018.
4.3     The Food Enforcement Service Plan helps protect public health in West Dunbartonshire. It
is important that Council documents are as accessible as possible and the Council's
Communication Effectively Guidance has been followed.
ITEM 12
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5. People Implications 
5.1 There are no personnel issues. 
6. Financial Implications 
6.1 There are no financial implications 
7. Risk Analysis 
7.1 Failure to approve the Food Enforcement Service Plan for 2024/25 would be deemed to
be non-compliant with the Code of Practice requirements. 
8. Equalities Impact 
8.1 EIA 1067: The proposal has been equality impact assessed and should have positive
impact in terms of protecting public health. 
9. Conclusion 
9.1 The Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/25 requires to be approved to ensure
compliance with the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) - 2019   
Alan Douglas
Chief Officer - Regulatory & Regeneration
Date:
________________________________________________________________ 
Person to Contact:    Eilidh Paton, 
Interim Service Co-ordinator Food Business Group, 
16 Church Street, 
Dumbarton, 
G82 1QL,                                                                 
Telephone: 0141 951 7983, 
Email: eilidh.paton@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 
Appendices:                                           Appendix 1- Food enforcement Service Plan 2024-2025                                                                
Appendix 2- Equality Impact Assessment   
Background Papers:                       Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) - 2019 
Wards Affected:                        All 
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West Dunbartonshire Council 
Environmental Health
Food Service Plan
2024 - 2025
C
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Contents
Section 1 – Introduction
Service Role 2
Service Aims & Objectives 3
Organisational Structure 4
Specialist Services 5
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) 5
Scope of the Food Service 5
Demands on the Food Service 6
Enforcement Policy 6
Section 2 – Service Provision
Service Delivery         7
Review of 2023/24 Activities 7
Sampling Activities and Service Requests 8
Food Fraud 9
Communicable Disease Investigation 9
Eatsafe Scheme 9
Food Hygiene Information Scheme 10
Food Export Certification 10
Food Safety Promotion 10
Food Premises Inspections 10-11
Future Actions 2024-2025 12 
Page 1 
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Section 1 – Introduction 
Service Role
The Environmental Health Service administers West Dunbartonshire’s Council’s
statutory functions in respect of a wide range of Environmental Health and associated
legislation. 
This includes Food Safety; Health and Safety at Work; Environmental Protection and
Public Health. 
Additionally the Service delivers a range of non-statutory functions, including
advice to local businesses, food hygiene training to other council services; public
information and sampling and Pest Control Services. 
The service continues to provide a co-ordinated response working with other service
teams such as licensing, fraud, trading standards and asset management. In planning
the service delivery for 2024-2025, consideration has been made of both existing and
new functions. A set of performance indicators has been developed to reflect the
functions of the service. These will be reported via the Pentana system – the Council’s
performance management system. 
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Service Aims & Objectives 
Within the Environmental Health Service the Food and Business Group delivers the
statutory food safety functions on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council 
The aim of West Dunbartonshire Council Food and Business Group is to strive through
the application and maintenance of adequate human, technological and physical
resources to ensure that food and drink intended for human consumption, which is
produced, stored, distributed, handled, prepared, labelled, or consumed within the West
Dunbartonshire area complies with the requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990,
European Food Regulation and is safe for the consumer. 
This will be achieved through a combination of:
• Risk based programmes of inspections covering all food business in the Council
area;
• Risk based food sampling programmes in line with the revised and consolidated
Food Law Code of Practice 2019 and associated guidance;
• Open and transparent engagement with local businesses to encourage, through
education and advice, compliance with food safety legislation;
• Investigation of food complaints and dealing with enquiries relating to food
business operations; which are received by or referred to the Council Food and
Business Group-
• Management and processing of approvals, certificates, registrations and the professional
assessment of compliance with standards in relation to food business operation;
• Engagement and participation in projects, surveys and campaigns to improve food
law delivery and raise awareness of food law and related matters and to highlight
current issues of note to communities;
• Continued development of service provision in line with Food Standards Scotland
(FSS) Guidance [including the E. Coli O157 - Control of Cross-Contamination -
Guidance for food business operators and enforcement authorities], The
Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, The Scottish Regulators Strategic Code of
Practice, and the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) 2019 and associated
guidance and participation in the workings of
the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee and projects that
evolve, risk management and consistency in food law delivery;.
• Continued engagement with internal and external community and national partners
to promote fairness, consistency, equality, health protection, improvement and best
practice in food law service provision. 
Page 2
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Page 3 
Organisational Structure Council 
Structure 
Eilidh Paton, Interim Food & Business Co-ordinator, retains responsibility for the Food and
Business Group and is the Lead Officer under Regulation (EC)882/2004, the Food Law
Code of Practice (Scotland) and the Framework Agreement on Official Feed and Food
Controls for the delivery of the food service. The Principal Officer for Environmental Health
has overall responsibility for the management of the Service and reports directly to the
Planning, Building Standards & Environmental Health Manager. Food Law Service issues
are reported to the Corporate Services Committee. 
Within the Food and Business Group, there are 5.60 full time equivalent (FTE)
Environmental Health Officers, including the Service Co-ordinator, with 3.03 FTE
attributed to food law work. The FTE figure was reduced in August 2023 due to maternity
leave and there was a further temporary reduction in staffing levels in the last quarter of
the 2023-2024 financial year. 
A study carried out in 2021 into resources identified a deficit of 2.39 FTE. Recruitment to
fill these vacancies in 2022 was unsuccessful and these vacancies have since been
deleted as part of the Council’s budget savings exercise in December 2022. 
The service structure incorporating the Food and Business Group is detailed in Annex 1.
The Service structure is currently under review, with the removal of one Service Co-
ordinator, therefore the team structures within the Environmental Health Service will
require to be adjusted to manage this reduction. 
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Annex 1 Team Service Structure Plan 
Page 4
Chief Officer
Regulatory &
Regeneration
Acting Principal Officer
& Co-ordinator Food,
Business, Pest Contro &
Dog Control
Co-ordinator
Environmental &
Community Health
Protection
Planning, Building
Standards &
Environmental Health
Manager
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Specialist Services
Glasgow Scientific Services (GSS) provides the analytical services and microbiological
services for the food authority in addition to being the appointed Food Examiner for West
Dunbartonshire. Glasgow Scientific Services is also designated Agricultural Analyst
under the Agriculture Act 1970 for feed samples. 
Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) incepted on 1st April 2015 and is a competent Food
Authority established under the Food (Scotland) Act 2015. It provides advice, guidance
and audit function to Local Authorities including this Council which is itself a competent
Food Authority. 
From 1 April 2021, FSS became responsible for carrying out official controls (this
includes sampling and inspections) and enforcement of feed law. The Feed (Transfer of
Functions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 transferred
competence for feed law functions from local authorities to FSS, and provides the power
to delegate functions to a qualifying third party. The Council’s Trading Standards team
are one of those included. 
Scope of the Food Service
The Food and Business Group has, in addition to its non-food statutory regulatory
responsibilities, responsibility for all areas of food safety and food standards regulation,
referred to as ‘Food Law’. This includes food sampling and the investigation and
management of communicable disease in liaison with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
public health partners. 
Food law Inspections of, and other interventions at, all food businesses are based on
assessment of risk in compliance with The Council’s procedures and the Food Law Code
of Practice 2015 issued under Section 40 of the Act. Guidance for food authorities and
food business operators on controlling the risks of cross contamination from E. coli O157
continues to be significant feature of risk based inspections and other interventions.
Cross contamination controls continue to be identified and shortfalls in compliance dealt
with according to the risk identified. The full range of risk profile food businesses in West
Dunbartonshire are currently subject to inspection according to their risk profile. For food
businesses identified as requiring improvement, enforcement action related to risk will
continue to be taken to protect the health and wellbeing of anyone (residents, visitors or
others) in West Dunbartonshire who may be exposed to the unmanaged risk of cross
contamination or other risks through consumption of food produced or sold in West
Dunbartonshire. In addition to enforcement, advice to business forms an integral part of
the Service strategy. 
A Civica APP Flare based software system is used to manage all aspects of
regulatory services including the food inspection programme.   
Inspections, interventions, sampling, complaint or incident investigations etc., are
undertaken by Environmental Health Officers. 
The Food and Business Group also enforce laws encompassing health and safety,
smoking in public places and private water supplies for Food Businesses as well as the
professional standards elements of licensing e.g. licensing standards, skin piercing
and tattooists, pet shops, zoos, animal boarding, riding schools, cinemas, caravan sites,
and venison dealers.
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Demands on the Food Service
The Interventions Code came into force across Scotland on the 26 June 2019
and supersedes certain sections of the consolidated Food Law Code of
Practice 2019. Compliance with the code was suspended on 23 March 2020
creating an ongoing backlog of interventions while resource was diverted to
pandemic response. 
In 2021, in anticipation of a foreseeable end to pandemic response, a Food Law
restart plan for Scotland was agreed. 
Local Authorities are to: 
1. Transfer all businesses risk-rated under the previous rating system to
the Food Law Rating Scheme; then.
2. Generate an Intervention Programme – placing all establishments at
dates in the future – after the ‘restart’ date; then
3. Calculate the resources required to undertake all food law
enforcement work; then
4. Produce a programme for delivery based on the above with all
food businesses given a desk top rating under the new code and
assigned an intervention date. 
The demands of the Food Law Rating Scheme under the code are greater than
previous requirements, with greater frequency of intervention and scope covered in
each intervention. This new scheme has changed the inspection profile of the
businesses due to the different priorities built into the scheme, resulting in many
businesses requiring inspection on a more frequent basis. Large or complex businesses
are to be inspected more frequently due to their inherent risk. The introduction of
concentrated interventions is effective at securing improvement in poorly performing
businesses. This regime is very demanding on officer time. The option to extend the
inspection frequency to two years for highly compliant businesses has changed,
meaning a business will need to demonstrate over a period of three inspections that
they have sustained a high level of compliance before they can be placed on this lower
inspection frequency. This will take at least five years to fully take effect. All these
factors contribute towards a heavier inspection program moving forward. 
This, along with addressing a backlog of interventions due to the pandemic, requires
greater resource to meet the requirements of the code in the five year period following
the restart date of October 2021. This was calculated as a deficit of 2.39 full time
equivalents, based on the resource calculation carried out by all Scottish Local
Authorities in 2021.  A recruitment exercise in 2022 was unsuccessful and these posts
have since been deleted as part of the Council’s budget process. Limited resources to
undertake this work remains a significant challenge to the service. 
Enforcement Policy
The Enforcement Policy outlines the Service’s advisory, consultative, and proportional approach
towards enforcement decisions.  Enforcement will be applied in a graduated, risk-based manner and
resources shall be targeted at those businesses which pose the greatest risk to health. 
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Section 2 – Service Provision 
Service Delivery 
Review of 2023/24 Activities
The Food and Business Groups food enforcement activities are summarised as
follows: The food enforcement policy was reviewed to ensure it accords with the Food
Law Code of Practice. It is incorporated into the aforementioned Enforcement Policy. 
For the year 2023/24 754 visits covering sampling, programmed inspections, complaint
investigations, licensing inspections and advice were undertaken. The food related
visits are detailed below. 
Food Visits Undertaken during 2023/2024 
Type Count
Food Law Intervention 348
Food Sampling visit 17
Food Complaint visit 92
Food advice visit 10
Food re-visits 139
Not trading at time of visit 143
Licensing (including Street Trader licensing visits) 5 
An inspection rate for the highest risk food premises (every 1 to 6 months) of 96% was
achieved, missing 100% target. For medium risk food premises (every 12 months) a rate of
79% was achieved, which narrowly missed the target of 80%.  The Food and Business Group
have operated with a reduced number of staff over the 2023/2024 period due to maternity leave
and long term sickness. This reduction in staff numbers is in addition to the deficit of 2.39
identified in the 2021 resource calculator, which have since been taken as a Council saving. 
The FTE calculations do not include time spent on training, responses to major food incidents,
food export certification activities, management time or staff meetings etc. The Food & Business
Group are also responsible for a range of other activities including but not limited to licensing
activities, health and safety interventions and food hygiene training. 
An enhanced protocol for the approval of manufacturers of products of animal origin based on
the principles of Official Control Verification began in April 2023. This has placed a greater
demand on the resources of West Dubartonshire’s Environmental Health service due to the
increased time spent on document reviews and inspection times based on the time resource
calculation required per premises. 
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Sampling Activities and Service Requests 
There were 17 sampling visits carried out during the 2023/24 period. Food sampling visits
in the 2023/24 period incorporate the work the service does in cooperation with FSS,
its Local Authority partners in the West of Scotland Food Liaison Group and the
associated sampling strategy and surveys which emanate from them including
national Food Fraud initiatives and themes from Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison
Committee and arising out of the work of the Scottish Food Crime Advisory Group
and the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit. There has been a reduction in this
service in the last quarter due to inadequate staffing levels. 
The service actively engages on suspected food fraud and carries out food
surveillance to ensure the protection of health and wellbeing for residents and visitors
to the West Dunbartonshire area. The 2024/2025 sampling plan will be finalised when
the FSS Local Authority Food Sampling programme is confirmed. 
For the year 2023/2024, the Food and Business Group received and dealt with a total of
588 food service requests. All service requests were actioned within the target time set in
our internal monitoring system. These service requests are detailed as follows:
Food Service Requests 2023/2024: 
Service Request Number
Extraneous matter 0
Unfit 9
Condition/taint 4
Mouldy 7
Foreign bodies 10
Out of date 15
Food Business Registration 92
Labelling 1
Wrongly described 3
Contamination risk 29
Food alerts 5
Food allergy alerts 43
Export certificate requests 142
Advice 67
Approval of premises 3
Microbiological 3
Product Recall Information Notice 51
Hygiene of premises 52
Street Traders 5
Late Hours Catering 7
Public Entertainment Licences 27
Market Operators Licence 12
Venison Dealers 0
Occasional Licences 1
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Food Fraud
The Food and Business Group will continue its work on food crime in conjunction with
its partners across Scotland. 
Scottish Food Crime Advisory Group 
The Scottish Food Crime Advisory Group was established in 2016 under the umbrella
of the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee.  The Scottish Food Crime
Advisory Group provides for the required interface and joint working arrangements,
whilst facilitating delivery of significant outcomes with partner agencies and working in
very close partnership with the Scottish Food Crime and Investigations Unit of FSS. 
Communicable Disease Investigation 
There were 15 cases of notifiable communicable disease investigated by Environmental
Health during the 2023/24 period. A protocol for reporting information and the passing
of case information has been established with NHSGGC Public Health colleagues. 
Food and Business Group Training Delivery 
The Food and Business Group offers food related development and training to
colleagues across the council and externally to citizens who can benefit from food
safety training and qualification. The Food and Business Group will continue to work with
internal colleagues to ensure high standards are maintained across facilities and
accurate high quality information is provided to all service users about the food they
consume. The provision of training services offered includes a range of educational
packs for training provision in the REHIS Food and Health course and Elementary Food
Hygiene Course for continued delivery in the 2023/24 period. We will continue to
support Council services and businesses in 2024 where possible. 
Eatsafe Scheme
The Food and Business Group operates the Eatsafe Scheme. The Eatsafe Award
extended to Scotland and is administered by the West Dunbartonshire Food and
Business Group in conjunction with FSS. The main aim of the scheme is to provide an
incentive to food businesses to strive for food hygiene and food safety management
standards beyond those required by law. It also helps consumers make informed choices
about where to eat out by providing a recognisable 'sign' of excellence in standards of
food hygiene. 
Eligible establishments are assessed for the award as part of scheduled food hygiene
inspections, carried out by the Food and Business Group, who also issue and control the
issuing of Eatsafe Award certificates. 
The Eatsafe Award scheme continues to be promoted during all programmed food safety
inspections throughout the year and there are 55 current award holders listed on http://
www.eatsafe.gov.uk for the West Dunbartonshire area. 
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Food Hygiene Information Scheme 
The Council participates in the Food Hygiene Information Scheme in conjunction with
FSS. Residents and visitors to West Dunbartonshire can now see Food Hygiene
Information Scheme Pass Certificates issued by The Food and Business Group displayed
by a number of restaurants and other food premises around the area. 
PASS ratings for food businesses can be found online at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/
The Food Hygiene Information Scheme is due for review due to the introduction of the
Food Law Rating Scheme in a revised Food Law Code of Practice Scotland. The Food
Law Rating Scheme covers not only food hygiene matters but food standards matters
such as allergen information and other information for consumers. The review of the
Food Hygiene Information Scheme is planned by FSS as part of its regulatory strategy. A
system which reflects outcomes of Food Law inspections will be delivered following
consultation with Food Authorities in Scotland. 
Food Export Certification
The Council’s  Environmental Health Service,acting as a Food Authority, produces Food
Hygiene Export Certificates for food businesses exporting food to countries outside of the
EU. The value of food exported under certification is estimated to be several millions of
pounds. This service supports the export industry and contributes to economic
development. Exports are predominantly from the local distillers although other products
such as coffee and food contact materials have been exported. Food is certificated to
nations in Africa, Asia, and South America as well as nations close to the EU 28
.
The certificates issued within the 2023/2024 period are detailed in table: 
Health
Certifica
tes
Product
Registrations
GMO Conformity
Cerificates
259 56 4 
The Service will continue to support businesses exporting food and drink in 2024/2025. 
Food Safety Promotion
Food safety information including promotional messaging, food alerts and product recall
information continues to be promoted through social media outlets and directly with
businesses where such engagement and intervention is in the interest of public health. 
Food Premises Inspections
Businesses are assigned a business group according to the compliance ladder approach
set out in the revised Code of Practice. 
Group 1 - The highest risk activities, manufacturing, distributing and exporting. 
Group 2 - Other manufacturers and retailers handling open high risk foods.
Group 3 - Retail activities, child minders and pubs not serving food. 
Different risk ratings are assigned to each group and provision is given for intensive
intervention where there is sustained non-compliance, issues of public health significance
or fraudulent activity. The rating system is a compliance matrix based on compliance
level. 
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This allows us to target resource at areas of highest risk. For the risk ratings and
inspection frequencies, see Appendix A. 
Appendix A- FLRS - The Performance Ladder and Compliance Matrix                 
The Compliance Matrix Aide-Mémoire Table 
There are currently 806 registered food premises in West Dunbartonshire. All food
premises are inspected and risk rated in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice
(Scotland). In accordance with the Food Law Rating Scheme which was introduced on 1
July 2019, the following premises are registered. They sit within the categories detailed
below. 
Group A B C D E Unrated
1 4 11 1 0 0 4
2 14 284 159 10 0 24
3 16 184 54 0 1 35 
The food premises profile for West Dunbartonshire can be broken down (at 1 April
2024) into the following categories as follows. 
Premises Type No
Primary Producer 7
Small Retailer 165
Restaurant/Café/Canteen 151
Takeaway 113
Caring Premises 78
Pub/Club 55
School/College 38
Hotel/Guest House 24
Mobile Food Unit 18
Manufacturer/Packer 41
Supermarket/Hypermarket 22
Restaurants and caterers – other 52
Distributer/Transporter    9
Retailer/Other 33 
There are currently two approved premises (food businesses subject to approval under
product specific legislation in the West Dunbartonshire area in terms of Regulation EC
853/2004(5. The Approved Establishments Scottish National Protocol has been produced
for Scotland and places greater emphasis on risk in the food manufacturing / approved
sector and delivery requires enhanced resource allocation for delivery. 
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Future Actions 2024-2025 
o The Food and Business Group will continue with the food recovery programme.
There are currently 806 registered food premises in West Dunbartonshire. These
premises will be inspected over the 2024/2025 programme based on the risk
ratings they have been assigned. 
o In 2024/2025 the Service will participate in the FSS funded sampling
programme where specific products are sampled based on the priorities set by
the FSS. We will also develop a sampling programme within West
Dunbartonshire. 
o In order to ensure consistency in the application of food law, Scottish Local
Authorities developed an enhanced system for official food control interventions
based on the principles of Official Control Verification. This applies to specific
food manufacturing premises of which there are two within West Dunbartonshire.
The Official Control Verification guidance provides a framework to ensure a
methodical and consistent approach that meets the legislative requirements and
secures a high level of public health protection and protects the reputation of
food businesses. 
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CONTACT DETAILS
Environmental Health, Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL
Telephone: 0141 951 7957
Email: Environmental.Health@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 
OTHER FORMATS
This document can be made available on request in alternative formats such as
large print, Braille, audio tape or computer disc as well as in five community languages. 
This document is also available in other languages, large print and audio format on
request. 
Arabic 
British Sign Language users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL,
the on-line British Sign Language interpreting service on 01389 738282 
Chinese (Cantonese)
Gaelic
Tha an sgrìobhainn seo cuideachd ri fhaighinn ann an cànanan eile, ann an clò mòr, agus ann
an cruth claisneachd ma thèid iarraidh 
Hindi 
Polish 
Punjabi
Ukrainian 
Цей документ також доступний іншими мовами, великим шрифтом та в аудіоформаті за
запитом. 
Urdu
West Dunbartonshire Council, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL
environmental.health@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
01389 738282 
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Assessment
No
1067 Owner eilidh.paton                            
Resource Regeneration, Environment and
Growth
Service Environment and
Neighbourhood 
FirstName Surname Job Title
Head Officer Eilidh Paton Service Co-ordinator     
Members Eilidh Paton 
(Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy
function or financial decision)
Policy Title Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024-2025 
The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy  
The Statutory Food Law Code of Practice requires that each Food Authority
must  complete an annual Service Plan which details their food enforcement
interventions programme for the coming year. Such a programme requires to
be adequately resourced and the Service Plan requires to be subject to
approval at the appropriate governance level within each Local Authority. 
The Environmental Health Sections Food Enforcement Service Plan 2024/25
describes how the food enforcement service is discharged and details the
numbers, types and priority ratings of the authority’s food premises, the
frequency of planned interventions, sampling programmes, reactive work,
including responding to food complaints, food hazard warnings and
investigation of infectious diseases. The plan contains information on
proposals for the  undertaking of the Environmental Health Sections statutory 
duties in 2024/25 
Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the
development and/or implementation of policy. 
Environmental Health Food & Business Group   
Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? No
If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to
discuss your requirements.
No 
SCREENING
You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas 
Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or
foster good relations (F)
No
Relevance to Human Rights (HR) No
Relevance to Health Impacts (H) No
Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) No 
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Who will be affected by this policy? 
Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? 
Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to
this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative
impact on particular groups. 
Specific group
to consider
Needs Evidence Impact
Age                              
Disability                       
Gender
Reassign               
Marriage & Civil
Partnership     
Pregnancy &
Maternity         
Race                             
Religion and
Belief           
Sex                              
Sexual
Orientation               
Human Rights                     
Health                         The Council is committed
to the supporting and
improving the Health and
well being of local people
The plan outlines how in this
context we will work to
support this
The plan helps protect
public health
Social &
Economic
Impact         
Cross Cutting                  It is important that
Council documents are
accessible.  
The Council's
Communication Effectively
Guidance has been
followed.
Positive 
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Actions 
Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please
provide justification for this. 
Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? 
Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? 
Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation
EIA 1067: The plan helps protect public health in West Dunbartonshire. It is important that
Council documents are as accessible as possible and the Council's Communication Effectively
Guidance has been followed. 
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer – People & Technology
Corporate Services Committee:  6 November 2024  
___________________________________________________________________
Subject: Public Holiday Variations
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this report is to set out the proposed changes to public holiday
allocation for local government and quasi-craft employees. 
2. Recommendations
2.1 Committee is asked to approve the following:
• Replace the additional 4 public holidays for pre-2015 quasi-craft
employees as per paragraph 4.9 with additional days transferred to annual
leave entitlement.
• Replace 1 further public holiday (last Monday in September) for all
employee groups, transferring the day to annual leave entitlement.
• Authorise the Chief Officer, People and Technology to implement public
holiday variations from April 2025.
3. Background
Terms and conditions
3.1 The Council previously agreed a revised package of terms and conditions to
support the national Single Status Agreement in 2009. One of the
fundamental principles of this Scottish Joint Council (SJC) agreement was to
harmonise the many disparate sets of conditions that existed at that time with
the primary intention of achieving an equality-based package of terms and
conditions.
3.2 Various incremental changes to further harmonise employment terms have
been implemented, as follows:
• Alignment of annual leave accrual with SJC/Local Government (i.e., one
additional day per year of service).
• Application of the SJC Job Evaluation Scheme (JES) to the quasi-craft
groups (N.B. Historically, the craft bargaining group were not a signatory
to the SJC JES and therefore not covered by same. Over time, local
amendments to the standard terms and conditions, including job
evaluation of the roles, resulted in the ‘quasi-craft’ group that enjoys a
mixture of terms and conditions.
ITEM 13
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• Strong encouragement by politicians, officers and trades unions that all
employees join an occupational pension scheme (including via auto-
enrolment) resulting in a 15% increase to 93% total membership.
• Introduction of new pay arrangements in 2015, including a 4-weekly
cycle, removal of weekly pay, moving many processes online and
enabling self-service resulting in improved experiences.
• Further simplification of pay frequency arrangements in 2023 with a
temporary cessation of fortnightly pay, then becoming permanent in
February 2024.
3.3 The Council has also focused on addressing the three main causes of
occupational segregation, namely: gender stereotyping, inflexible working
practices, and the undervaluing of roles and occupations. The approach
included:
• Strong support of flexible working, with this being applicable to all roles,
from application stage (recognised by the Council’s inclusion within Top
10 Flexible Employers in UK).
• Support for carers through dedicated paid and unpaid leave and
guaranteed interviews for parents returning to the workplace after a
period out of the workplace.
• Having a robust job evaluation process which ensure all roles are jointly
(employer and trade union) analysed following extensive data gathering
from jobholders.
3.4 There are still different leave and public holiday entitlements for local
government and quasi-craft employees, resulting in approximately 190 pre-
2015 employees enjoying four more public holidays than the rest of the
workforce. 
3.5 Despite the difference in public holiday entitlement being repeatedly raised
with the trade unions (2017, 2022, 2023, 2024), they have only recently
confirmed acceptance that this exists. However, they remain insistent on
retention of the higher number of public holidays for the predominantly male
group of 190 workers with the GMB trade union advancing the proposal that
all employees receive 12 public holidays with the consequential 4-day annual
leave reduction. 
3.6 As a result, an online survey was issued, available to all employees via the
intranet and trickle engagement platform (both accessible via work and
personal devices). The summary of responses is included in Appendix 1.
4. Main Issues
4.1 As a public sector employer, it is essential the Council continues efforts to
future-proof terms and conditions of employment, delivering a package that is
affordable within the funds available, is gender pay neutral and is otherwise
considered fair in terms of consolidation of provisions across different
categories of employee. 
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4.2 Analysis of the survey results showed: 29% of respondents (29%) supported
a variation to the 8 public holidays voting for a reduction to 6 days; 54% voted
for the current 8 days provision; and 83% of respondents rejected a reversion
to 12 public holidays with the corresponding 4-day deduction of annual leave.
The most popular day to convert to annual leave being the first Monday in
May followed closely by the last Monday in September. 
4.3  Many council services are delivered on a 24/7, 365-day basis and by
employees who follow other religions and have different beliefs beyond the
traditional Christian public holiday schedule.  In recognition of these factors,
many organisations are offering a more flexible approach to public
holidays/annual leave to allow a diverse workforce to choose when to use
leave for celebrations, holidays, religious festivals, and caring responsibilities.
4.4 With the trade unions now accepting that there is a difference between the
terms offered to different groups of workers and there being a potential direct
economic benefit to those in the pre-2015 predominantly male quasi craft
roles (with overtime being available at enhanced rates for working days which
are in other employee group’s normal working days), it is essential that this
difference is addressed to remove any perceived discrimination. Where
universal agreement cannot be reached on how that is addressed then it may
be necessary to impose the changes to arrangements to remove the
perceived discrimination.
4.5 Consequently, to further support the provision of flexibility, and protect the
Council interests, it is proposed that the public holiday entitlement is varied to
7 days (for all local government, quasi-craft employees) with the following
declassified as public holidays and added to annual leave entitlement from
April 2025:
• Last Friday and Monday in May*;
• Third Monday in July*;
• Last Friday in September*;
• Last Monday in September (noting that while the first Monday in May was
marginally more popular with respondents, this day is now most known as
‘International Workers’ Day’ and, as such, it is considered appropriate to
retain this public holiday ).
*currently only applicable to pre-2015 quasi craft employees.
4.6 Subject to approval, the minimum paid (full) annual leave entitlement (the 7
public holidays are in addition to this) will increase, for all employee groups, to
a minimum 26 days and maximum 36 days per annum 
4.7 Reduction in the number of fixed public holidays with the addition to annual
leave entitlement (as implemented in neighbouring authorities) would enhance
service delivery to the residents of West Dunbartonshire, many of whom now
expect a service on those days previously regarded as public holidays, as well
as further enhancing the flexibility offered to those, predominantly female
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employees, with caring responsibilities. Where agreement cannot be reached,
it is proposal that the Council imposes the changes in order to address our
wider public sector equality duties. 
5. People Implications 
5.1 Effective and regular monitoring and analysis of pay and remuneration is
critical to ensure equality and sound people practice for all employees. 
5.2 The changes proposed will increase the annual leave entitlements of all
employees, thereby allowing greater flexibility. The new full-time equivalent
(FTE) minimum would be 26 days, rising annually until the maximum 36 days
is reached (including the additional day agreed for SJC and SJNC employees
in 2022 and in addition to the proposed 7 public holidays). This entitlement is
well above the statutory minimum (28 days including public holidays) and
remains generous compared with other councils. 
6. Financial and Procurement Implications 
6.1 These changes are not expected to generate savings given the limited
number of local government employees expected to work on the Monday of
the September weekend. There is no requirement for any of the pre-2015
quasi-craft group to work on the additional 4 public holidays. 
7. Risk Analysis 
7.1 There is a risk of ongoing perceived discrimination from retaining the current
leave provisions, as detailed above, and therefore continuing the difference in
allocation. 
7.2 Failure to make the proposed changes risks a challenge in terms of the wider
public sector equality duties. 
8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 
8.1 Equalities Impact Assessments have been undertaken in relation to the above
proposals, in addition to inclusion as appendices to the December Council
report and which remain available as background papers.   
9. Consultation 
9.1 Discussions with the Trade Unions have continued throughout 2024 with
public holidays featuring as a standing item at monthly meetings. 
9.2 Formal proposals were submitted on 20 June 2024 to allow consultation with
the workforce to commence.   
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9.3 The trade unions began consultation in August/September and at time of
writing, GMB remain of the view that members want 12 public holidays (with a
reduction of 4 leave days for local government workers), UNITE report that
their members and reps are not in favour of a move from public holiday days
transferring into annual leave days and UNISON have yet to formally respond
beyond that their members are not in agreement. 
10. Strategic Assessment 
10.1 The proposals set out within this report will assist the Council to deliver
against its strategic priority ‘Our Council – Inclusive and Adaptable’   by
contributing to the underpinning objective: ’Our Council is adaptable and
focused on delivering best value for our residents’. 
Victoria Rogers 
Chief Officer People & Technology 
Date: 22 October 2024 
Person to Contact: 
Appendices: 1. Employee Survey Summary  
2. EIA 1022 June 2024 
Background Papers: Council Report – Equality Review of Terms and
Conditions, 22 December 2022; Appendices - Equality
Impact Assessments  
Demographic assessments of each element – submitted
for negotiation Jan – April 2023  
WDC Terms and Conditions (LGE) V3.6 - April 2021  
Scheme of Pay and Conditions of Service (Craft
Operatives)  
Equal Pay Audit – Allowances remitted to JCF in
December 2017   
Wards Affected:  None
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SurveyResults June 2024
Public Holidays
Christmas Closure
Introduction
This survey invited employees to share their views regarding proposed changes to the
public holiday entitlement, to address the different allocation (a small minority on 12
days with the rest of the workforce on 8).
Additionally, views were sought on the Council budget saving decision to initiate a 2-
week closure over the festive period for the next 3 years.
The summary results of the survey are detailed below.
Response Rate
21%
Total responses - 1187
Role Type
Split of those who responded
by role type
Preferences regarding public
holidays for all employees
By a large majority, the public holidays which were preferred to be re-designated as leave were:
First Monday in May (20.13%) and/or thelast Monday in September (17.94%)
Enhanced Leave
Are you interested in having more
options to purchase enhanced leave?
Enhanced Leave
What are your preferences for how this
could be offered?
Are you happy with the arrangements
for Christmas closure using 6 days of
annual leave entitlement?
Christmas Closure
For those that responded 'No' to
the previous question, what
alternative would you prefer?
organisational.development@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendix 1
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Assessment No 1022 Owner lgalasso
Resource Transformation Service People and Technology
FirstName Surname Job Title
Head Officer Leeanne Galasso People & Change Partner
Members Leeanne Galasso, People & Change Partner
Lisa MacGregor, People & Change Partner
Alison McBride, Strategic People & Change Manager
(Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy
function or financial decision)
Policy Title Ethical Review of Terms and Conditions - Review of Public Holiday Entitlement
The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy
The primary aim is to further eradicate inequality.
Following employee survey the proposal is to vary public holiday entitlement and
following consultation, the proposal is to align all employees to 7 days public holidays. 
This will add 1 day to annual leave for SJC and those craft employees who started
employment after April 2015 and 5 days to craft employees who started before April
2015.  This will align public holidays for the workforce and will mean that annual leave
entitlement will start at 26 days (FTE), which employees can use as it suits them.  This
will benefit new starters and could help in recruitment as well as providing an equal
public holiday entitlement.
It is essential that the Council continues to act to future-proof its terms and conditions
of employment, ensuring an employment package is gender pay neutral and which is
otherwise considered fair in terms of consolidation of provisions across different
categories of employees.
Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development
and/or implementation of policy.
Chief Officers, Strategic HR
Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? Yes
If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to
discuss your requirements.
No
SCREENING
You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas
Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or
foster good relations (F)
Yes
Relevance to Human Rights (HR) No
Relevance to Health Impacts (H) No
Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes
Who will be affected by this policy?
Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process?
Appendix 2
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to
this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative
impact on particular groups.
Specific group to
consider
Needs Evidence Impact
Age                           The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
The Council's age profile
confirms that the highest
percentage of employees
remain clustered in the age
groups 50-59.
There is no specific
impact identified in
relation to age.  It is
noted that this change
may attract a younger
demographic into roles
with the increased
flexibility in the way they
use leave.
Disability                    The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
The Council's disability profile
confirms 1.38% of employees
have declared a disability.
It is well documented and
reported that people with a
disability can be impacted by
pay inequality.
There is no specific
impact in relation to
disability.
Gender Reassign               The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
The Council's transgender
profile confirms that 0.15%
have declared transgener and
19.01% not transgender and
80.71% unknown.
There is no specific
impact in relation to
gender reassign
Marriage & Civil
Partnership 
The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
No information reported on
marital status/civil partnership.
It is well documented and
reported that males typically
earn more than females with
greater opportunity to access
enhancements through
overtime and public holiday
working.  
There is no specific
impact in relation to
marriage & civil
partnerships
Pregnancy &
Maternity        
Cross-Cutting with Sex Cross-Cutting with Sex
It is well document and
reported that pregnancy and
maternity have contributed to
the gender pay inequality
agenda.
Cross-Cutting with Sex
Race                          The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
The Council's race profile
confirms 0.58% of the
workforce are BAME.
There is no specific
impact in relation to race
Religion and Belief           The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
The Council's religion and
belief provide confirms that
1.45% are Christian, 0.89%
other and 8.56% none.
There is no specific
impact in relation to
religion and belief.
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Sex                           The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty
Workforce profile concludes
71% female and 29% male.
It is well understood that
females are main caregivers
and benefit from flexibility to
support the balance of working
and home life.
In relation to public
holidays, by aligning
craft to local government
workers, this will impact
on males as they are
typically male (90%),
Quasi-Craft employees
(those employed after
1st April 2015) are also
predominately male
(95%) and Local
Government employees,
who are predominately
female (74%). 
However this could be
objectively justified to
provide an equal public
holiday entitlement and
reflect the increased
flexibility that additional
annual leave provides to
the workforce.  
It will also further benefit
females as they are
typically the main care
givers and will give
flexibility in use of leave.
Sexual Orientation  The council has duty of care
toward all its workers, and
in terms of the Public Sector
Equality Duty , this proposal
does not impact on sexual
orientation
The Council's sexual
orientation profile concludes
that 0.81% of the workforce
have declared LGB and
18.26% as heterosexual with
80.41 unknown
There is no specific
impact in relation to
sexual orientation
Human Rights                  N/A N/A N/A
Health                      N/A N/A N/A
Social & Economic
Impact     
N/A N/A N/A
Cross Cutting          N/A N/A N/A
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Actions
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Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please
provide justification for this.
Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases?
Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy?
Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by the Chief Officer - Resources
Corporate Services Committee – 6 November 2024
Subject: Corporate Services Revenue -  Budgetary Control Report to 31 August
2024 (Period 5)
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise the Committee on the performance of
the Corporate Services budget for the period to 31 August 2024.
2. Recommendations
2.1 Members are asked to:
i) Note that the revenue account currently shows a projected annual
adverse variance of £0.109m (0.30% of the total budget).
3. Background
3.1 Revenue Budget
At the meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on 6 March 2024, Members
agreed the revenue estimates for 2024/25.
A total net budget of £38.161m was approved for services under the remit for
Corporate Services at that time.
Since the budget changes to the value of -£2.296m have occurred, the details
of these are as follows:
Description £m
Budget Agreed March 2024 38.161
Removal of recharges to Central Support Allocation 0.141
Reduction in budgets in relation to Pension Fund reduced costs -2.807
Increase in Leisure Trust Management Fee Budget 0.370
35.865
The budget has been reduced to reflect the decrease in Strathclyde pension
fund contributions in the year. This budget has been vired to a central reserve
to be used to balance the budget over the next four years as agreed at the
Council meeting on 6 March 2024.
ITEM 14
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The Leisure Trust Management Fee budget has been increased to reflect the
24-25 pay award as the budget set on 6th March 2024 was understated and
did not fully cover the anticipated cost. 
4. Main Issues 
Revenue Budget 
4.1 The summary report at Appendix 1 identifies a projected annual adverse
variance (overspend) of £0.109m, however after taking into account £0.336m
of earmarked reserves available the underlying favourable variance is
£0.227m (0.63%). Detailed service reports are attached as Appendix 2. 
4.2 There are twelve projected annual variances in excess of £0.050m. Notes on
these variances are highlighted and noted within Appendix 3, with additional
information on action being taken to minimise or mitigate overspends where
possible. 
4.3  Although the report indicates that underlying expenditure is favourable in
comparison to that anticipated during the budget exercise, the present
variance should be viewed in the knowledge that there are a number of
variable factors which could arise before 31 March 2025 and which could
affect the year end results. 
4.4 Appendix 4 to the report summarises the current position against the saving
options agreed by council as part of setting the 2024/25 budget 
5. People Implications
5.1 There are no people implications. 
6. Financial and Procurement Implications 
6.1 Other than the financial position noted above, there are no financial or
procurement implications from this budgetary control report. 
7. Risk Analysis 
7.1 The main financial risks to the ongoing financial position relate to unforeseen
costs being identified between now and the end of the financial year. This can
affect all service areas 
8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 
8.1 No equalities impact assessment was required in relation to this report.
9. Consultation
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9.1 All services involved in delivering the revenue and capital budgets have been
consulted in the compilation of this report.
10. Strategic Assessment 
10.1 Proper budgetary control and sound financial practice are cornerstones
of good governance and support Council and officers to pursue the 5
strategic priorities of the Council’s Strategic Plan. This report forms part
of the financial governance of the Council. 
Laurence Slavin
Chief Officer Resources
Date: 14 October 2024 
Person to Contact: Adrian Gray, Finance Business Partner
Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton
Telephone: (01389) 737838
E-mail: adrian.gray@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Appendices: Appendix 1 - Revenue Budgetary Control 2024/25
– Summary Report
Appendix 2 - Revenue Budgetary Control 2024/25
– Service Reports
Appendix 3 - Analysis of Revenue Variances over
£50,000
Appendix 4 - Monitoring of Savings Options 
Background Papers: 
Ledger output – Period 05
General Services Revenue Estimates 2024/25 – Council 6
March 2024 
Wards Affected All Wards
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES SUMMARY
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25
Spend to Date
2024/25 Final Spend
Annual
RAG
Status
Net Variance
attributable to
earmarked
reserves spend
Underlying
Variance
excluding
earmarked
reserves
spend
£000 £000 £000 £000 % £000 £000
Audit 17 99 (13) (30) -181%  0 (30)
Finance 1,487 741 1,701 215 14%  183 32
Rent Rebates & Allowances 1,957 2,266 1,957 0 0%  0 0
Revenues & Benefits 2,316 918 2,393 77 3%  66 11
Finance Service Centre 461 237 482 21 5%  26 (5)
Cost of Collection of Rates 6 0 18 11 177%  11 0
Cost of Collection of Council Tax (823) (121) (823) 0 0%  0 0
Central Admin Support 2,497 952 2,460 (37) -1%  0 (37)
Procurement 564 185 528 (36) -6%  0 (36)
Democratic and Registration Service 731 221 698 (33) -4%  0 (33)
Environmental Health 610 227 597 (12) -2%  0 (12)
Licensing (156) (40) (165) (9) -6%  0 (9)
Legal Services/Trading Standards 746 324 777 31 4%  0 31
Planning 553 64 462 (91) -16%  15 (106)
Transactional Services 839 326 858 19 2%  0 19
Strategic People and Change 1,806 706 1,858 53 3%  35 18
Information Services 4,747 2,965 4,817 70 1%  0 70
Communications & Marketing 277 84 253 (24) -8%  (24)
Citizen Services 1,316 615 1,364 48 4%  48
Performance & Strategy 236 89 226 (9) -4%  (9)
Clydebank Town Hall 317 9 325 8 2%  8
Office Accomodation 1,208 443 1,209 2 0%  2
Libraries 1,708 596 1,723 15 1%  15
Arts and Heritage 293 50 326 33 11%  33
Catering Services 4,660 1,810 4,618 (42) -1%  (42)
Building Cleaning 1,820 702 1,760 (60) -3%  (60)
Building Cleaning PPP (208) (150) (295) (87) 42%  (87)
Facilities Assistants 2,362 849 2,263 (99) -4%  (99)
Facilities Management 404 213 461 57 14%  57
Leisure Management 3,090 1,618 3,121 31 1%  31
Events 27 21 14 (13) -48%  (13)
35,865 17,019 35,974 109 0.30%  336 (227)
APPENDIX 1
Service / Subjective Summary Variance 2024/25
Total Net Expenditure
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status 
£000  £000  £000  £000 %
Employee 28,873                   10,540 28,374 (500) (2%) 
Property 2,287                     946 2,425 138 6% 
Transport and Plant 152                        14 162 10 7% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 5,679                     2,996 5,873 194 3% 
Payments to Other Bodies 5,653                     3,184 5,943 290 5% 
Other 32,426                   14,106 32,426 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 75,070                   31,787 75,203 133 0% 
Income 39,205-                   (14,768) (39,229) (24) (0%) 
Net Expenditure 35,865                   17,019 35,974 109 0% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 315                        106 284 (31) (10%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 2                            2 2 0 3% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 317                        108 287 (30) (10%) 
Income 300-                        (9) (300) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 17                          99 (13) (30) (181%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,494                     558 1,516 22 1% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 50                          7 50 0 1% 
Payments to Other Bodies 2                            185 185 183 8448% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,546                     751 1,751 206 13% 
Income 59-                          (10) (50) 9 15% 
Net Expenditure 1,487                     741 1,701 215 14% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee -                         0 0 0 0% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin -                         0 0 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other 32,426                   14,106 32,426 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 32,426                   14,106 32,426 0 0% 
Income 30,469-                   (11,839) (30,469) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 1,957                     2,266 1,957 0 0% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,833                     693 1,844 11 1% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 2                            0 2 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 30                          6 30 0 1% 
Payments to Other Bodies 895                        471 961 66 7% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 2,759                     1,172 2,836 77 3% 
Income 443-                        (254) (443) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 2,316                     918 2,393 77 3% 
Finance
Rent Rebates & Allowances
Revenues & Benefits
Service Summary Variance 2024/25
All Services
Audit
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 339                        139 393 54 16% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 48                          10 48 0 1% 
Payments to Other Bodies 74                          89 40 (34) (46%) 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 461                        237 482 21 5% 
Income -                         0 0 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 461                        237 482 21 5% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee -                         0 0 0 0% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 3                            0 3 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 89                          0 100 11 13% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 91                          0 103 11 12% 
Income 85-                          0 (85) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 6                            0 18 11 177% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee -                         0 0 0 0% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 64                          32 64 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 30                          11 30 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 94                          44 94 0 0% 
Income 917-                        (164) (917) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 823-                        (121) (823) 0 0% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 568                        185 543 (25) (4%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 (0) (100%) 
Supplies, Services and Admin 2                            0 2 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 75                          0 79 4 5% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 644                        185 623 (21) (3%) 
Income 80-                          0 (95) (15) (19%) 
Net Expenditure 564                        185 528 (36) (6%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 805                        283 772 (33) (4%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 1                            0 1 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 8                            4 9 1 18% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 814                        287 782 (31) (4%) 
Income 83-                          (66) (84) (1) (1%) 
Net Expenditure 731                        221 698 (33) (4%) 
Finance Service Centre
Democratic and Registration Service
Cost of Collection of Rates
Cost of Collection of Council Tax
Procurement
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 2,506                     947 2,469 (37) (1%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 11                          6 11 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 2,517                     953 2,480 (37) (1%) 
Income 20-                          (2) (20) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 2,497                     952 2,460 (37) (1%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 851                        300 835 (16) (2%) 
Property 6                            1 6 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 10                          4 10 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 21                          6 21 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 72                          40 75 4 5% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 960                        351 948 (12) (1%) 
Income 350-                        (124) (351) (0) (0%) 
Net Expenditure 610                        227 597 (12) (2%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 288                        88 267 (21) (7%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 1                            0 1 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 8                            5 8 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 297                        93 275 (21) (7%) 
Income 453-                        (133) (441) 12 3% 
Net Expenditure 156-                        (40) (165) (9) 6% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 848                        330 878 30 4% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 3                            1 3 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 15                          15 15 1 4% 
Payments to Other Bodies 2                            0 2 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 867                        347 898 31 4% 
Income 121-                        (23) (121) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 746                        324 777 31 4% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,080                     290 974 (106) (10%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 2                            0 2 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 20                          10 20 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 170                        6 185 15 9% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,271                     307 1,181 (91) (7%) 
Income 718-                        (243) (718) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 553                        64 462 (91) (16%) 
Central Admin Support
Environmental Health
Legal Services/Trading Standards
Licensing
Planning
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 847                        328 866 19 2% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 4                            1 4 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 851                        328 870 19 2% 
Income 12-                          (3) (12) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 839                        326 858 19 2% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,715                     655 1,769 54 3% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 1                            0 1 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 5                            5 5 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 214                        100 214 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,936                     760 1,990 54 3% 
Income 130-                        (54) (132) (2) (1%) 
Net Expenditure 1,806                     706 1,858 53 3% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 2,136                     815 2,230 95 4% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 2                            1 2 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 3,063                     2,255 3,137 73 2% 
Payments to Other Bodies 3                            0 0 (3) (100%) 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 5,203                     3,070 5,369 166 3% 
Income 456-                        (105) (552) (96) (21%) 
Net Expenditure 4,747                     2,965 4,817 70 1% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 292                        101 266 (26) (9%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 9                            2 6 (4) (40%) 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 302                        103                272                (29) (10%) 
Income 25-                          (19) (19) 6 23% 
Net Expenditure 277                        84                  253                (24) (8%) 
£000  £000  £000 £000 %
Employee 1,399                     554 1,417 19 1% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 37                          61 69 32 86% 
Payments to Other Bodies 0                            0 0 0 98% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,436                     615                1,487             51 4% 
Income 120-                        0 (123) (3) (2%) 
Net Expenditure 1,316                     615                1,364             48 4% 
Citizen Services
Transactional Services
Strategic People and Change
Information Services
Communications & Marketing
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000  £000  £000 £000 %
Employee 221                        81 211 (9) (4%) 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 14                          8 14 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 236                        89                  226                (9) (4%) 
Income -                         0 0 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 236                        89                  226                (9) (4%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 131                        51 137 5 4% 
Property 291                        41 280 (11) (4%) 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 40                          11 40 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         2 14 14 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 462                        106 471 8 2% 
Income 145-                        (97) (146) (1) (0%) 
Net Expenditure 317                        9 325 8 2% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 138                        45 150 12 9% 
Property 1,391                     711 1,380 (11) (1%) 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 50                          6 50 0 1% 
Payments to Other Bodies 20                          (82) 20 0 1% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,599                     680 1,600 2 0% 
Income 391-                        (237) (391) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 1,208                     443 1,209 2 0% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,257                     471 1,210 (47) (4%) 
Property 270                        55 335 65 24% 
Transport and Plant 15                          5 15 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 206                        73 206 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 1,747                     604 1,765 18 1% 
Income 40-                          (7) (43) (3) (8%) 
Net Expenditure 1,708                     596 1,723 15 1% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 320                        103 321 2 0% 
Property 2                            4 15 13 616% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 34                          15 46 12 35% 
Payments to Other Bodies 18                          2 18 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 375                        125 401 27 7% 
Income 82-                          (75) (75) 6 8% 
Net Expenditure 293                        50 326 33 11% 
Arts and Heritage
Performance & Strategy
Office Accomodation
Clydebank Town Hall
Libraries
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 3,887                     1,417 3,772 (115) (3%) 
Property 71                          21 95 24 34% 
Transport and Plant 110                        0 117 7 6% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 1,873                     420 1,895 21 1% 
Payments to Other Bodies 29                          24 50 22 75% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 5,969                     1,882 5,928 (41) (1%) 
Income 1,309-                     (72) (1,310) (1) (0%) 
Net Expenditure 4,660                     1,810 4,618 (42) (1%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 1,954                     667 1,802 (152) (8%) 
Property 170                        65 206 35 21% 
Transport and Plant 2                            0 1 (1) (33%) 
Supplies, Services and Admin 17                          12 74 57 341% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 2,142                     744 2,082 (60) (3%) 
Income 322-                        (42) (322) 0 0% 
Net Expenditure 1,820                     702 1,760 (60) (3%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 844                        296 751 (94) (11%) 
Property 43                          14 50 7 15% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 9                            2 10 1 8% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 897                        311 810 (87) (10%) 
Income 1,105-                     (461) (1,105) (0) (0%) 
Net Expenditure 208-                        (150) (295) (87) 42% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 2,389                     841 2,255 (134) (6%) 
Property 44                          33 59 15 35% 
Transport and Plant 0                            0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 12                          6 9 (3) (26%) 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         0 0 0 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 2,445                     880 2,323 (122) (5%) 
Income 83-                          (31) (60) 23 28% 
Net Expenditure 2,362                     849 2,263 (99) (4%) 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee 419                        199 441 23 5% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant 2                            2 5 3 184% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 3                            1 4 1 18% 
Payments to Other Bodies -                         10 10 10 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 424                        213 461 37 9% 
Income 20-                          0 0 20 100% 
Net Expenditure 404                        213 461 57 14% 
Catering Services
Building Cleaning
Building Cleaning PPP
Facilities Assistants
Facilities Management
Page 122

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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 2
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE DETAIL
PERIOD END DATE 31 August 2024
Total Budget
2024/25 
YTD Spend
2024/25 
Forecast
Spend
2024/25
RAG Status Service Summary Variance 2024/25
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee -                         0 0 0 0% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin -                         0 0 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 3,854                     2,244 3,860 6 0% 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 3,854                     2,244 3,860 6 0% 
Income 764-                        (627) (739) 25 3% 
Net Expenditure 3,090                     1,618 3,121 31 1% 
£000 £000 £000 £000 %
Employee -                         0 0 0 0% 
Property -                         0 0 0 0% 
Transport and Plant -                         0 0 0 0% 
Supplies, Services and Admin 35                          23 35 0 0% 
Payments to Other Bodies 93                          70 84 (10) (10%) 
Other -                         0 0 0 0% 
Gross Expenditure 129                        93 119 (9) (7%) 
Income 102-                        (72) (105) (3) (3%) 
Net Expenditure 27                          21 14 (13) (48%) 
Leisure Management
Events
Page 123

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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000
PERIOD END DATE
Total Budget Annual Spend RAG Status
£000 £000 £000 %
Finance 1,487 1,701 215 14% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Revenues & Benefits 2,316 2,393 77 3% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Finance Service Centre 461 482 21 5% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Planning 553 462 (91) -16% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Strategic People and Change 1,806 1,858 53 3% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Information Services 4,747 4,817 70 1% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
The service provided by this area deals with Accountancy, Capital, Treasury, Reconciliations,
Cash Office and Municipal Bank
A projected full year variance of £183k in Payments to Other Bodies relates to grants awarded
from the cost of living fund and will be fully covered by the earmarked reserve set aside for
this.
No action required
Adverse variance is anticipated but funded by an earmarked balance
31 August 2024
Budget Details
Variance Analysis
Variance
The service provided by this area deal with benefits, council tax and debt recovery.
None required
Small adverse variance is anticipated
Variance is offset by £66k Social Welfare Fund earmarked reserve.
The Finance Service Centre provide Council wide support across all accounts payable and
receivable as well as the administration of Non Domestic Rates (Business Rates).
Adverse variance on staffing due to retention of Automation team but partially offset by
favourable variance in Payments to Other Bodies due to recharges for associated software
costs
None required
A small adverse variance is anticipated
This service area provides general ICT support to the Council and also supports
transformational change and modernisation of working practices through technology
The favourable variance in income is due to additional staff recharges and this is offset by the
higher than budgeted staff costs due to the additional staff. In addition inflationary pressures
on the software licencing element of the budget is currently projecting a £73k adverse
variance.
None possible at this time.
Adverse variance overall is anticipated, licencing costs are being closely monitored.
This service area provides strategic and operational HR advice, H&S advice and guidance
The adverse variance in staffing costs is partly due to turnover savings not being fully met and
additional training costs. The training cost element will be covered by an earmarked balance of
£35k.
None at this time
An adverse variance is anticipated however £35k of earmarked balance will partially offset
this.
A £106k favourable variance in employee costs is due to delays and difficulties filling
vacancies.
None possible
Favourable variance is anticipated
This Service provides Building & Planning services
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3
REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25
ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000
PERIOD END DATE
Total Budget Annual Spend RAG Status
£000 £000 £000 %
31 August 2024
Budget Details
Variance Analysis
Variance
Libraries 1,708 1,723 15 1% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Catering Services 4,660 4,618 (42) -1% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Building Cleaning 1,820 1,760 (60) -3% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Building Cleaning PPP (208) (295) (87) 42% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Facilities Assistants 2,362 2,263 (99) -4% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Facilities Management 404 461 57 14% 
Service Description
Main Issues / Reason for Variance
Mitigating Action
Anticipated Outcome
Overspend is projected.
This service includes the provision of Library, Culture and Museums within West
Dunbartonshire
Variance due to utility costs being higher than anticipated.
Spend to be monitored.
There is a favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies
Management and Team Leaders for Facilities Services such as Cleaning, Catering and
Facilities Assistants
There is an adverse variance against employee costs principally because turnover is not being
achieved .
none at present
none
none
a favourable variance anticipated
adverse variance anticipated
This service provides cleaning services to PPP schools
There has been greater than anticipated expenditure on cleaning material costs (£35k) ,urgent
equipment replacements (£53k) and replacement uniforms (£4k). However, there is a
favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies (£152k).
none
a favourable variance anticipated
This service provides Facility Assistants throughout WDC buildings
There is a favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies
Catering Services across WDC
employee costs are lower due to a number of vacancies
a favourable variance anticipated
This service provides cleaning services across all council buildings
material costs and usage will be monitored
a favourable variance anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 4
MONITORING OF EFFICIENCIES AND MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENTS 2024/25
Efficiency Detail Ref Chief Officer
Budgeted Amount
£000 
Projection of Total
Saved £000 
Projection of Total
Not Saved £000 Comment
December 2023 Management Adjustments -                            -                              
1
Remove a 1.0 FTE vacant post from the Facilities Management
team with service delivery being maintained through new
structure with increased number of team leaders CCF09 A Graham 36                             36                             -                               Complete
2
Remove two vacant posts in the Communications team which
will result in campaign activity being on digital platforms only,
minimal design activity and less capacity for events CCF10 A Graham 50                             50                             -                               Complete
3
Rightsize ICT Budgets to better reflect expected costs for GIS
software and general ICT inflationary pressures PT01 V Rogers 46                             46                             -                               Complete
4
Reduce the Council’s training budget, retaining budget to cover
essential corporate requirements PT07 V Rogers 10                             10                             -                               Complete
5
Estimated saving from replacing ISDN telephony lines with SIP
cloud telephone support (SIP is a digital method of making calls) PT11 V Rogers 76                             76                             -                               Complete
6 Replacement of Citrix Technology with cheaper technology PT12 V Rogers 75                             75                             -                               Complete
7
Implement the Water Direct Scheme which facilitates the
collection of water and sewerage debt from residents direct
from their benefits at source by the DWP RES05 L Slavin 60                             60                             -                               Complete
8
Remove two franking machines and further reduce use of first
class mail RES11 L Slavin 12                             12                             -                               Complete
9 Seek commercial opportunities for Balloch Park kiosk RES12 L Slavin 15                             15                             -                               Complete
10
Rightsize  minor sundry service budget lines such as travel,
books etc RES14 L Slavin 17                             17                             -                               Complete
11
Rightsize income budgets as consequence of historical lease
review RES15 L Slavin 25                             25                             -                               Complete
12
Adjust charge to Dumbarton Common Good for  support
services to reflect cost recovery RES19 L Slavin 21                             21                             -                               Complete
13
Adjust charge to Valuation Joint Board for  support services to
reflect cost recovery RES20 L Slavin 11                             11                             -                               Complete
14
Remove 3.41 FTE vacant posts in revenue and benefit team and
review work processes to minimise impact on income recovery RES21 L Slavin 109                           109                           -                               Complete
15
Remove a 0.6 FTE vacant registrar post  - no longer required as
Clydebank Registration Service is now managed centrally from
Dumbarton RR02 A Douglas 30                             30                             -                               Complete
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 4
MONITORING OF EFFICIENCIES AND MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENTS 2024/25
Efficiency Detail Ref Chief Officer
Budgeted Amount
£000 
Projection of Total
Saved £000 
Projection of Total
Not Saved £000 Comment
16
Remove a 1 FTE vacancy in the Leadership Support Team whilst
retaining 2:1 PA/CO ratio RR04 A Douglas 39                             39                             -                               Complete
17
Remove a 0.4 FTE vacancy in the Member Services Team to
reflect requirements of elected members RR05 A Douglas 15                             15                             -                               Complete
18
Reduce 0.2 FTE in Democratic and Registration Service via a two
year phased retirement RR07 A Douglas 18                             18                             -                               Complete
19
Right sizing anticipated income from regulatory and
regeneration fees RR12 A Douglas 130                           130                           -                               Complete
December 2023 Saving Options
20
Reduce the West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust Mgt Fee by up to
30% CCF01 A Graham 940                           940                           -                               Complete
21
Two week Christmas closedown bar delivery of essential
services RES07 L Slavin 7                               -                            7                                  
Reversed, cost pressure will be
added for 25-26
22
End the provision of hybrid committee meetings which would
enable the committee team to return to its existing
establishment RR03 A Douglas 21                             21                             -                               Complete
Complete
March 2024 Saving Options Complete
23 Reduce opening hours of Clydebank Town Hall  to 4 days a week CCF02 A Graham 30                             30                             -                               Complete
24 Reduce investment in materials in library service CCF06 A Graham 50                             50                             -                               Complete
25 Reduce financial commitment to the Highland Games CCF11 A Graham 14                             14                             -                               Complete
26
Review core library staffing (outwith branch libraries)  and
remove one post CCF19 A Graham 18                             18                             -                               In Progress
27
Review menus in educational establishments to reduce waste
whilst ensuring compliance with nutritional guidance CCF20 A Graham 60                             60                             -                               Complete
28
Reduce Community Budgeting fund by 50% reducing money
available for community groups to bid for CCF24 A Graham 27                             27                             -                               Complete
29
Reduce  the Community Engagement budget by 50% reducing
the number of events supported CCF25 A Graham 22                             22                             -                               Complete
30
Review the Communities team reducing the delivery of
community based services CCF26 A Graham 87                             67                             20                                
Delay in implementation, in year
shortfall will be covered by the
smoothing fund. Full year savings
expected in future years.
31 Remove counselling and physio PT10 V Rogers 47                             47                             -                               Complete
32 Remove 3.6 FTE in CAS team PT13 V Rogers 112                           112                           -                               Complete
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 4
MONITORING OF EFFICIENCIES AND MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENTS 2024/25
Efficiency Detail Ref Chief Officer
Budgeted Amount
£000 
Projection of Total
Saved £000 
Projection of Total
Not Saved £000 Comment
33 Reduce WDCVS funding by 50% RES02 L Slavin 75                             75                             -                               Complete
34 Remove one Council officer RES09 L Slavin 26                             26                             -                               Complete
35
Remove £12,500 of Nightzone West funding provided to Police
Scotland RR01 A Douglas 12                             12                             -                               Complete
36
Reduction in 2 FTE paralegal support to contracts and property
section RR08 A Douglas 90                             67                             23                                 Delay in implementation.
March 2024 Management Adjustments
37 Review Arts & Heritage Service CCF16 A Graham 24                             24                             Complete
38
Restructure of Transactional Services to remove one vacant G10
post PT09 V Rogers 30                             30                             -                               Complete
39
Transfer cost of solicitor support for the council housing
building prog to HRA capital budget RR09 A Douglas 60                             60                             -                               Complete
40 Remove vacant contaminated land officer post RR11 A Douglas 30                             30                             -                               Complete
41
Reduce support to planning and building standards by removing
a vacant part time technical support assistant post RR13 A Douglas 16                             16                             -                               Complete
42
Remove a service co-ordinator in env health team and invite 2
service co-ordinators to be interviewed for the principal env
health officer post. RR14 A Douglas 68                             68                             -                               Complete
43 Remove vacant Planning Compliance Officer post RR15 A Douglas 30                             30                             -                               Complete
44 Remove one of the 3 Building Standards Surveyor Posts RR16 A Douglas 53                             53                             -                               Complete
45 Reduce hours of solicitor from 5 days to 4 days RR17 A Douglas 12                             12                             -                               Complete
46 Fund existing Grade 8 post from UK Towns Fund Support RR18 A Douglas 60                             60                             -                               Complete
47
Fund officer costs associated with Levelling Up from final year
of Levelling Up Rev funding. RR19 A Douglas 60                             60                             -                               Complete
2,875                         2,825                                  50 TOTAL EFFICIENCIES/MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENTS
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by the Chief Officer – Resources
Corporate Services Committee – 6 November 2024
___________________________________________________________________
Subject: Corporate Services Capital Budgetary Control Report to 31 August 2024
(Period 5)
1. Purpose
1.1 This report provides an update on the Corporate Services capital programme
to 31 August 2024.
2. Recommendations
2.1 Committee is asked to:
i) Note the current position of the 2024/25 capital budget for Corporate
Services
ii) Note that the project life total is currently on track.
iii) Note the revised completion date detailed in appendix 2.
3. Background
3.1 On 6 March 2024 the Council approved the updated General Services Capital
Plan for 2024/2025 to 2032/33.  The three years from 2024/25 to 2026/27
were approved in detail with the remaining years being indicative.
3.2 Since then budget adjustments have taken place which result in a revised
Corporate Services capital budget as set out in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Revised Corporate Services Capital Budget
2024/25
(£m)
Project Life
(£m)
Corporate Services Capital Budget Agreed 6 March 2024 3.624 28.560
Remove Electronic Insurance System, Project ended. (0.007) (0.050)
RES 7 Community Success Capital Fund 0.150 0.150
RES 8 Community Sports Success Capital Fund 0.250 0.250
RES 4 Agresso Project 0.040 0.040
Reprofiling Agreed at P3 0.123 0
Revised Capital Budget as at Period 5 4.180 28.950
ITEM 15
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4. Main Issues 
4.1 Progress against the 2024/25 capital plan is detailed in: 
Appendix 1 – Project Life Summary by Chief Officer 
Appendix 2 – Off Track Projects 
Appendix 3 – Changes to Capital Plan for Noting 
Appendix 4 – All Approved Projects 
4.2  The overall programme summary report at Appendix 1 shows that planned
expenditure against the budget agreed 6 March 2024 is on track. 
4.3 Appendix 2 highlights one project currently showing as off-track.  
• Heritage Fund is off-track as a result of a delay to the installation of the
new district heating system and also due to water ingress. 
4.4  Appendix 3 there are no projects to be reprofiled at period 5. 
4.5  Appendix 4 shows all projects with approved in year and project life budgets
as well as anticipated expenditure. It highlights that the 2024/25 budget is
£4.180m with current forecast spend of £4.180m. The spend as at period 5 is
£0.540m (12.93%) of the current forecast spend of £4.180m.   
5. Option Appraisal
5.1 No option appraisal was required for this report. 
6. People Implications
6.1 There are no people implications. 
7. Financial and Procurement Implications
7.1 The report notes the projected in-year financial position for capital budgets. 
8. Risk Analysis
8.1 The main risks are as follows: 
(a) The reported variances should be viewed in the knowledge that there
are a number of variable factors which could arise between now and 31
March which could affect the year end results for capital budgets. 
(b) As a consequence of current market conditions, inflation is at an all-time
high and interest rates continue to be volatile. To forecast for the full
year costs budget assumptions have been required. These assumptions
continue to change regularly and therefore it is likely the projected year
end budgetary position will change from that reported. 
9. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA)
9.1 No equalities impact assessment was required in relation to this report. 
10. Environmental Sustainability
10.1 No assessment of environmental sustainability was required in relation to this
report.
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11. Consultation
11.1 All services involved in delivering the capital budgets have been consulted in
the compilation of this report. 
12. Strategic Assessment
12.1 Proper budgetary control and sound financial practice are cornerstones
of good governance and support Council and officers to pursue the
strategic priorities of the Council’s current Strategic Plan. This report
forms part of the financial governance of the Council. 
Laurence Slavin
Chief Officer – Resources
Date: 14 October 2024
________________ 
Person to Contact: Adrian Gray 
Council Offices, Church Street, Dumbarton  
E-mail: adrian.gray@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 
Appendices: Appendix 1 -  Project Life Summary 
Appendix 2-  Off Track Projects
Appendix 3 -  Reprofiling and Acceleration of Projects
Appendix 4 -  Details of all Projects. 
Background Papers:  General Services Capital Plan Update - Council 6 March 
2024.      
Capital Monitoring Report – Council 28 August 2024. 
Wards Affected           All Wards 
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Period 5 - 31 August 2024 Appendix 1
Summary
Project
Life
Budget
Project Life
Forecast Spend
Project
Life
Variance
On
Track/Complete Off Track
£'000 £'000 £'000
Resources 15,838    15,838                -          8 0
Citizen, Cultural and Facilities 2,912      2,912                  -          2 1
Regulatory and Regeneration 58           58                       -          2 0
People and Transformation 10,142    10,142                -          4 0
Total 28,950    28,950                0 16 1
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Projects that are Off Track as at Period 5 - 31 August 2024 Appendix 2
Service Project
Approved
Project Life
Cost
Revised
Project
Life Cost
Project Life
Variance
Initial
Completion
Date
Revised
Completion
Date
£'000 £'000 £'000
CCF2 Heritage Capital Fund             2,491        2,491                   -   30/03/2024 31/03/2026
Project Name: Heritage Fund - CCF 2 Project Manager:  Michelle Lynn
Initial Completion End Date: 30/09/2024 Revised End Date: 31/03/2026
How was this project initially funded: Please Detail any additional funding
Prudential Borrowing n/a
Why is the project classified as off track and what has caused the issues identified?
This project was delayed due to installation of new district heating system and water ingress.
Physical completion of project by March 2025 with financial completion due to retentions by March 2026.
What action will be taken to rectify the position? n/a
New Completion Date: 31/03/2026
What are the implications on the actions proposed?
Revenue Implications n/a
Virement Implications n/a
Source of Funding
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Changes to Capital Plan and Implications Appendix 3
No projects required to be reprofiled for P5.
Project
Current
Year
2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
Future
Years 
Total Capital
Plan   
-             -             -           -                 
-                 
Explanation
Page 134

Page 135

All Approved Projects at Period 5 - 31 August 2024 Appendix 4
Service Project
Initial End
Date
Revised End
Date
Project Life
Budget
Spend to
31 /3/24 Spend to
Date
Projected
Future
Spend
Total
Projected
Spend
Project
Variance
Approved
Budget
2024/25 
Actual to
date
2024/25 
Revised
Forecast
2024/25 
In Year
Variance 
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000  £'000  £'000  £'000
RES 1 Valuation Joint Board - Requisition of ICT Equipment 31/03/2025 31/03/2025 25                6                              12 13                                 25                -   11              6               11              -           
RES 2 Cash Receipting system enhancements 30/09/2023 31/03/2025 30                5                                5 25                                 30                -   25              -            25              -           
RES 4 Agresso Development 30/04/2024 30/09/2024 102              62                            82 20                               102                -   40              20             40              -           
RES 5 Cost of Living 31/03/2026 31/03/2026 1,002           502                        583 419                          1,002                -   250            81             250            -           
RES 6 IFRS 16 Database 31/03/2023 31/03/2025 5                  -                          -   5                                     5                -   5                -            5                -           
RES 7 Community Success Capital Fund 31/03/2025 150              -                          -   150                             150                -   150            -            150            -           
RES 8 Community Sports Success 31/03/2025 250              -                          10 240                             250                -   250            10             250            -           
RES 12 Direct Project Support 31/03/2025 31/03/2025         14,274               -                  52 14,222                   14,274                -   1,586                       52 1,586         -           
Total Resources 15,838         575           744            15,094       15,838           -             2,317         169           2,317         -           
CCF 1 Heritage Capital Fund 31/03/2024 31/03/2026 2,491           2,234                  2,288 203                          2,491                -   257            54             257            -           
CCF 2 Transformation of Infrastructure Libraries and Museums 31/03/2024 31/03/2025 421              326                        366 55                               421                -   95              40             95              -           
Total CCCF 2,912           2,560        2,654         259            2,912             -             353            94             353            -           
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RR 1 Legal Case Management System 31/03/2024 31/03/2026 33                -                          -   33                                 33                -   -             -            -             -           
RR 2 Re -imagine Antonine Wall   31/03/2024 31/03/2025 25                15                            15 10                                 25                -   15              -            15              -           
Total Regulatory and Regeneration 58                15             15              43              58                  -             15              -            15              -           
P&T 1 ICT Modernisation 31/03/2025 31/03/2025 4,718           -                        125 4,593                       4,718                -   482            125           482            -           
P&T 2 ICT Security & DR 31/03/2025 31/03/2025 4,143           -                        104 4,039                       4,143                -   642            104           642            -           
P&T 3 365 Implementation 30/09/2023 31/03/2026 983              418                        466 517                             983                -   325            48             325            -           
P&T 4 Development of Workforce Management System 31/03/2030 31/03/2030 298              -                          -   298                             298                -   46              -            46              -           
Total P&T 10,142         418           695            9,447         10,142           -             1,495         277           1,495         -           
Overall Total 28,950         3,568        4,108         24,842       28,950           -             4,180         540           4,180         -           
Full Project Life In Year
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