STIRLING COUNCIL

MINUTES of MEETING of STIRLING COUNCIL held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
VIEWFORTH, STIRLING on THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016 at 6.00 pm

Present:

Provost Mike ROBBINS (in the Chair)

Councillor Neil BENNY
Councillor Alistair BERRILL
Councillor Johanna BOYD
Councillor Margaret BRISLEY

Depute Convener Callum CAMPBELL
Councillor Martin EARL

Councillor Scott FARMER
Councillor Danny GIBSON
Councillor Alycia HAYES
Councillor John HENDRY
Councillor Graham HOUSTON

Councillor Graham LAMBIE
Councillor Alasdair MACPHERSON
Councillor Corrie McCHORD
Councillor Gerry MCLAUGHLAN
Councillor Ian MUIRHEAD
Councillor Mark RUSKELL
Councillor Christine SIMPSON
Councillor Jim THOMSON
Councillor Violet WEIR

Councillor Fergus WOOD

In Attendance

Carol Beattie, Senior Manager – Economic Development, Chief Executive’s Office
Jim Boyle, Chief Finance Officer

Stacey Burlet, Director of Communities & Partnerships
Stewart Carruth, Chief Executive

Claire Dunbar, Committee Officer, Corporate Operations

Lesley Gallagher, Programme Manager, Communities & Partnerships
Kristine Johnston, Chief HR Officer

Deborah Kilpatrick, Senior Adviser Communications, Chief Executive’s Office
David Leng, Director of Children, Young People & Education

Kirsty Scott, Communications, Marketing and Events Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Val de Souza, Head of Social Services

Robert Steenson, Director of Housing & Environment

Iain Strachan, Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Operations (Clerk)
Karen Swan, Committee Support Officer, Corporate Operations
Janice Young, Acting Service Manager, Social Services

Announcements

Prior to the formal commencement of proceedings, the Provost advised Council of the passing of former Councillor Tom Hazel.

He also congratulated Councillor Mark Ruskell on being elected as an MSP.

He then asked the Leader of the Council to provide a short update on today’s visit by Lord Dunlop, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, in relation to potential investment in the City Development Framework.

SC457 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

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SC458 URGENT BUSINESS‌‌‌‌

There were no items of urgent business.‌‌

SC459 MINUTES

Special Meeting of Stirling Council – 25 February 2016

The Minutes of the Special Meeting of Stirling Council held on 25 February 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Stirling Council – 3 March 2016

The Minutes of the Meeting of Stirling Council held on 3 March 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Special Meeting of Stirling Council – 23 March 2016

The Minutes of the Special Meeting of Stirling Council held on 23 March 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Pre-Determination Hearing Committee – 7 March 2016

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Pre-Determination Hearing Committee held on 7 March 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Citizenship Appointments Panel – 17 March 2016

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Citizenship Appointments Panel held on 17 March 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Citizenship Appointments Panel – 29 March 2016

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Citizenship Appointments Panel held on 29 March 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.
Local Review Body – 21 April 2016

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Local Review Body held on 21 April 2016 were approved as a correct record of the proceedings.

SC460 WRITTEN QUESTIONS‌‌

Four written questions had been received in terms of Standing Order 41. The questions and answers are attached at Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

The Members who had put the written questions were allowed one supplementary question and the supplementary questions and answers are also included in
Appendix 1.

SC461 QUESTION TIME

No questions were raised.

SC462 HEALTH & SAFETY PANEL VACANCY

Councillor Fergus Wood had resigned as a member of the Health & Safety Panel.

The Panel had a membership of five, 3 Administration and 2 SNP Group representatives.

The following were currently members of the Panel:-

Councillor John Hendry (Chair)
Councillor Graham Houston
Councillor Corrie McChord
Councillor Christine Simpson

Council was invited to appoint an Elected Member to fill the vacancy. Councillor Alycia Hayes had indicated a willingness to take up this position.

Decision

The Council agreed to appoint Councillor Alycia Hayes to serve on the Health & Safety Panel.

(Reference: Report by Director of Corporate Operations, dated 21 April 2016, submitted)

SC463 DISTRICT OF STIRLING LICENSING BOARD – VACANCY

A report submitted by the Director of Corporate Operations invited Council to make an appointment to fill a vacancy on the District of Stirling Licensing Board.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 provided that “where there is a vacancy in the membership of a Licensing Board, the relevant council must, at their first meeting after the vacancy arises, hold an election to fill the vacancy”.

No nominations were received.

Decision

A report inviting Council to make an appointment to fill the remaining vacancy on the District of Stirling Licensing Board would be included on the agenda for the next Council meeting and subsequent meetings until this appointment was agreed.

(Reference: Report by Director of Corporate Operations, dated 8 April 2016, submitted)

SC464 CITIZENSHIP APPOINTMENTS – STIRLING LOCAL LICENSING FORUM AND OF REPORTING OFFICERS/CURATORS AD LITEM

A report was submitted by the Director of Corporate Operations which invited Council
to :-

approve the appointment of a community representative on the Stirling Local Licensing Forum as recommended by the Citizenship Appointments Panel;
approve an appointment to the pool of Reporting Officers/Curators Ad Litem
as recommended by the Citizenship Appointments Panel; and
extend the appointment of existing members of the pool of Reporting
Officer/Curators ad Litem for a further 12 months, until May 2017.

The Chief Governance Officer advised that since the report had been written officers had asked for a further extension to the appointment of existing members of the pool of Reporting Officers/Curators ad Litem, to the end of September 2017, to allow for the setting up of a new Citizenship Appointments Panel following the start of the new Council term.

Decision

The Council agreed:-

to approve the undernoted appointments as recommended by the Citizenship
Appointments Panel -

Craig Anderson to be appointed as a Community Representative on the Stirling Local Licensing Forum; and Alan Rodger to be added to the pool of Reporting Officers/Curators Ad Litem, subject to a suitable Disclosure Scotland check, for a period of three years.
to an extension to the appointment of existing members of the pool of Reporting Officers/Curators Ad Litem until the end of September 2017.

(Reference: Report by Director of Corporate Operations, dated 26 April 2016,
submitted)

SC465 STIRLING COUNCIL ORGANISATIONAL REVIEW - STRUCTURE

A report submitted by the Chief Executive set out a proposed new organisational structure from Director to Service Manager level.

The two main drivers for organisation redesign were the decisions made by Council on 8 October 2015 and 25 February 2016, respectively, to move away from the shared service arrangement with Clackmannanshire Council and to review and reduce the existing structure at Management, Team Leader and Supervisor/Technical/Professional levels over the next two years.

The opportunity had been taken to look at a structure which better addressed the differing needs of our communities and fitted in with the new legislative and policy context.

A Future Structures Steering Group had been set up to take this work forward. The structure which had emerged was designed to meet the design criteria
(Integrated/Joined Up; Personalisation; Place Based; Early Involvement;
Affordable/Financial focus), help the Council deliver its priorities, promote integration and partnership working, support locality working and a focus on localities and be designed for affordability. It had been scenario tested and shared with key partners.

The draft structure was shared with Elected Members, Trades Unions and staff for comments at a number of briefing sessions and these had shaped the final structure.

The net full year saving resulting from the restructure would be £767,000 which was inline with the saving required from this PBB option. Phase 2 of the proposed structure, which would commence following this meeting of the Council, would contribute to the saving required for 2017/18 and was likely to result in a further reduction of between 15 – 20 posts.

Members asked questions/ made comments on:-

What had changed in the proposed structure as a result of comments by Elected Members, Trades Unions and staff
The weightings, remits and reporting lines of specific posts
Staff morale
Potential knock on changes to the Committee structure
Opportunities for participative budgeting

It was noted that it was intended that all of the comments on the new structure, and the replies, would be published.

The Chief Executive agreed to provide Members with a comparison of the existing and new structures in terms of bandings and gradings, being careful not to identify any individual officers. He confirmed that evaluations had been carried out on the weighting of the Director posts.

Decision

The Council agreed:-

in accordance with the Council decisions of 26 June 2014, 8 October 2015 and 25 February 2016, to endorse the new structure and implementation by the Chief Executive of the organisational structure proposals from (and including) Director level down to (and including) team leader level, and thereafter the further implementation of the organisational structure proposals from team leader level down to all other levels;
to delegate authority to the Chief Governance Officer to make any necessary changes to the Scheme of Delegation to reflect the revised organisational structure and circulate the same to Members for information; and
to note that the Chief Executive would make any necessary changes to the Sub Scheme of Delegation and the Scheme of Delegation in respect of Jointly Managed Services to reflect the revised organisational structure and circulate the same to Members for information.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 12 May 2016, submitted)

SC466 ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE POLICY

Stirling Council had approved its current Organisational Change Policy in March 2004. This policy had continued unchanged for 12 years. A review of the terms had been undertaken to ensure the policy met the Council’s requirements now and into the future.

A draft revised policy had been submitted to Council at its meeting on 25 February 2016 and it had been remitted to officers to progress this to approval of the final version.

A joint report submitted by the Chief Executive and Director of Housing & Environment sought the approval of the Council for a refreshed Organisational Change Policy (set out at Appendix 2), to assist the implementation of the Priority Based Budget decisions, which included structural and other changes over the next few years.

The proposed changes to redeployment and voluntary severance were set out in the report.

It was stressed that Stirling Council as a responsible employer would do everything it reasonably could to manage unavoidable reductions in the workforce with sensitivity and compassion. However measures required to be appropriate to local circumstances and to be cost effective.

Consultation with the Trades Unions had continued since the end of February 2016 but agreement had not been reached. The differing viewpoint related to the maximum number of added years to pension and the Trade Union position was set out at paragraph 3.5 to the submitted report.

During discussion of the report Members confirmed that Stirling Council had a policy of no compulsory redundancies and requested that any reference to compulsory redundancy be removed from the Organisational Change Policy.

They also confirmed that there would be a presumption in favour of ring-fencing posts to internal candidates where organisational change necessitated a competitive selection procedure.

The Chief HR Officer confirmed that all employees affected by organisational change would be given 1:2:1 support by HR.

Motion

“That Council agrees:-

to approve the Organisational Change Policy set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, subject to taking out the wording “in the first instance” anywhere that the document refers to a competitive selection procedure being on an internal basis, and removing all references to compulsory redundancy; and
to note that consultation with the Trade Unions had not achieved an agreed position in relation to the review, in particular the proposed reduction in added years to pension.”

Moved by Councillor Johanna Boyd, seconded by Councillor Neil Benny

Amendment

“That Council agrees:-

to note the content of the revised policy and remit it back for further consideration and negotiation with the Trades Unions; and
to bring forward the revised negotiated policy to the June Council meeting.” Moved by Councillor Gerry McLaughlan, seconded by Councillor Scott Farmer

On the roll being called the Members present voted as follows:-
For the Amendment (10)

Councillor Scott Farmer
Councillor Alycia Hayes
Councillor Graham Houston
Councillor Graham Lambie
Councillor Alasdair MacPherson
Councillor Gerry McLaughlan
Councillor Ian Muirhead
Councillor Mark Ruskell
Councillor Jim Thomson
Councillor Fergus Wood

Against the Amendment (12)

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Johanna Boyd
Councillor Margaret Brisley

Depute Convener Callum Campbell
Councillor Martin Earl

Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor John Hendry
Councillor Corrie McChord
Provost Mike Robbins
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Violet Weir

The Amendment fell by 12 votes to 10.
For the Motion (12)

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Johanna Boyd
Councillor Margaret Brisley

Depute Convener Callum Campbell
Councillor Martin Earl

Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor John Hendry
Councillor Corrie McChord
Provost Mike Robbins
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Violet Weir

Against the Motion (10)

Decision

The Motion was carried by 12 votes to 10, and accordingly the Council agreed:-

to approve the Organisational Change Policy set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, subject to taking out the wording “in the first instance” anywhere that the document referred to a competitive selection procedure being on an internal basis, and removing all references to compulsory redundancy; and
to note that consultation with the Trade Unions had not achieved an agreed position in relation to the review, in particular the proposed reduction in added years to pension.

(Reference: Joint Report by Chief Executive and Director of Housing & Environment,
dated 12 May 2016, submitted)

SC467 SOCIAL WORK COMPLAINTS REVIEW PANEL – HEARING OF COMPLAINT

The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 inserted a Section in the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (Section 5B) which required local authorities to establish procedures for considering complaints by Social Work service users. In establishing these procedures, the Council must follow directions contained in the
Social Work (Representations Procedure) (Scotland) Directions 1996 which made provision for the establishment of a Review Committee to process appeals. In Stirling Council this was the Social Work Complaints Review Panel.

In accordance with the 1996 Directions, the Panel must submit its recommendations to the Committee responsible for the subject matter of the complaint, which in this instance was the Council.

The Council was asked to consider the recommendations of the Social Work Complaints Review Panel following the hearing of a complaint, which took place on 21 April 2016. A brief outline of the hearing was set out in the report submitted by the Director of Corporate Operations.

It was stressed that in considering such recommendations, the Council should have regard to the standing of the Social Work Complaints Review Panel and only reject recommendations in exceptional circumstances.

Members expressed concern that they were being asked to approve
recommendations without knowing the detail of the case. It was agreed that the Chief Governance Officer would discuss with the Group Secretaries ways in which Council could receive a fuller briefing on the background to such matters in the future without making any personal details known.

Decision

The Council having considered the recommendations made by the Social Work Complaints Review Panel at its meeting held on 21 April 2016, as detailed at paragraph 3.8 of the submitted report, determined to accept these, without modification.

(Reference: Report by Director of Corporate Operations, dated 9 May 2016, submitted)

SC468 STIRLING COUNCIL SMALL CHARITABLE TRUSTS

A report submitted by the Director of Corporate Operations sought to inform the Council as Charity Trustee of the options for reorganisation of the Stirling Council Small Charitable Trusts, which would enable the assets to be used for charitable purposes that were relevant to modern day society, all for the benefit of the general public of the Stirling Council local government area.

The Council was the sole Charity Trustee of eighteen small charitable trusts which in the financial year 2015/16 had a total value of £109,041 and accrued annual interest in the sum of £473 from funds invested with Stirling Council’s Loans Fund.

In part due to lack of funds and in part due to outdated and/or moribund charitable purposes, none of these charitable trusts had invited applications for funding or paid out any awards or grants in the recent past. Instead they had lain dormant, accumulating very small amounts of interest on an annual basis. As a result, the Council was arguably failing to comply with its statutory duties as Charity Trustee to ensure that the charities operated in a manner that was consistent with its objects and purposes. Applying to reorganise the small charitable trusts would discharge these duties and, significantly, would make the charitable assets available for public use as the original trustor intended. It would also significantly reduce the administrative burden of compliance on officers in Legal and Finance in completing Annual Returns to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and making up Annual Accounts for each small charitable trust.

A summary of the trust purposes of each of the small charitable trusts, with a note of account balances, was provided at Appendix 2 to the submitted report and a map showing the approximate geographic areas of benefit was provided at Appendix 3.

Members agreed, without the need for a roll call vote, to accept the officer recommendations, with the proviso that Community Councils be added to the list of consultees at recommendation 2.4.

Decision

The Council as Charity Trustee agreed:-

to note the options for the reorganisation of the Small Charitable Trusts as outlined within the submitted report;
to reorganise the eight very small poverty related Charities so as to transfer the assets of these Charities to Start-Up Stirling, all as outlined in the report;
to liaise with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in connection with the reorganisation of the PM McIntyre Bequest to seek to transfer its assets to the Callander Common Good Fund, which operated as part of the larger charity known as the Stirling Council Common Good Fund;
to delegate authority to the Director of Corporate Operations to liaise further
with:-
1. the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in connection with the reorganisation of the remainder of the Charities; and
2. potential recipient Charities of the assets of the remainder of the Charities and thereafter, in consultation with the Provost and the Bailies, appropriate Local Members and relevant Community Councils, to determine how the remainder of the Charities were to be reorganised and to which Charities the
  assets were to be transferred to; and
to note that the Director of Corporate Operations would notify all Members as to how the remainder of the Charities were to be reorganised once the reorganisation proposals had been finalised.

(Reference: Report by Director of Corporate Operations, dated 10 May 2016, submitted)

SC469 PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE, REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH – PROGRAMME FOR CHANGE

A report submitted by the Director of Communities & Partnerships advised that the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee and Finance & Economy Committee at their meetings on 21 and 26 April 2016 respectively, had recommended that Council establish a Short Life Working Group to oversee the development of Stirling’s Regeneration Strategy and Programme.

The duration of the Working Group would be four months and it would report back to the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee.

Members discussed links with ongoing work with the Community Planning Partners, the tackling Poverty Working Group and the City Commissioners.

Councillors Scott Farmer and Gerry McLaughlan were nominated as the Opposition representatives on the Working Group.

Decision

The Council agreed to establish a Short-Life Working Group for a four month period to oversee the delivery of Stirling’s Regeneration Strategy and Programme, with the following Member representation:

Convener/Vice Convener of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee;
Convener/Vice Convener of the Finance & Economy Committee;
Two members of the Opposition (Councillors Scott Farmer and Gerry McLaughlan)

(Reference: Report by Director of Communities & Partnerships, dated 28 April 2016, submitted)

SC470 STRATHENDRICK CARE HOME AND DEVELOPING A LOCAL CARE HUB

A report submitted by the Head of Social Services followed on from a report to Council in December 2015 (SC434 refers). A commitment had been made at that time to work with local communities in the South West Rural Stirling Council area to
consider the establishment of a Local Health & Social Care Hub model based around the Strathendrick Care Home facility. The capital receipt from this facility was no longer required as a contribution to the Stirling Care Village Project.

The report advised that a series of meetings had been held with local people and representatives of local groups and organisations. The community had welcomed the idea of retaining Strathendrick as a local resource and were receptive to the idea that it should align with the Intermediate Care model applied across the rest of the Stirling area. This would mean that Strathendrick would not be used to provide any new long term care but the beds would be used for short stay assessment and short term respite provision.

Discussions had also been held around the opportunities that could exist to work in conjunction with a Local Care Hub model to help deliver in-reach and out-reach health and social care services.

It was stressed that the Council had given a commitment that all current residents would continue to be cared for in Strathendrick for as long as they or their families wished them to remain there.

There had also been discussions about the wider financial challenges faced across the public sector. To begin with, plans would need to be developed in such a way that any changes to services were achieved within the current resources deployed in the area. It was noted however that local communities could access funding not available to local authorities, which could provide added value.

From 1 April 2016 the Integration of Health and Social Care meant that the staff and services delivered through Strathendrick now came under the governance of the Integration Joint Board (IJB). The ownership of Strathendrick and the control and maintenance of the land and buildings would remain with Stirling Council.

Social Services and NHS Forth Valley colleagues would continue to work with local people in South West Rural Stirling to progress the planning of a Local Care Hub model, within and around Strathendrick, while keeping the IJB and Social Care & Health Committee appropriately updated. The report submitted to Council today had already been approved by the IJB.

Members were in general agreement with the officer recommendations. Councillor Ian Muirhead proposed the addition of a further recommendation “that the aforementioned would take place in consultation with Local Members at all stages of the process”. This was agreed without the need for a roll call vote.

Decision

The Council agreed:-

to note the progress made in relation to progressing the consultation and engagement with local groups and organisations in South West Rural Stirling about the future use of Strathendrick Care Home and the potential to develop it as a Local Care Hub;
to note the ongoing service planning work for a Local Care Hub model within Strathendrick for South West Stirlingshire should now be aligned with the Integration Joint Board’s programme of work and the Strategic Plan; and
that the aforementioned would take place in consultation with Local Members at all stages of the process.

(Reference: Report by Head of Social Services, dated 14 April 2016, submitted)

SC471 MOTION IN TERMS OF STANDING ORDER 16

Prior to the Meeting, Elected Members had received supplementary information from Officers on the subject of this Motion. The supplementary information is attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

Balfron High School

Motion

“Council expresses its serious concerns at developments at Balfron High School, and calls on the Chief Executive to commission an independent audit to examine the failure of the PFI project at Balfron High School to deliver a structurally sound building.

The audit will consider the Private Finance Initiative model used to deliver the school, and will consider details of the continuing capital outlay by Stirling Council demanded by the contract and the responsibility for repair costs under the contract. It will also
investigate the granting of building and safety certification to this building. The precise remit and timescale of the audit will be determined by the Chief Executive in consultation with party leaders.”

Moved by Councillor Alycia Hayes, seconded by Councillor Graham Lambie

First Amendment

(To replace the Motion in its entirety)

“Council congratulates the Head Teacher and staff of Balfron High School on successfully overcoming the significant difficulties caused by the structural inspections and repairs being carried out at the school.

Council acknowledges with thanks the tremendous hard work and professionalism displayed by the Director of Children, Young People and Education, his team and school staff as well as the excellent support provided by other departments within Stirling Council and the three High Schools that have accommodated S1 -3 pupils. This has allowed senior pupils to sit their exams with the minimum of disruption. The support shown by parents and the excellent conduct of the pupils should also be acknowledged.

A full report will be brought to the Education Committee in due course as Council would expect but Council regrets that, at a time when all our efforts should be focussed on supporting the school and the pupils, the SNP feel it more important to engage in pointless political grandstanding of the most cynical kind.”

Moved by Councillor Alistair Berrill, seconded by Councillor Margaret Brisley

Second Amendment

(As a proposed addition to the Motion)

“Further establish whether the Council fulfilled its responsibilities in commissioning Balfron High and for ensuring it was properly constructed.”

Moved by Councillor Mark Ruskell, seconded by Councillor Jim Thomson

The proposer and seconder of the Motion agreed that the Second Amendment should be conjoined with the Motion.

During the debate the Council joined together in praising the work of the Director of Children, Young People & Education, the Head Teachers of Balfron High and the three schools that had accommodated S1-3 pupils, and their teams, in ensuring that this matter was dealt with safely and with the minimum of disruption.

It was noted that there would be a report to the Education Committee and a potential national review in due course.

Members suggested that the following issues could be amongst those investigated:-

The absence of wall ties
Adequacy of supervision
Design specifications
Speed of construction
The latent defect insurance period

In the meantime, pupil safety was paramount and all other schools had been inspected and found to be safe. At this point in the proceedings the Council unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders and not take the scheduled comfort break.

On the roll being called the Members present voted as follows:-
For the Amendment (12)

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Johanna Boyd
Councillor Margaret Brisley

Depute Convener Callum Campbell
Councillor Martin Earl

Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor John Hendry
Councillor Corrie McChord
Provost Mike Robbins
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Violet Weir

Against the Amendment (10)

The Amendment was carried by 12 votes to 10 and became the Substantive Motion.
For the Substantive Motion (12)

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Johanna Boyd
Councillor Margaret Brisley

Depute Convener Callum Campbell
Councillor Martin Earl

Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor John Hendry
Councillor Corrie McChord
Provost Mike Robbins
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Violet Weir

Against the Substantive Motion (10)

Decision

The Substantive Motion was carried by 12 votes to 10, and accordingly the Council agreed to congratulate the Head Teacher and staff of Balfron High School on successfully overcoming the significant difficulties caused by the structural inspections and repairs being carried out at the school.

Council acknowledged with thanks the tremendous hard work and professionalism displayed by the Director of Children, Young People and Education, his team and school staff as well as the excellent support provided by other departments within Stirling Council and the three High Schools that had accommodated S1 -3 pupils.
This had allowed senior pupils to sit their exams with the minimum of disruption. The support shown by parents and the excellent conduct of the pupils was also acknowledged.

A full report would be brought to the Education Committee in due course as Council would expect but Council regretted that, at a time when all our efforts should be focussed on supporting the school and the pupils, the SNP felt it more important to engage in pointless political grandstanding of the most cynical kind.

The Convener closed the meeting at 8.35pm

Appendix 1

STIRLING COUNCIL
19 MAY 2016
WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Questions on the following matters have been submitted in terms of Standing Order No 41.
The written answers are attached.

Convener of the Environment & Housing Committee: Forth Park Footbridge Access
Convener of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee: Active Stirling
Convener of the Environment & Housing Committee: Road Repairs
Convener of the Environment & Housing Committee: DRT Services in Trossachs &
Teith

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Question 1

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR MARK RUSKELL FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL
COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016.

Question

Forth Park Footbridge Access

To ask the Administration what steps it will take to ensure that residents at Forth Park have convenient footbridge access to the rest of Bridge of Allan when the level crossing is closed?

Answer

It is anticipated that pedestrian and cycle facilities will be provided by Network Rail on the new road bridge. Network Rail are aware of the concerns raised by residents of Forth Park and will be running further public consultation events during the summer regarding their proposals for Cornton Crossing, after which further details will be provided as part of Stirling Council’s Planning process.

Supplementary Question and Answer

Council Ruskell advised that where other communities had faced a similar problem the local authority had put in a stepped access. He asked whether this possibility had been discussed with Network Rail.

The Convener of the Environment & Housing Committee agreed to meet with Councillor Ruskell to discuss what steps the Council could take, in conjunction with Network Rail, to assist in ensuring appropriate pedestrian access for the residents of Forth Park to the rest of Bridge of Allan following the closure of the level crossing.

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Question 2

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR SCOTT FARMER FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF THE COMMUNITY PLANNING & REGENERATION COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016.

Question
Active Stirling

Could an update be provided with regard to the tendering process affecting Active Stirling.

What direct and indirect costs have been incurred to date to the Council? What are the timescales for the conclusion of the tendering process?

Answer

The Council took a decision in December 2015 to tender for the sport and leisure services provided by Active Stirling so that a long-term arrangement aligned to Stirling’s sport, physical activity and well-being strategy could be put in place.

Officers have been working to implement this decision since this time with appropriate staffing and governance resource in place – a public information notice, along with a prospectus which outlines Stirling’s vision, ambition and aspirations in this area has been issued and a soft market test has begun. An event is being held on 9th June at the Raploch Campus as part of this process.

This process will help inform the future service and contract specification and may also determine the preferred procurement process, as it allows the Council to enter into an informal discussion with potential bidders to test its service assumptions and to learn of current best practice. It is also essential given that the contract award for this work could equate to circa £14 million over a 10 year period and given Stirling’s aspirations for this critical area of work.

To date just over £2,000 of costs has been incurred related to the prospectus and advertising. These costs have been funded from within existing budget.

The contract is expected to be awarded by March 2017. The attached prospectus gives
further details. (http://www.stirling.gov.uk/ documents/leisure-_and_-
culture/sports/stirlingsportpa_prosp.pdf)

Supplementary Question and Answer

Councillor Farmer asked whether the costs included legal and consultants’ advice and officer time. The Convener of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee advised that it was likely that the final costs would be substantially. An update report on
the tendering process for sport and leisure services should be ready for submission to the September 2016 meeting of that Committee.

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Question 3

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR GRAHAM LAMBIE FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL
COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016.

Question
Road Repairs

With respect to council road resurfacing the accepted historical target has been 4% of the road network to be resurfaced per annum.

There is concern that the allocated budget will not meet this target. What is the current percentage of repairs/upgrades anticipated in 2016-17?

Answer

The percentage of repairs / upgrades anticipated for 2016/17, as approved in the programme presented to the Environment & Housing Committee in April 2016, is 2.75%.

Question 4

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR ALYCIA HAYES FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL
COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016.

Question

DRT Services in Trossachs & Teith

On May 11, I received an email from the Public Transport Co-Ordination Team Leader, confirming that “All current DRT services within Trossachs & Teith are being replaced”.

Please can I have the background and timing of this decision and comprehensive details of exactly what it will be replaced with?

Answer

Contracts for the following Supported Bus and DRT Services are due to expire on 31 July 2016:

Bus services:
- Service C8: Balfron - Drymen - Milngavie - Glasgow (Monday to Saturday morning and evening journeys);
- Service C10: Balfron - Strathblane - Milngavie - Glasgow (Monday to Saturday evening journeys);
- Service C11: Stirling - Aberfoyle - Balfron (Monday to Saturday morning, daytime and early evening journeys);
- Service C12: Stirling - Cambusbarron - Balfron (Monday to Saturday evening journeys).
  
  Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services:
- Balquhidder Area
- Fintry Area
- Killin & Strathfillan Area
- Strathard & Trossachs Area
  
  A consultation document was distributed and made available on-line between October and
  December 2015. A total of 592 responses were received. A summary of these responses
  can be seen at http://www.stirling.gov.uk/ documents/transport/public-transport/survey-
  summary-read-only-160106.xlsx
  
  Following consideration of the consultation responses a menu of timetable options was drawn up by the Council’s Public Transport Team and put out to tender. Price increases to
  
  retain existing levels of supported bus services varied from 17.8% to 56.2%. The Public Transport Team then compiled recommendations from the menu of options, with due
  consideration to the available budget. These recommendations were presented to, and agreed by, the Environment & Housing Committee on 14 April 2016.
  
  Please find attached a comprehensive briefing that details all changes that will take effect from Monday 1 August 2016.
  
  Supplementary Question and Answer
  
  It was noted that in view of the volume of information provided in the written response, Councillor Hayes may have supplementary questions which would be raised outwith the
  Council meeting.
  
  CHANGES TO SUPPORTED BUS AND DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT (DRT)
  SERVICES FROM 1 AUGUST 2016
  
  Background
  
  Contracts for the following Supported Bus and DRT Services are due to expire on 31 July 2016:
  
  Bus services:
- Service C8: Balfron - Drymen - Milngavie - Glasgow (Monday to Saturday morning and evening journeys);
- Service C10: Balfron - Strathblane - Milngavie - Glasgow (Monday to Saturday evening journeys);
- Service C11: Stirling - Aberfoyle - Balfron (Monday to Saturday morning, daytime and early evening journeys);
- Service C12: Stirling - Cambusbarron - Balfron (Monday to Saturday evening journeys).
  
  Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services:
- Balquhidder Area
- Fintry Area
- Killin & Strathfillan Area
- Strathard & Trossachs Area
A consultation document was distributed and made available on-line between October and
December 2015. A total of 592 responses were received. A summary of these responses
can be seen at http://www.stirling.gov.uk/ documents/transport/public-transport/survey- summary-read-only-160106.xlsx

Following consideration of the consultation responses a menu of timetable options was drawn up by the Council’s Public Transport Team and put out to tender. Price increases to
retain existing levels of supported bus services varied from 17.8% to 56.2%. The Public Transport Team then compiled recommendations from the menu of options, with due consideration to the available budget. These recommendations were presented to, and
agreed by, the Environment & Housing Committee on 14 April 2016.

The changes that will take effect from Monday 1 August 2016 are as follows (please note that bus timetables and DRT service specifications appear at the end of this document):

Service C8: Balfron – Drymen – Milngavie – Glasgow

This service will be withdrawn and replaced by two DRT services, namely:
- Auchengillan, Blanefield & Carbeth DRT, which will be provided by two operators;
- Croftamie & Drymen DRT, which will be provided by three operators.

Service C10: Balfron - Strathblane - Milngavie – Glasgow

The current service will be retained and will continue to be operated by Midland Bluebird Ltd
(First).

Service C11: Stirling - Aberfoyle – Balfron

This service will be curtailed to operate between Stirling and Aberfoyle, no longer extending south of Aberfoyle. The Aberfoyle – Gartmore – Balfron link will instead be provided by extending the Trossachs DRT area. This will address a number of issues arising from the consultation and from various other requests from community councils and local residents.
The service will also be re-routed via Cambusbarron to avoid competing with commercial bus services on the route section between Blairdrummond and Stirling. The impact of the Service C11 changes can be summarised as follows:

Cost minimisation: the revised Service C11 timetable is designed to be
operated by a single vehicle, enabling costs to be minimised.
Journeys between Aberfoyle and Stirling: the number of journeys will reduce by one each day on Mondays to Saturdays, with the poorly used early evening journey withdrawn.
Better connections at Balfron: extending the Trossachs DRT area to Balfron will remove the current inconvenience of long waiting times for bus connections in Balfron, as customers can book their DRT journey for any time they choose.
Journeys serving Cambusbarron: the re-routeing of Service C11 to include Cambusbarron will replace current journeys on Services C16 and C32 (see below). This will increase the number of journeys serving the village on Mondays to Fridays, but will result in one journey fewer in each direction on Saturdays. It will also satisfy requests for an arrival in Stirling pre-0830 hours.
Journeys serving Torbrex: some Service C11 journey will serve Torbrex but, when this is combined with the withdrawal of Service C32 (see below), the number of journeys serving Torbrex will reduce by roughly one daily in each direction.

The service will continue to be provided by Midland Bluebird Ltd (First).

Service C12: Stirling - Cambusbarron – Balfron

The current service will be retained and will continue to be operated by Midland Bluebird Ltd (First).

Services C16 & C32: Stirling – Cambusbarron

All journeys on Services C16 & C32 will be withdrawn and replaced by the re-routed journeys on Service C11 as described above. Service 32, operated commercially by Midland Bluebird Ltd, will continue to operate.

Balquhidder DRT Service

The hours of operation will be extended to finish at 2200 hours, from the current 2130 hours, to meet bus connections. The service will be provided by three operators.

Fintry DRT Service

This service will continue to operate as at present and will be provided by two operators.

Killin & Strathfillan DRT Service

This service will have additional fixed timetable journeys between Killin and Crianlarich and an improved DRT service within the Killin area. The service will be provided by four operators.

Trossachs & Strathard DRT Service

The hours of operation will be extended to become 0630 to 2200 hours, from the current 0700 to 2130 hours, to meet bus connections. The service will include Gartmore during these hours, which is currently only served from 1900 to 2200 hours. In conjunction with the changes to Service C11 (see above), the area will be extended to include Balfron. The service will be provided by six operators.

Conclusion

The revised pattern and mix of services will enable us to best meet the needs of residents and visitors within the available budget.

We have retained scheduled bus services in areas where passenger numbers are sufficient to sustain them and where costs have not been prohibitive. DRT will replace scheduled bus services in areas where this is not the case, allowing much greater flexibility for communities, as journeys can be booked for times when people need them.

DRT bookings need to be made on the day before travelling at the latest, although bookings can be made up to three months in advance. However, a booking on the day of travel may be possible if a similar journey has already been pre-booked by someone else. The nature of
this type of booking service allows us to provide these flexible services as cost-effectively as possible, thereby making the services much more sustainable.

If you have any comments on the revised services or any other aspect of public transport provision in your area, please contact me.

David W. Brown

Stirling & Clackmannanshire Councils
Public Transport Unit

Bus Station
Goosecroft Road
STIRLING

FK8 1PF

E-mail brownd@stirling.gov.uk
Tel: 01786 237505

Service C11: Balfron - Aberfoyle – Stirling
Revised timetable from 1 August 2016

Mondays to Fridays

Service No.:	C11	C11	C11	C11	C11
Aberfoyle (Tourist Information Centre)	07:29	09:28	12:14	14:34	16:34
Port of Menteith	07:38	09:37	12:23	14:43	16:43
Thornhill (Main St at no. 15)	07:50	09:49	12:35	14:55	16:55
Blairdrummond (at Smiddy House)	07:57	09:56	12:42	15:02	17:02
A811 at Mains Cottage	08:03	10:02	12:48	15:08	17:08
Cambusbarron (Gillieshill)	08:13	10:12	12:58	15:18	17:18
Cambusbarron (North End)	08:17	10:16	13:02	15:22	17:22
Torbrex (Cedar Avenue)	----	----	----	----	17:27
St Ninians (Weaver Row)	----	----	----	----	17:29
Stirling (Snowdon Place)	08:21	10:20	13:06	15:26	----
Stirling (Bus Station)	08:25	10:24	13:10	15:30	17:36
Mondays to Fridays
Service No:	C11	C11	C11	C11	C11
Stirling (Bus Station)	08:29	11:15	13:35	15:35	17:40
Stirling (Snowdon Place)	08:33	11:19	13:39	15:39	----
St Ninians (Weaver Row)	----	----	----	----	17:47
Torbrex (Cedar Avenue)	----	----	----	----	17:49
Cambusbarron (North End)	08:37	11:23	13:43	15:43	17:54
Cambusbarron (Gillieshill)	08:41	11:27	13:47	15:47	17:58
A811 opp. Mains Cottage	08:51	11:37	13:57	15:57	18:08
Blairdrummond (opp The Bungalow)	08:57	11:43	14:03	16:03	18:14
Thornhill	09:04	11:50	14:10	16:10	18:21
Port of Menteith	09:16	12:02	14:22	16:22	18:33
Aberfoyle (Tourist Information Centre)	09:25	12:11	14:31	16:31	18:42
Saturdays
Service No.:	C11	C11	C11	C11	C11
Aberfoyle (Tourist Information Centre)	07:29	09:28	11:39	14:23	16:34
Port of Menteith	07:38	09:37	11:48	14:32	16:43
Thornhill (Main St at no. 15)	07:50	09:49	12:00	14:44	16:55
Blairdrummond (at Smiddy House)	07:57	09:56	12:07	14:51	17:02
A811 at Mains Cottage	08:03	10:02	12:13	14:57	17:08
Cambusbarron (Gillieshill)	08:13	10:12	12:23	15:07	17:18
Cambusbarron (North End)	08:17	10:16	12:27	15:11	17:22
Torbrex (Cedar Avenue)	----	10:21	12:32	15:16	17:27
St Ninians (Weaver Row)	----	10:23	12:34	15:18	17:29

Stirling (Snowdon Place) Stirling (Bus Station)	08:21 08:25	---- 10:30	---- 12:41	---- 15:25	---- 17:36
Saturdays
Service No:	C11	C11	C11	C11	C11
Stirling (Bus Station)	08:29	10:34	13:18	15:29	17:40
Stirling (Snowdon Place)	08:33	----	----	----	----
St Ninians (Weaver Row)	----	10:41	13:25	15:36	17:47
Torbrex (Cedar Avenue)	----	10:43	13:27	15:38	17:49
Cambusbarron (North End)	08:37	10:48	13:32	15:43	17:54
Cambusbarron (Gillieshill)	08:41	10:52	13:36	15:47	17:58
A811 opp. Mains Cottage	08:51	11:02	13:46	15:57	18:08
Blairdrummond (opp The Bungalow)	08:57	11:08	13:52	16:03	18:14
Thornhill	09:04	11:15	13:59	16:10	18:21
Port of Menteith	09:16	11:27	14:11	16:22	18:33
Aberfoyle (Tourist Information Centre)	09:25	11:36	14:20	16:31	18:42

Notes:

this timetable does NOT include other journeys between Cambusbarron and Stirling operated commercially by Midland Bluebird Ltd as Services 32/32A;

this timetable replaces the current journeys between Cambusbarron and Stirling on Services C16 and C32.

Balfron/Aberfoyle – Cambusbarron – Torbrex – Stirling
Summary Timetable from 1 August 2016

Mondays to Fridays

Service No.:

C11

C12

Balfron (Buchanan St Clinic)

----

08:53

----

14:20

----

17:10

19:27