Councillor Patrick McGlinchey presented West Dunbartonshire Labour Group Budget to the Special Council meeting on Thursday 26th January, 2012. A copy of the budget proposals is reproduced below:

Over recent weeks West Dunbartonshire has suffered from severe storm damage costing hundreds of thousands of pounds and has submitted a claim to the Scottish Government Bellwin scheme to help support the exceptional costs. On 28^th November 2011 and 2 January 2012 the area was subjected to severe weather events across Scotland. Both of these events hit the West Dunbartonshire area hard impacting on the delivery of Council services, and increased the demand on the councils emergency and contingency services. Leven Councillor John Millar said: The Council staff have done a fantastic amount of work both in dealing with the emergencies and in the clear up after the storms. The feedback I have received from my constituents about this has been absolutely fantastic.’ A breakdown of some of the key issues and costs is set out below:  

Waste Services: A full waste collection service was scheduled for Tuesday 3 January 2012. Collection operations were halted for around 2 hours from 08.00am to 10.00am when wind speeds were at their highest. Operations resumed thereafter with approximately 95% of the collections scheduled for the day completed. The outstanding collections from Tuesday 6 January 2012 were completed over the next two days. Because of the storm and the likelihood that householders will be placing storm debris and detritus from their homes and gardens into their wheeled bins, the amnesty which was applied during Christmas and New Year weeks, on uplifting excess waste and emptying bins with bin lids that will not close due to overfilling, has been extended to Friday 13 January 2012.  

Roads: On 28^th November Knowle Burn breached causing flooding to residential properties within Round Riding Road and Netherbog Avenue. Ongoing flood prevention scheme due to commence May 2012 will address this issue in future. Gruggies burn and Scottish water drainage systems breached causing considerable damage to properties within Dumbarton East. Dumbarton High Street car parks flooded. The promotion of a Gruggies Burn Flood prevention scheme and the River Clyde/Leven prevention schemes will require to be developed to address this issue in the future. C Class Road network Gartocharn badly affected, Gallangad Bridge destroyed, temporary access currently provided to 7 affected properties via private farm track which has been upgraded to facilitate access. Anticipated replacement cost £300,000. Various culverts still blocked on C Class road network, anticipated cost approx £5,000 to clear. Various culverts blocked throughout Dumbarton and Clydebank, cost of clearance to date approx £50,000.  

Storm Wind – mid December 2011: Surge tide forecast, precautionary works undertaken to protect vulnerable properties – no impact on residential properties. Riverside car parks flooded, approx 5 cars damaged as a result of water ingress. Many trees blown down but all cleared with no significant impact.  

Storm Winds – January 2012: Winter maintenance standby crews operational outwith normal operating hours during this period. A811 Gartocharn Road and Renton Road subjected to flooding as a result of debris on roads. All roads now cleared. Many roads affected by fallen trees – all now cleared. A number of Street Lighting columns had also been damaged & were currently being made safe. Discussions will be required with adjoining land owners regarding condition of trees, however in this instance it was compounded by the saturated ground conditions. Significant damage to flood defence bund on River Leven at Dumbarton golf course as a result of high tide and severe wave action. Anticipated repair/strengthening cost approx £300,000. A study of the river flow pattern will require to be undertaken to inform what strengthening works are required to address the ongoing damage to the river defence system. River defence revetment walls at Dumbarton Castle and associated footpaths/fencing damaged. Anticipated repair cost £50,000. Localized street lighting outages as a result of lanterns being blown off, water ingress to cabling. All currently being repaired through term maintenance contract. Centre of Dumbarton and Carrochan Roundabout, Balloch worst affected.  

Greenspace: General open space land and housing gardens – approx. 700 trees district wide felled. In addition to this specific areas include:

Parks: Balloch Park – over 100 mature trees felled, numerous branches hung up. Christie Park – 12 large trees felled. Levengrove Park – 10 mature trees felled. Dalmuir Park – 6 mature trees felled. Overtoun, Auchnacraig and Auchentoshan Country estates – estimated over 100 mature trees felled with numerous paths blocked or damaged.

Cemeteries: Vale of Leven Cemetery – 40 large trees felled, 50 headstones down. Dumbarton Cemetery – 30 large trees felled, 40 hung up trees require felling, 30 headstones to be reset. Clydebank Cemeteries – 28 large trees felled, 45 headstones down. Extensive damage to shore walkway between Levengrove and Havoc. Work commenced on Thursday 12 January to start to clear the shore walkway and make safe the route for pedestrians. Costs for the final repair will be available later. In the days immediately following the storm all resources were targeted at safety issues. This has resulted in a backlog of our street cleaning operation. To date 3,791 man hours have been spent on clean up (this equates to an additional £80,000 in salary costs at this time).  It is estimated that it will take 6 – 8 weeks to carry out the majority of the clean up. In addition to our own in-house teams we are recruiting contractors with specialist equipment to deal specifically with the removal of large trees, path and walkway reinstatement and other minor damage that cannot be dealt with through our own staff. This will cost approximately £150,000.

Facilities Management: In summary there was major damage to a few schools as per updates below and minor damage to most others. There was close liaison with the Director of Education on 3/4/5/6 January and emergency repair work was undertaken as speedily as possible to ensure that all schools could be fully operational on Monday for children returning. Costs for repairs have not yet been fully identified.

Our Lady and St. Patrick’s High – Large area of felt roof off two classrooms on 6^th floor. Installation of visqueen sheeting within these two classrooms and round the clock efforts from Janitors, Education staff and Property Co-ordinator from 4 January contained much of the incoming rain until temporary repairs could be affected over the weekend and into this week. Temporary repairs are almost complete however permanent repair requires to be programmed. 

Whitecrook Primary – Water ingress in stairwell to Cunard Centre due to roof damage. Temporary roof works have been carried out however permanent repair requires to be programmed.

Braehead Primary – Felt off sections of roof. Temporary repairs cannot commence until scaffolding is available which should be sometime later this week thereafter permanent repair requires to be programmed.

Dalreoch Primary – Large area of felt off roof of P1, 2 & 3 classrooms. Temporary repairs are presently ongoing and children have been decanted to alternative classes. Permanent repairs require to be scheduled.

Kilpatrick School – Structural repairs have commenced to gym hall roof.  Gym hall presently closed to pupils.

Dumbarton Academy – External wall to gym hall damaged casing water penetration and electrical problems. Contractor is presently engaged to rebuild wall. Gym presently closed to pupils.

Clydebank Town Hall - Some dislodged ridge tiles and slates, impact damage to new rendering, damage to gate and block paving in service yard, broken window. Damage has been notified to Clark Contracts who are presently responsible for premises however may be subject to an Insurance Claim (Storm Damage Insurance remains responsibility of Council).

General – Slates and ridge tiles missing from roofs on a number of properties, fallen trees, broken windows, etc.

Repairs and Maintenance: The current position is as follows: 

• 1300 emergency repairs orders raised and completed throughout the district, obviously short term solution.
• 0 emergency repairs outstanding
• All back office ciboodle referrals cleared from the corporate contact centre (overflow from repairs contact centre).   
• 210 permanent roof repairs completed to date, permanent solution.
• 1451 reinstatement repairs raised to date; although this figure is expected to increase significantly over the duration of the next few weeks when all follow up works have been input/follow up audits are complete

Known housing properties significantly damaged by the storm: 

• Clydeholm Terrace, Clydebank – roof blown off, scaffold erection completed and passed safe for use, all debris removed from site, area secured by heras fencing, await consultancy services providing recommendations for temporary repairs to make watertight and specification/drawings for roof renewal.
• Edmonstone Court, Clydebank – over cladding and glazing severally damaged by flying debris from Clydeholm terrace.
• Yokerburn Terrace, Clydebank – roof, gutters, fascia, soffits and windows damaged by flying debris from Clydeholm terrace.  
• Gavins Road, Clydebank – entire flat roof structure blown off front of property, felt and insulation from the rest of the building, debris cleared from site, consultancy service attended site and are preparing specification to reinstate roof, scaffold erection commenced Monday 09/01/12, property still to be made watertight after scaffold erected.
• Stark Avenue, Clydebank – felt, insulation, decking blown off property, contractor engaged to reinstate decking and felt, scaffold erection commenced Monday 09/01/12, property still to be made watertight after scaffold erected.
• Montrose Street, Clydebank – metal roofs blown off completely or practically from buildings; loose sections of metal roof materials re-secured, temporary tarpaulins fitted to try to keep watertight, quotations requested and awaited from specialist companies to renew roofs.      
• Mossgiel Drive, Clydebank – metal roof damaged, temporary repairs completed, awaiting repair costs.
• Scott Avenue, Bowling – flat roof covering blown off, contractor engaged to reinstate, awaiting costs. 
• Milton Estate, Alexandria – flat roof covering blown off, contractor engaged to reinstate, costs received and contractor given go-ahead, commencing scaffold erection on 12/01/11, expected to take up to 6 week to completed, should be watertight within 2 weeks.  
• Cumbrae Crescent South, Dumbarton – roof blown off, temporary repairs carried out.
• Halkett Crescent, Alexandria – roof blown off, temporary repairs carried out.
• Various lockup/garage site – damaged flat roofs, all debris cleared from known site.
• Extensive damage has occurred to many roofs throughout West Dunbartonshire but far too many to list.
• Debris cleared from all main known storm damaged sites.                  

Public Buildings:

• 6 schools required flat roofing repairs to be completed last week ref Facilities Management Update above
• All other public building operational although damage has been sustained to many.

Asset Management: Since last Thursday, the Councils Structural Engineer has assessed 3 badly damaged roofs in the Clydebank area and provided advice on short term measures to make the properties safe, wind and watertight. The following schools reported storm damage (in addition to the above under facilities management):- 

1.   Linnvale Primary School – roof damage, water penetration. 

2.   Gavinburn Primary School – fallen tree causing slight roof damage & damage to gutters, retaining wall at car park seems to be damaged. 

3.   St Mary’s Primary School, Alexandria – roof damage. 

4.   Carleith Primary School – fallen tree causing damage to fence, roof damage & water penetration. 

5.   Christie Park Primary School – roof damage, water penetration.

On 26^th January West Dunbartonshire Tendering Committee will consider bids from five contractors for a £2.699 million contract for improvement works to 13 flats in Rosshead Estate in Alexandria. The flats included in the project are: 

• 1 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (stub block)
• 2 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 3 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 4 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 5 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 7 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (stub block)
• 48 Halkett Crescent, Rosshead (stub block)
• 6 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 7 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 9 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (tenement block)
• 11 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 16 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 18 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 25 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 67 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)
• 73 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead (stub block)

The design works begin in February 2012 and the improvement works are expected to start in March, 2012 and will take 36 weeks to complete. The improvements include: (i) a new insulated over clad system to external walls; (ii) new common close windows; (iii) re-roofing; and (iv) other associated works such as external lighting and installation of communal TV system. This main project will be funded from the Council’s Housing Capital budget. However, the project will also be supported using funds from the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) that forms part of the government’s Heat and Energy Saving Strategy. Commenting on the Rosshead housing improvement project, Lomond Councillor Martin Rooney said: ‘This project will make a significant impact in addressing the long-term dampness problem that has plagued Rosshead Tenants for years.  I know that Rosshead Tenants Association have campaigned long and hard for these improvements and this project is a testament to their determination to improve the quality of lives for the people they represent. The Executive Director of HEED, Elaine Melrose and her staff should also be recognised for all of their hard work in bringing forward this project.’ 

Dumbarton Councillor David McBride has submitted a Motion to West Dunbartonshire Council meeting to be held on 25^th January; detailing Labours Employability Programme; and inviting  all elected members to contribute their ideas and suggestions in order to improve on Labours plans. Councillor McBride said: ‘I was really pleased that the SNP Council had finally accepted that there was a crisis in unemployment in West Dunbartonshire and that all elected members had a duty to do something about it. The purpose of my Motion is to share our ideas with other Councillors and to give every Councillor the chance to contribute to tackling unemployment in our area.’  On 15^th December the SNP Administration put forward their DRAFT Budget for public consultation which included plans to invest £2.5 million to tackle the unemployment crisis. The SNP plan was to create 250 jobs and 200 Modern Apprentice places. In addition they were hoping to increase the number of internal Modern Apprentices employed by the Council. Councillor McBride added: ‘I was fairly impressed by the SNP proposals but I still believed that they were not being ambitious enough for West Dunbartonshire. Labours Employability Programme will maximise match funding opportunities and has the potential to create over 1,000 job placements’  The Employability Programme is broken down into a number of specific projects. The characteristics of each project are defined and a financial resource allocated. This modelling has helped to identify the number of job placements which each project could provide and has helped to identify match funding opportunities. The idea of this approach was to try to cater for as wide a group of unemployed people as possible. There will still be a key focus on youth unemployment but the job placements will be open to other unemployed people in West Dunbartonshire.  Councillor McBride said: ‘Although we have designed specific models for each project we have also ensured that sufficient flexibility has been built in to the Employability Programme to give the Council’s Employability Team as much freedom as possible so that they are able to respond to employers specific requirements and any identified need.’  The UK Coalition Government has also woken up to the unemployment crisis and has committed £1 billion to their Youth Contract http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2011/nov-2011/dwp132-11.shtml which is designed to tackle youth unemployment throughout the UK. As a result of Barnet consequential Scotland is expected to receive around £30 million each year for the next 3 years which can be invested as directed by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government had also announced its £30 million ‘Opportunities for All’ scheme http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/13091128/2 and West Dunbartonshire is expected to receive around £1m from the fund as it has one of the highest levels of unemployment. Labour Group Leader Councillor Martin Rooney said: ‘Labours employability programme reflects Labour values. It provides a range of opportunities for all unemployed people; it provides flexibility for the Employability team to respond to individual needs; and it ensures that there is an element of fairness throughout the different projects as the modelling for the projects is based on a wage rate of £6.20 per hour which is above the National Minimum Wage. The models will of course be affected by a number of different factors in the employment market but the Councils Employability Team already have the skills and experience to overcome these challenges.’    A copy of Councillor McBride’s Motion is reproduced below. 

West Dunbartonshire Council will hold a series of public meetings to give members of the public the opportunity to review the Council’s budget proposals and suggest savings options.  The Budget included spending £2.5 million of reserves on a plan for a one year job creation project. The primary focus of the Job Creation project will be on supporting small businesses and the voluntary sector, encouraging them to take on young unemployed workers. Labour Group Leader Marin Rooney said: ‘The SNP have finally acknowledged the crisis of youth unemployment in West Dunbartonshire but their plans are not as far reaching; innovative or as developed as Labours Employability Programme. Labour Councillors are planning to create 1,000 job placement and training opportunities for unemployed people. In 2009 the SNP introduced a range of charges on elderly; disabled; and hard working families, to raise £2m per year and build up a war chest of £7,477,610 for the Local Government Elections.’ The SNP plan to use the Council reserves in 2012 but will leave a black hole in the Council’s budget in 2013. The SNP plan will result in a budget gap of at least £3,688,590 in 2013/14. Councillor Rooney added: ‘The SNP are keen to tell us what they are going to spend but they have not provided any details of what the increases in charges will be or what services they will have to cut to fill the £3.688 million budget gap in 2013/14.  Labours budget proposals demonstrate our greater ambition for our citizens.’

SNP introduced new charges to raise £2m 

The SNP administration imposed service charges on vulnerable West Dunbartonshire residents in October, 2009. Many were elderly and disabled people who paid more than one of the charges. The charges amount to a mandatory service tax and had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people in West Dunbartonshire. The new charges included:

• The SNP  introduced a new service charge for 2,500 elderly residents for the Care of Garden Scheme which had traditionally been provided free;
• The SNP introduced a new service charge of £15 for each Domestic Bulk Rubbish uplift which was traditionally provided free;
• The SNP imposed a new service charge of £1 per meal for Home Care to 570 housebound and elderly residents;
• The SNP introduced a new service charge on Day Care of £2.50 per trip for the 160 pensioners and adults with learning difficulties using day care facilities, this  raised £104,000 per year; 
• The SNP introduced new service charge of £20 per week for 240 Housing Support Services clients including people with learning disabilities; mental health problems; people with acquired brain injury; and people with physical disabilities.
• The SNP introduced a new service charge of £5 per week for ‘privilege seats’ on school bus contracts affecting 61 pupils.

Increased Service Charges

In addition to the new charges the SNP Administration increased charges for other services as follows:

• The SNP increased the service charge for community alarms to £2 per week for 1,490 elderly and disabled people;
• The SNP increased the service charge to £2 per meal for 200 elderly and disabled day care clients;
• The SNP increased the service charge on residential accommodation for older people with savings by a whopping £67 per week;
• The SNP also increased service charges for sport and leisure; outdoor education; burial and cremation costs; and increased the service charge to community groups using public buildings.

SNP Increased Education Charges In 2009 

West Dunbartonshire primary school pupils were among the groups targeted for increases in charges by the SNP Councilors in their mini budget in 2009. 

• The SNP increased the service charge on Breakfast Clubs by 150% for 1,220 primary school pupils. Over the 38 week school year a parent with one child will have to pay out £47.50, that’s an increase of £30 per year and larger families were disproportionately affected by these significant increases;
• The SNP increased the service charge for school meals for primary 4 to primary 7 and all Secondary School pupils by 16%;
• The SNP increased the service charges to nursery children to generate an annual increase in income of £238,176.25 affecting 407 children;
• The 50% discount for a second child was also removed by the SNP Councilors;
• The SNP increased out of school service charges to generate an additional income of £89,819.

SNP Cuts 140 Teachers 

The SNP led Council has cut 140 teacher jobs over the past 4 years despite the SNP Council Leaders public commitment to protect services. Councillor Rooney said: ‘Cutting teacher numbers will not help to improve attainment; or increase educational opportunities and outcomes for our young people.’

SNP Cut Jobs & Service in 2010  

The SNP had cut 187.5 jobs in 2010. The 2012 draft budget has another 43 jobs including:

• Three part time music teachers
• Eighteen Admin/Clerical staff in schools
• Eight staff involved in gully cleaning; leaf clearing; grass cutting and planting 

The Draft Budget book includes £2,489,000 of reductions: (i) £2,037,000 during 2012/13 and (ii) £425,000 during 2013/14. The detail is as follows: 

• Employability Service Redesign £140,000;  
• Internal Audit Restructure £47,000. 
• Review of Finance and Resources staffing structures: £234,000 in 2012/13 and a further £65,000 in 2013/14;
• HROD – review of staffing structures £74,000;
• Review of Legal & Admin staffing structures  £132,000;
• Restructure of Quality improvement Team £52,000;
• Restructure of Educational Psychological Services £50,000;
• Reduce Music Instruction by 3 part-time posts £38,000 in 2012/13 and a further £23,000 in 2013/14;
• Reduce admin/clerical in schools £232,000 in 2012/13 and a further £139,000 in 2013/14;
• Reduction to Workforce Development Grant £50,000;
• Market Test Care Provision around Models of care and level of charges. £225,000 with a further £225,000 in 2013/14;
• Delay filling of vacant mechanic posts £55,000 and a 20% reduction in Driver Services £4,000;
• Save £250,000 through rationalisation of gully cleaning; summer bedding provision; provision of winter bedding displays; reduction in open space grass cutting; leaf clearance frequency; remove half-moon edging from SLA; and remove 20% of shrub beds.

The Councils programme of budget consultation meetings are outlined below:

• Clydebank High School,Monday 16^th January, 2012, 7pm to 9pm
• Vale of Leven Academy, Tuesday 17^th January, 2012, 7pm to 9pm
• Dumbarton Burgh Hall, Wednesday 18^th January, 2012, 7pm to 9pm