Lomond Councillor Martin Rooney has written to West Dunbartonshire Council Chief Executive, Joyce White and the Councils Head of Legal, Democratic and Regulatory Services, Mr Andrew Fraser, regarding the Council’s recent advert for Modern Apprenticeship vacancies. The Council has advertised to recruit a number of Modern Apprentices but has set an age limit of 16 – 19 year olds which Councillor Rooney believes is an unnecessary age barrier which will prevent other young people in West Dunbartonshire from applying for the positions. Councillor Rooney said: ‘It appears to me that the Council is restricting the age limit in order to maximise payments from other agencies such as Skills Development Scotland. Although in financial terms this seems a very sensible approach, I am concerned that the Council is imposing unnecessary barriers to other young people applying for these Modern Apprenticeship vacancies.’ In response Mr Fraser has agreed that ‘…  the Equalities Impacts need to be considered.’ According to Skills Development Scotland, Modern Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over who lives in Scotland and wishes to work towards industry recognised qualifications. They are available in a wide range of sectors and offer individuals the opportunity to train as a craftsperson or for a technical or managerial role whilst in paid employment. In February, West Dunbartonshire had 4,010 people claiming JSA but with only 129 unfilled jobcentre vacancies, this meant that there were 31.1 people for each vacancy. This figure compares very unfavourably to the figures for Scotland as whole which is 7.5 people per vacancy and 5.7 people per vacancy in the UK and it places West Dunbartonshire as the area with the smallest number of vacancies per job seeker in Scotland. West Dunbartonshire also has the second highest rate of youth unemployment in Scotland and the number of people in the age group 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for more than 12 months increased to 160 in February. Youth unemployment (18 -24 year olds) in West Dunbartonshire during February 2012 was at staggering 14.2% an increase of 1.25% since January.  Councillor Rooney added: ‘I want the council to help all 16 – 19 year olds get access to training and job opportunities but I am really disappointed that other young people have been excluded. It is clear that focussing on the 16 – 19 year olds is the result of the restrictions placed on us by the Scottish Government but it is fundamentally unfair on those 20 – 24 year olds who make up the bulk of our youth unemployment figures.’ 

West Dunbartonshire Constituency Labour Party has announced its candidates for the Council Elections on 3^rd May. In 2007 the Labour Party returned the biggest number of Councillors and got the biggest share of the vote but did not have sufficient support to form the administration.  Labour is putting forward a strong team with a broad mix of skills and experience.  Our candidates are as follows: (i)  Ward 1 Lomond: Councillor Martin Rooney and Hazel Sorrell; (ii) Ward 2 Leven: Councillor John Millar and Michelle Stewart; and (iii) Ward 3 Dumbarton: Councillor David McBride and Thomas Rainey

 LOMOND WARD – About Martin Rooney: Martin Rooney was first elected in 2003, in the former Balloch Ward where he defeated the then SNP Group Leader. Following the introduction of multi member wards in 2007, he was re-elected as a councillor in the Lomond Ward. He has served on various Council committees including Education, Social Work, Corporate Services, and Housing. Martin is currently the Leader of the Labour Group and Chair of the Council’s Audit & Performance Review Committee.  Martin has an honours degree in Social Policy and has worked for the MOD since 1993. Prior to joining the MOD he served 15 years in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards where he saw active service in the first Gulf War. Martin said: ‘It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to stand for election in the Lomond Ward again. Being a councillor is about engaging with local people and representing their interests in the council decision making process. We have a duty to scrutinise the management and control of council services and where necessary expose its failings so that we can introduce changes to council policy.  If the electorate place their trust in me again on 3^rd May, I will ensure that the best interests of our communities are at the forefront of everything I do.’

 LOMOND WARD – About Hazel Sorrell: Hazel has lived in Haldane for the past 44 years and has two grown up children. She worked in the Haldane Leisure Barn; the Haldane Co-op; and the Vale of Leven Swimming Pool as a lifeguard. Hazel’s current job is with Share Scotland where she works with adults with special needs. She is also Vice Chair of Vale of Leven Branch Labour Party and has represented people with special needs on the Dumbarton Football Club Trust.  Hazel said: ‘Times are tough for many families throughout the whole of West Dunbartonshire. We have the highest unemployment in Scotland but are getting the least support. I want to have an opportunity to help others through these difficult times and to improve our communities. I also want services to be improved without putting the burden of excessive charges on vulnerable people. The residents in Lomond Ward need a councillor who knows and understands the day-to-day issues and concerns of local people.’    

 LEVEN WARD -  About Michelle Stewart: Michelle is the mother of six children and is also the Chair of the Vale of Leven Branch Labour Party. Michelle was the Chair of the Dalmonach Community Centre Management Advisory Committee and was involved in a campaign to retain the community centre. She also helped to organise a fund day for the Dalmonach community last year, which coincided with the Royal Wedding. Michelle has also campaigned at a national level as part of the C-Diff campaign for justice following the recent outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital.  Michelle said: ‘I was absolutely delighted to be selected to stand as a candidate in the Leven Ward. It’s one of the biggest wards in West Dunbartonshire covering Renton, Alexandria, Dalmonach, Bonhill, Bellsmyre and High Overtoun. It’s a huge challenge but I know that I am up to that challenge and I am determined and I’m not afraid to speak up on behalf of local residents and to fight for improvements on their behalf.’  

LEVEN WARD -  About John Millar: John was elected to the Leven Ward in 2007. Over the past five years he has served on a number of Council committees including Education, Housing, Appeal, and Community Participation Committee.  John is married to Elaine, a council welfare rights worker based working with MacMillan Cancer partnership, and they have two children. John works for the MOD and was a shop steward in Faslane.  John said: ‘My main focus as a councillor has always been on my Ward. I have helped hundreds of people over the past few years and worked closely with community groups. I just want to ensure that the council delivers the best possible services to my constituents, and that when we have issues such as fire raising and anti social behaviour then it is my job as a local councillor to highlight this and get the experts involved so that something gets done.’

DUMBARTON WARD – About David McBride: David has lived in Dumbarton all his life.  He is married with 2 children. He works for Dept for Work and Pensions as an Executive Officer and is also a PCS Branch Secretary for Forth Valley & Dunbartonshire. David was elected to serve Dumbarton Ward in 2007 and has worked tirelessly towards tackling anti-social behaviour and improving the communities he represents. Since 2007 David has served on a number of committees such as Corporate Governance, Housing & Education. He was the Labour Finance Spokesperson and is currently the Labour Housing spokesperson. David has also taken on a key role in campaigning for the introduction of the Minimum Living Wage in the Council and wants to extend this to others. David said: ‘As a Labour Councillor I have campaigned for fairness and for every community to live peacefully and securely without the fear of crime and anti social behaviour.  I am delighted to be given the opportunity to stand again to represent Dumbarton and promise to continue to work hard for our town and improve the area we live.’  

 DUMBARTON WARD – About Thomas Rainey: Tommy is 58 and is Dumbarton born and bred. Tommy is a retired UNISON Convener on West Dunbartonshire Council. He served 35 years as a Trades Union representative both at national and local level. He is also the Dumbarton Branch Labour Party Secretary. Tommy takes an active interest in his community and is a former Director of Alternatives and currently serves as a Director of the Benview Project in Dumbarton. His main interests are Dumbarton, Politics and football. Tommy said: ‘I have a wide range of experience in representing individuals and groups at both local and national level and I know how to get things done.  I know from experience that Council services can be a lifeline, and for some housebound people it is often their only human contact. Council staff are the key to the delivery of high quality local services and I want to work in partnership with others to protect jobs and services for local residents.’

At the Council meeting on 29^th February, following a proposal from Councillor Martin Rooney it was agreed that a briefing note be issued to all elected members to keep Councillors up to date with our ongoing engagement with the Care Inspectorate in implementing action plans that had been developed as a result of the recent down grading of standards in respect to two residential care homes for older people. The Care services that were awarded grades of 2 (i.e. weak) or have had requirements placed upon them were: (i) Mount Pleasant House; (ii) Willox Park; (iii) Dalreoch House; and (iv) Dalreoch Day Care. Commenting on the weak quality grades, Labour Group Leader Councillor Martin Rooney said: ‘This is the first time ever that West Dunbartonshire residential care homes for older people have had negative reports about the quality of our services and it is vital that all elected members are kept up to date with our progress in addressing the failures.’  The key recommendations and requirements outlined by the Care Inspectorate following its Inspection of the Councils services fell into four key areas:

• we must undertake a review of current staffing arrangements taking account of residents, health and welfare needs and how these are to be met.
• we must implement a programme of care of regular and meaningful social and recreational activity informed by the needs, choices and preferences of residents.
• we must ensure that personal plans fully and accurately reflect resident’s individual needs, choices, abilities and personal preferences.
• We must ensure that an effective participation strategy should be devised

 Action plans were formulated and submitted to the Care Inspectorate by the services who received critical reports to address the issues identified; these plans were approved by the Care Inspectorate.  The improvement actions, while focusing on issues relating to the services that had their ratings down-graded or requirements identified, are also being applied to all the residential and daycare services for older people operated by the CHCP. The four main issues being addressed are as follows: (i) Person centred care planning, (PCP); (ii) Participation Strategy, (PS); (iii) Review of Staffing Levels and (RSL); and (iv) Meaningful Activities working group. (MA). Councillor Rooney added: ‘Although the critical reports from the Care Inspectorate were very disappointing; they have helped to highlight potential failings across all of our residential and day care services and I am really pleased that we now have action plan in place that will focus on bringing about the required improvements. The Council has also initiated a number of reviews that will help to bring our quality standards back up to the high standards achieved in previous years.’  

Notes: 

• Mount Pleasant Home was revisited by the Care Inspectorate on 19^th December 2011.  They were inspected on the same two quality themes of Care & Support and Staffing as in the previous critical inspection. The inspector raised the grades awarded from 2 – weak to 3 – adequate for both themes.  Also the five requirements detailed in the previous inspection were viewed as having been met and removed.
•  Langcraigs Centre was inspected on 22^nd December 2011.  Their inspection also focussed on the two themes of Care & Support and Environment.  For these themes they were again awarded the grades of 4 – good.
•  Willox Park was revisited on 26^th January 2012; a draft inspection report has been issued.  They were inspected on the same two quality themes of Care & Support and Environment they as in the previous critical inspection.  They have been given grades of 3 – adequate for both themes, an improvement from 2 – weak awarded in the last inspection.  The requirements detailed in the previous inspection were viewed as having been met and removed.
•  Boquhanran House & Dalreoch House were inspected on 30^th & 31^st January 2012 respectively.  On this occasion they were inspected on the themes of Care & Support and Environment rather than just Care & Support. In both Inspections the quality of the physical environment was subject to scrutiny and we anticipate recommendations for improvements to be made. The outcome of the Inspections will be reported in detail to the March meeting of the CHCP Committee.
•  A number of actions were initiated following the critical inspection reports.
•  All action plans have been received by the Care Inspectorate and are being progressed;
• A full staffing review is in progress across all 6 Homes using the Revised Elderly Persons Disability Scale;
• An Activity Focus Group has been established which includes carers and residents to review and implement activities across the 6 Homes;
• A draft Participation Strategy is currently being circulated for comments and feedback before it is implemented across the 6  Homes;
• A new person centered care plan has been implemented across the 6 Homes covering aspects of daily living, risk assessments, physical, social and health assessments all using validated tools.

The latest version of the Councils Social & Economic Profile showed that the number of recorded crimes increased by 10%, to 13,546. In 2009 the total number of recorded offences was 12,242. The three largest number of crimes committed were: (i) ‘Other’ driving offences with 1,729 offences recorded; (ii) Breach of the Peace 1,678 offences recorded; and (iii) Vandalism & Fire Raising with 1,492 offences recorded. In addition both drug possession and drug supply crimes increased; along with offences for common assault; other violent/indecency crimes; and serious assault crimes increased. Commenting on the Social & Economic Profile 2011 findings, Councillor John Millar said: ‘The Council and Strathclyde Police had rightly flagged up the reductions in Serious Violent Crime and offenses involving weapons and knives but I was really surprised to learn that crime in our area had actually increased by 10% in 2010.’

The link to the West Dunbartonshire Council, Social & Economic Profile is: http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/community-and-living/facts-and-figures/

At the Council meeting on 29^th February, Councillors were asked to note the Single Outcome Agreement 2009 – 2011, ‘Final Progress Report’. The Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) is a strategic agreement between the Scottish Government & West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership (CPP). The CPP comprises strategic partners such as the Council; Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board; Strathclyde Police; Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and other strategic partners and voluntary organisations. The Council is the lead partner and the SOA is part of the ‘new working relationship between central and local government …’ The SOA identifies areas for improvement and sets out how the CPP and the Scottish Government will deliver better outcomes for the people of West Dunbartonshire. Commenting on the ‘Final Progress Report’ Labour Group Leader Councillor Martin Rooney said: ‘I am really disappointed as the Single Outcome Agreement demonstrates the abject failure of the SNP to deliver better outcomes for the people of West Dunbartonshire.’  

The ‘Final Progress Report’ shows that of the 103 Performance Indicators, the Council has achieved just 52% of its targets but has failed on the other 48%. A number of the Performance Indicators targets have only been met because the CPP reduced the original targets downwards. So much of the ‘achievements’ would have been failures if the original Performance Target had not been altered. The targets that were altered which would otherwise have resulted in failure of the Performance Indicator included:

• The original target for the number of new businesses created was reduced from 252 to 189.
• The original target for the number of new build social rented properties was for 142 new houses but this was reduced to 77.
• The original target for life expectancy was 79.7 years but this was reduced to 78.3 years.
• The original target for the percentage of primary schools and secondary schools achieving Eco-Schools Green Flag Award was 40% but this was reduced to 30%.

Councillor Rooney said: ‘It will be extremely difficult to convince local people that the Council is delivering better outcomes when in cases where the Council have simply cut the original performance target  and recorded this as an achievement In some cases the Council  performance is actually worse now than it was in 2007.’

As well as the adjustment of performance targets, the Council also experienced failures in a number of key Performance Indicators as follows:

• The vacancy rate in both Alexandria and Clydebank Town Centres achieved the 8% target, with Alexandria reducing from 10% to 8%; and Clydebank reducing from 10% to 7%. However, the vacancy rate in Dumbarton was actually 21%.
• The percentage of people claiming Job Seeker Allowance in 2007 was 6.0%. However in 2010/11 this had increased to 6.3%. During January 2012 however an extra 274 people joined the ranks of the Job Seeker Allowance claimants and showed that West Dunbartonshire had the highest rate of JSA in Scotland at 6.7%.
• The percentage of people in employment in 2007 was 73.4%, however this had reduced to 69% by 2010/11.
• The percentage of people ‘employment deprived’ in 2010/11 was 18.1% against a target of 15%.
• The percentage of school leavers into employment just 13.1% against a target of 20%. (The original target was 22.4% but this was reduced in 2009).
• Residence based median weekly earnings for females saw a 3.9% drop. In 2009/10 it was £403.10 but in 2010/11 the female median weekly earnings had dropped to £328.80, representing a weekly reduction of £74.30. (A fall of £3,863.60 per year).
• The proportion of children in low income households dependent on benefit increased from 58% to 62% between 2009/10 and 2010/11. (In 2008/09 the proportion was 55% so over the three year period we have seen a 7% rise in the percentage of children in low income households).
• The percentage of people defined as fuel poor was 20% against a target of 16%.
• The number of anti social offences in West Dunbartonshire had increased by 119.6% above the target.
• The percentage of working age residents with no qualifications was 15.7% against a target of 13%. (The Scottish average is 12.3%).
• The percentage of pupils passing 3 or more SQA exams at SCQF level 6 or better was 17.6% against a target of 19%.
• The number of people with a learning disability assisted into paid employment was 36 against a target of 46.
• The percentage of Citizens Panel respondents who are satisfied with the physical appearance of their local area was just 55% compared to a target of 75%. (In 2009/10 the number satisfied was 64%).
• The net population migration target was 100 people; however in 2010/11 the actual net population migration was 369 people. West Dunbartonshire had the third highest population loss in Scotland.
• The percentage of residents agreeing with the statement: ‘My council provides high quality services’ was 40% against a target of 70%.

Councillor Rooney added: ‘The Single Outcome Agreement was designed to ‘improve outcomes’ for local people. However, the ‘Final Progress Report’ clearly shows that the SNP Council have failed miserably to deliver on their commitments. In 2007 the SNP Group wanted to run West Dunbartonshire Council, so badly; unfortunately for the citizens of West Dunbartonshire this is the one target which they have actually achieved.‘