SERVICE PLAN - ROADS ...................................................................................... 3
1.
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 3
1.1.
S ERVICE A IMS ............................................................................................. 3
1.2.
Q UALITY M ANAGEMENT A IMS ........................................................................ 3
1.3.
Q UALITY P OLICY .......................................................................................... 3
2.
WHO WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO ........................................................ 4
2.1.
O UR CUSTOMERS ......................................................................................... 4
2.2.
O UR PLEDGES TO CUSTOMERS ...................................................................... 5
2.3.
O UR ENGAGEMENT WITH CUSTOMERS ............................................................ 5
3.
HOW WE ENGAGE WITH OUR STAFF .......................................................... 6
4.
WHAT WE DO AND WHY ................................................................................ 6
4.1.
O UR CORE ACTIVITIES ................................................................................... 7
4.2.
L EGAL REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE ............................................ 7
4.3.
O THER LOCAL PLANS / STRATEGIES ................................................................. 8
5.
HOW WE WILL DELIVER ON SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT
OUTCOMES ............................................................................................................ 9
6.
OUR DELIVERY OF CROSS-CUTTING CORPORATE THEMES ................... 9
6.1.
S USTAINABLE D EVELOPMENT ........................................................................ 9
6.2.
E QUALITIES ............................................................................................... 10
7.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT......................................................................... 11
7.1.
R ESOURCE A NALYSIS ................................................................................. 11
7.2.
W ORKFORCE RESOURCES .......................................................................... 12
7.3.
I NFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCES .................................................................... 13
7.4.
F INANCIAL RESOURCES
– R EVENUE ............................................................. 15
7.5.
F INANCIAL RESOURCES C APITAL ................................................................ 17
7.6.
E FFICIENCY S AVING TO BE DELIVERED IN 2011-12 ........................................ 18
8.
SETTING OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS ...................................................... 19
8.1.
P ERFORMANCE M ANAGEMENT .................................................................... 19
8.2.
P ERFORMANCE I NDICATOR T ABLE ............................................................... 19
9.
ACTION PLAN 2011-12 ................................................................................. 21
10.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT .......................................................... 22
“YOUR VOICE” SURVEY RESULTS FROM 2005 AND 2008 COMPARED ........ 25
General Road Maintenance ............................................................................ 25
Gritting and Snow Clearing Operations ........................................................... 26
Street Lighting ................................................................................................. 26
CONDITION OF ISLAND ROADS – 2004 TO 2011 (RCI) .................................... 27
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1.1. Service Aims
The Roads Service exists to manage, maintain and improve our road network in a safe and cost-effective manner in order to support the economic and social development of Shetland. We do this by providing the services which are outlined in ‘Our Pledges to Customers’ in Section 2.2 of this plan.
The purpose of this Service Plan is to provide a management tool to achieve robust performance management and to secure continuous improvement and delivery of high quality services by:

identifying the correct resources required to deliver a quality service

analysing past performance and planning for future requirements

monitoring current service delivery

providing an Action Plan for service improvements
The Action Plan details the main activities that will be undertaken during the year based on:

an analysis of the service

service reviews

the legislative, local and corporate context within which the service operates

revenue and capital expenditure
The Service Plan will be reviewed periodically and performance indicators and projects will be reported to senior management and elected Members through service performance review sessions. Through the monitoring of targets and the
Action Plan, the Service Plan will assist in providing evidence for continuous improvement and add to the process of demonstrating best value for all areas of service delivery within the Roads Service.
1.2. Quality Management Aims
The aim of the Roads Service is to:

ensure the provision of a quality Roads Service which satisfies the needs of its customers

continually improve the quality of its operations

maintain and enhance Shetland’s road network and environment
1.3. Quality Policy
The Roads Service is committed to the following Policy:

All operations will have appropriate arrangements and resources in place with clear management responsibilities and documented procedures.
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
Regularly monitor and review performance and set clear objectives and targets to ensure continuous improvement in how the service is provided.

Aim to provide a satisfactory service at the first attempt; any incident of underperformance will be investigated to identify its cause and improvements will be implemented to prevent its recurrence in a timely and professional manner.

Enable staff to be individually responsible for achieving a quality service in what they do.

Ensure staff who can influence the quality of the service are aware of their duties and responsibilities and are provided with adequate resources to fulfil them.

Provide training for staff to enable them to fulfil their duties and responsibilities and to support their personal development.

Identify and comply with all appropriate legislation and recognised best practice in roads, and anticipate future developments whenever possible.

Promote and encourage carbon footprint and waste awareness; encourage waste prevention, reuse of materials, recycling and good practice in order to reduce the impact on Shetland’s environment of the Roads Service’s operations.

Actively consult with customers and staff on the quality of the service provided.

Satisfy customers by continuously adapting the Roads Service to meet their current needs and future requirements.
The Policy is reviewed periodically in order to ensure its continuing suitability and to identify improvements in its effectiveness.
2.1. Our customers
Our customers include:

all road users

all residents in Shetland

all visitors to Shetland

commercial and industrial businesses and enterprises
The provision of a comprehensive road and footway network benefits every business, visitor and person in Shetland and contributes to the social and economic well being of the community. It is not just car users and pedestrians that benefit; all transport, emergency and other services (including utilities) require a safe and well maintained road network to operate effectively and serve their customers. We also provide civil engineering advice, design and construction works for other Council departments and public bodies.
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2.2. Our pledges to customers

We will manage and maintain all public roads in Shetland as economically as possible to a standard that is satisfactory.

We will inspect all public roads and footways at the frequency given in the
Roads Maintenance Plan, and when asked to do so by the public.

We will identify those defects that exceed agreed local intervention limits, and carry out repairs, replacements and improvements as necessary.

We will check streetlights every 2 weeks (4 weeks in summer) to see that they are working, and repair any found to be faulty.

We will provide a winter service of gritting or snow clearing daily as required
(except Christmas day and New Year’s day) from 6am to 6pm (reduced service Sundays and public holidays), to minimise the danger to road users of ice or snow.

We will assess proposed improvements to ensure that they are the best solution with regard to environmental impact, safety, economy, integration with the plans of others, and social inclusion.

We will design and supervise the carrying out of these improvements.

We will work closely with ZetTrans to seek the best possible integration of all forms of internal and external transport.

We will provide professional engineering advice to other departments.

We will maintain a materials testing facility accredited to UKAS standards.

We will undertake construction works for other Council departments and services with our in-house workforce, supplemented as necessary by external contractors or sub-contractors.

We will operate the Scord Quarry to manufacture both coated material and dry products for road maintenance. We will sell quarry material to the wider construction industry at competitive prices.

We will endeavour to obtain Best Value for the Shetland Community from the resources allocated to Roads.
2.3. Our engagement with customers
Community Councils were consulted in Winter 2009/10 with regard to the biennial review of the Action Plan for the Maintenance, Improvement and Use of the Road
Network. This provides an opportunity for local input to our programmes of road maintenance and improvement, and allows local prioritisation of some minor works of greatest local concern, as well as our own prioritisation on technical grounds.
Community Councils were also consulted in 2009 for their views on the standard of
Road maintenance service we provide. We consult a wide range of organisations and individuals with respect to proposed traffic orders etc.
Statutory performance indicators have been collected and published annually allowing both changes to be monitored over time and also comparisons to be made with other authorities. We have developed a draft Roads Asset Management Plan
(RAMP) that is now available on the Internet. We are continuing to work with the
Society of Chief Officers of Transport in Scotland (SCOTS) to complete our RAMP
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and to develop a range of indicators to give improved comparisons between roads authorities across Scotland.
We provide information to the public via the press, local radio and the Roads section of the Council Internet site. Weather information (updated hourly) from our roadside weather stations is displayed on the Council web site, with the same information now also available on a web enabled mobile phone.
Councillors, Community Councils and the public often give us information or send us queries. Staff attend Community Council meetings from time to time as necessary, or when requested.
Staff appraisals are now being carried out in line with Council policy. This provides an opportunity at least once a year to discuss performance generally and to identify development and training needs. The development of Job Families under Single
Status has introduced some additional development and training requirements for particular members of staff.
Service Management Meetings are held regularly, giving an opportunity to exchange information and monitor progress. Service Managers then pass on information and get feedback from the staff of their own section. For site-based staff, "toolbox talks" are used to pass on information and get feedback.
A Health and Safety Forum for Roads takes place every three months attended by management, union and non-union representatives. This provides an opportunity for health and welfare issues to be discussed, as well as safety.
The Roads Service is responsible for the maintenance, management and improvement of 1045 km (650 miles) of public roads in Shetland, including all bridges, footways, streetlights and other assets associated with them. As well as routine maintenance of the Road network, we also provide a winter service to treat ice or clear snow as necessary.
We also provide services to others from time to time. Examples include the provision of a winter service to schools, community facilities and the NHS. We also from time to time provide design, undertake construction or test materials for others.
We operate the Scord Quarry providing the only source of bituminous coated material in Shetland.
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4.1. Our core activities
Activities undertaken by the Roads Service include:

To ensure that all roads, footways, streetlights, traffic signals, culverts and bridges are inspected and maintained in accordance with our Roads
Maintenance Plan, and that defects, repairs, and planned maintenance works carried out are recorded.

To provide an early morning road inspection service as necessary during winter (except Christmas day and New Year’s day), and use the result of those inspections to decide if gritting or snow clearing is required. When required, to carry out gritting or snowclearing to minimise the danger and inconvenience to road users of ice or snow on public roads and footpaths.

To provide, in conjunction with the Police, an emergency call-out service in order to respond to any emergency situation affecting a public road anywhere in Shetland at any time.

To manage and operate the Scord Quarry, including the only bituminous coating facility available in Shetland, ensuring that a satisfactory supply of road making material is available locally at an acceptable price.

To work with the Police and others to minimise the number of deaths and injuries on roads in Shetland.

To implement traffic management measures, traffic orders or other measures to assist traffic flow and road safety.

To maintain the register of roadworks (excavations) by utilities and others, coordinating their work as far as possible to minimise disruption.

To provide Professional Engineering advice, Laboratory Services and carry out works for other departments of the Council, and other organisations.

To assess proposed road improvemen ts under the Council’s policy for the management of the Capital Programme, using the principles of the Scottish
Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).

To design and supervise works being done under the Councils capital or revenue programs, and in many cases to carry out the construction of these works.
4.2. Legal requirements to provide the service
The Council as Roads Authority has a statutory duty to manage and maintain all public roads in Shetland, but with some discretion allowed with respect to the standards of maintenance applied, subject always to the policies and priorities of the Council. The main legislation relevant to Roads in Scotland is:

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

The Road Traffic Act 1988

The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005
Other relevant legislation includes:
Page 7 of 27


The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997

The Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997

The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003

The Water Framework Directive

The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003

The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) Regulations 2005

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
4.3. Other local plans/strategies
The Roads Service contributes to the Council's Corporate Plan of having good
Internal Transport within Shetland by continuing to maintain the road network to a high standard and improving it where appropriate.
Shetland’s Regional Transport Strategy was developed by ZetTrans and approved by the Scottish Government in 2008. It provides guidance to us in helping maintain good internal transport in Shetland. The Shetland Local Plan is used to help identify and prioritise the need, scope and scale of future road improvements required to accommodate future development in Shetland.
Our draft Roads Asset Management Plan (RAMP)provides an overview of the
Roads Assets under the stewardship of Shetland Islands Council. This plan has been developed in conjunction with other Scottish Authorities through the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS). It provides a strategic approach that aims to identify the optimal allocation of resources for the management, operation, preservation and enhancement of the roads infrastructure to meet the needs of current and future customers, and to plan for the future renewal or replacement of those assets.
The Action Plan for the Maintenance, Improvement and Use of the Road Network provides a strategy and programme for the maintenance and improvement of the road network. It was sent out for consultation in November 2009 and was approved by the Infrastructure Committee in August 2010.
The Council approved our Roads Maintenance Plan in March 2006. It follows the principles laid out in the national Code of Practice for Maintenance Management
2005. Our Roads Maintenance Plan sets frequencies for safety inspections and intervention limits for defects to be rectified.
The Winter Maintenance Policy identifies the level of service that is provided in order to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable the road network remains safe and usable during periods of frost or snow. It was reviewed in 2010 and will be looked at again as the Council seeks to make budget savings.
The Verge Maintenance and Grass-cutting Policy identifies the level of service that is provided in order to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable the road
Page 8 of 27

network remains safe and convenient for use by both drivers and pedestrians while protecting the environment and biodiversity found along the roadsides.
It is Council policy to apply STAG appraisals or similar to transport projects before prioritising them and seeking to place them in the capital program.
The single outcome agreement doesn't have any directly measurable indicators that we can give values for. However there are a number of indicators that are indirectly relevant, as follows:-

Reduced incidence of accidents resulting in casualties, particularly home fires, road accidents and marine incidents.

Prioritisation of alcohol misuse as key community safety activity, including reducing drink-driving levels and alcohol related crime

Everyone should be able to access the places, services and opportunities that they need to reach.

Decrease road traffic levels

Decrease the use of single occupancy private cars
Two indicators in particular have direct relevance to the service we provide, these are: -
LI 25: Increase percentage of residents who rate the area within 15 minutes walk of their home as fairly safe or very safe
LI 26: Reduce number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and
St 1.1: Percentage of journeys to work made by public or active transport
6.1. Sustainable Development
Most road inspections are now carried out using tablet computers which not only provide a better record, but also minimise the amount of paper usage. An added advantage is that it has allowed us to put in place an arrangement where one of our inspectors living in the North Mainland is able to carry out inspections in the north part of Shetland, wirelessly link into the Council computer network by parking near the Community Work Office at Brae, download the work he has done and return home without having to travel into Lerwick.
Roads is one of a small number of services within the Council where the majority of our staff work locally in the area in which they live. In addition to that, we have put
Page 9 of 27

in place a system where the majority of road workers travel directly from home to the site at which they are working rather than incur unnecessary mileage and time travelling to a central depot at the start and end of a day’s work. Using a shared
Council vehicle to do this reduces mileage and expense to the Council and also reduces private mileage to and from work by the individuals concerned, minimising our carbon footprint in respect of travel to and from work by staff.
In common with all other services across the Council, we are working towards a
5% per annum reduction in fuel usage by Council vehicles.
As part of the Winter Service we purchase weather forecasts for our road network and use these to ensure that pre-salts are only carried out when necessary. We also calibrate and check all of our gritters before the start of each season. Both of these measures ensure that we minimise salt usage to keep down costs and to protect the environment.
An Environmental Audit of our service has been carried out by the Waste
Prevention Unit (Environment), we are working with them to implement the recommendations of their report.
The Scord Quarry is now able to recycle road construction materials. We have just processed around 2000 tonnes of excavated road construction materials, which would previously have been sent to landfill.
We are currently looking at a project to replace our steam heated bitumen storage tanks at the Scord Quarry. The bitumen currently held in those tanks is heated by an oil-fired boiler producing steam. Those tanks have no insulation, the boiler is over twelve years old and the heating system is very inefficient. We are developing a spend to save project to replace these tanks with insulated tanks with integral electrical heating. If we are also able to increase storage capacity, we will be able to benefit from greater discounts for bulk purchase of bitumen. If this project gains approval then there will be a significant reduction in both the quarry’s costs and carbon footprint.
We are also looking at a scheme to replace the current fuelling and fuel tank system (Gas Oil) with a new tank and fuel (Kerosene). This will provide a substantial cost saving to the Council and is a cleaner burning fuel.
6.2. Equalities
Managers and other staff are trained to ensure that they correctly follow the
Council’s recruitment and selection Policy and procedures. That ensures that all applicants for jobs are treated properly and equally, in line with Council policy.
We have agreed flexible working arrangements with staff to help accommodate their childcare arrangements etc. Examples include flexitime and changes in working hours or working partly from home.
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To help members of the public with a disability or with mobility problems, we provide dropped kerbs at new junctions and have a programme of upgrading existing junctions wherever possible. We have provided tactile paving at all Pelican crossings. We have provided disabled parking spaces in most of the larger public car parks, and we regularly provide disabled parking spaces in residential areas in response to individual needs.
7.1. Resource Analysis
The length of the road network is increasing gradually, as the Council adopts roads in new housing developments for example. However use of the road network is increasing more significantly, with traffic volumes increasing at approximately 2.5% per year. The increasing weight of individual vehicles using the road, for example articulated lorries serving fish firms, has a detrimental effect on the structure and edges of the road, particularly narrow single track roads with inadequate foundations. There are no signs that the growth in traffic volumes is likely to reduce in the near future.
Extensive cracking and potholes developed in many of our minor roads following the long and severe frost of winter 2009/10 and similarly 2010/11. It has been necessary to divert money from other road maintenance budgets to seal these cracked roads before further deterioration develops. The extent of the problem is such that we will not be able to address all of the cracked roads during this surface
-dressing season (May to September) so a system of prioritisation has been implemented.
The difficulty encountered in obtaining sufficient salt supplies has highlighted the need for increased salt storage in Shetland. We are investigating the acquisition of a salt store to give more storage and allow salt to be kept longer without it deteriorating. A salt store will also avoid the environmental issues of open storage.
Recent increases in crude oil prices have fed through to significant increases in the cost of bitumen, fuel and electricity. That has led to a significant increase in the cost of bituminous-coated material used for road maintenance. With budget reductions this means that the amount of resurfacing and surface dressing that can be done in any one year is reduced. We strive to minimise the effect of this through efficiency savings and more efficient working, but to keep within existing budgets the lengths of road we will be able to resurface this year is less than was possible in the past.
Above inflation increases in the cost of electricity have an effect on our street lighting budgets, as does the adoption of roads in new housing schemes that add more streetlighting to maintain. We are worki ng to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, and our electricity costs, by ensuring that only energy efficient lighting is installed in new schemes and that older inefficient lights are replaced with more efficient lighting units whenever the opportunity arises.
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The increasing number and age of streetlights is adding extra pressure to our streetlighting maintenance operation. The present work team of one vehicle with two men has difficulty in the winter months in maintaining all the streetlights throughout Shetland, although it would be difficult to justify a second team. That is a resource issue that will have to be considered over the next year.
7.2. Workforce resources
The present staff structure and numbers are as follows:
Amended Structure from 2006
Head of
Roads
Network & Design
Manager
Maintenance
Manager
Materials Laboritory
2 staff
17 Network &
Design Staff
8 Maintenance Staff Quarry Manager
+ 9 Operatives
Description
Head of Service
Service Managers
Network and Design – Senior Engineers/QS
Network and Design – Engineers/Technicians
Network and Design - Inspectors/Clerk of Works
Maintenance - Area Engineers
Staff (FTE)
1
2
5
7 (plus1 apprentice)
4
4
Maintenance - other Engineers/Technicians
Maintenance - Area Foremen
Maintenance - Roads Operatives
Scord Quarry Manager
Scord Quarry - Foremen
Scord Quarry Operatives
Materials Laboratory
3 (plus1 apprentice)
4
70
1
2
7 (plus1 apprentice)
2
Total Roads Staff 112 (plus 3 apprentices)
The present review of Infrastructure Services means that the Roads Service is also being reviewed. In order not to pre-empt the outcome of that review, any new staff appointments are being kept to a minimum, and any that are essential are only being filled on a temporary basis. This means that one of our service managers is on a temporary contract, and the duties of one of our area engineers is being undertaken on a temporary "acting up" basis. Over the last 5 years we have reduced the number of office based staff by 3 and site staff by 8. This is a result of our efforts to improve efficiencies and our need to work within reduced budgets.
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All office staff are based at Gremista. Site staff are based at Gremista, Murrister,
Sellaness, Mid Yell and the Scord Quarry. Staff numbers have been gradually falling over the last few years; the present and expected high workload in the private sector is making it more difficult to recruit and increasing our concerns for future staff retention. Our workforce has been relatively stable for some time which means that the age profile is increasing and beginning to cause concern.
We have an ongoing programme of staff development and training to meet changing service needs. Both Health and Safety, and operator competence are important parts of our training programme. The Council has recently received a four-star rating out of five from the Health and Safety Executive from a survey of all
32 Scottish Local Authorities in relation to the Construction Skills Certification
Scheme. The rating is assessed on the overall participation within each Council, and on their competency checks of external contractors.
We are now an approved Training/Assessment centre for plant operations under
Construction Skills and have two approved trainer/testers and an internal verifier to ensure that the centre adheres to the scheme’s quality assurance requirements.
We are also approved to deliver S/NVQ level 2 awards in plant.
7.3. Infrastructure resources
Our office, main depot and store are at Gremista, and reflecting the fact that staff operates throughout Shetland, we have smaller depots at Sellaness, Murrister,
Dunrossness and Mid Yell. There is also an office with other buildings and plant at the Scord Quarry. The office accommodation at Gremista is adequate inside, although the external cladding is in poor condition and is now being replaced as part of a programme of works by Building Services. The building at Murrister is in poor condition and the replacement building is under construction. We had to vacate a building at Sellaness used as an area office and mess facilities for staff in order to provide accommodation for the Total project. It has recently been replaced by providing these facilities as an extension to our existing workshop/store.
We continue to update records of roads related assets on our computer based
Roads Maintenance Management System (RMMS). We have made good progress on most of this, although determining the age and true condition of some assets is difficult.
We have joined with all other Roads Authorities in Scotland in a SCOTS initiative to develop an Asset Management Framework for roads and road related infrastructure. This will allow a common approach to be taken to the assessment and valuation of roads and associated infrastructure throughout Scotland. The first version of our RAMP has been completed and is now in use.
A breakdown of road length by road classification is listed in the following table:
Page 13 of 27

Road
Category
A Class
B Class
C Class
Unclassified
Total
Length
2 Lane
181
34
27
85
327
Length
Single Track
44
128
172
374
718
Total Length
(kilometres)
225
162
199
459
1045
Built on
Peat*
20%
19%
12%
16%
*Note – definition of “Built on Peat” includes only those roads with a structural depth of less than 650mm carrying more than 20 HGVs per day. These figures are approximate, being taken from an estimate made some years ago.
In common with all local authorities in Scotland, road maintenance expenditure has fallen in real terms and resulted in the deterioration of the condition of roads in
Shetland. We undertake an annual Road Maintenance Condition Survey jointly with all other roads authorities in Scotland. It is a machine-based survey and measures rutting, surface texture, longitudinal profile and cracking. This provides independent and consistent information on road condition over time throughout
Scotland. Every year 100% of the Class A network is surveyed, along with 50% of
Class B roads and 10% of the remaining roads. This provides a Road Condition
Index (RCI) which is used as a Statutory Performance Indicator.
The results of the road condition survey for Shetland, Orkney and the Western
Isles over recent years is shown at Appendix 2. An increase in the RCI indicates deterioration in the condition of the road. The deterioration in RCI by road class of
Shetland’s roads over the last five years is given below. From it you will see that after five years 3.8% or an additional 40.5 km of the road network is no longer considered to be in an "acceptable condition".
Length of road (Km)
Class
A
Class
B
225 162
Class
C
199
Unclassified
459
Total/ overall
1045
RCI - 2009/11
RCI - 2004/06
Deterioration during last 5 years (RCI)
Length deteriorated in last 5 years until it is no longer in an
"acceptable condition" (Km)
24.7% 38.2% 38.8%
18.3% 33.1% 34.5%
6.4%
14.4
5.1%
8.3
4.3%
8.6
50.3%
40.3%
2.0%
9.2
40.7%
36.9%
3.8%
40.5
Our Roads Maintenance Plan developed a hierarchy for road maintenance that addresses some of the anomalies found in the national road classification. The result of that revised classification is as follows; M1 = 225km, M2 = 186km, M3 =
231km, M4 = 404km. Essentially we have identified that for maintenance purposes some of our local roads are more important than the national classification suggests.
We have approximately 7500 traffic signs, over 4000 streetlights, 432 Cattlegrids and 56km of crash barriers to maintain, as well as several thousand bridges and culverts throughout Shetland, 300 of which are larger than 900mm span/ diameter.
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7.4. Financial resources – Revenue
Revenue Estimates 2011/12
Support General Trading
Ledger
£
Ledger Account
£ £
Client Receipts
Overall
Total
£
(74,639) (25,000) (6,658,715) (6,758,354)
Financing 0
Grants
Reimbursements
Rents
(250) (70)
0
(320)
0
Total Income (74,889) (25,000) (6,658,785) (6,758,674)
Employee Costs:
Allowances
Basic Pay
National Insurance
Other
Overtime
Pension Contributions
64,356
928,990
77,792
(39,594)
16,957
206,065
136,460
12,418
396
24,153
162,920
1,617,014
140,109
5,387
227,850
315,683
363,736
2,546,004
230,319
(33,811)
244,807
545,901
Sub-Total Employee
Costs
Operating Costs:
Administration
Agency Payments
Property & Fixed Plant
Supplies & Services
Transport & Mobile Plant
1,254,566 173,427
50,565 56,800
200 4,000
299 4,092,233
25,600 311,200
66,662 272,747
2,468,963
23,320
157,514
2,584,745
2,799,728
3,896,956
130,685
4,200
4,250,046
2,921,545
3,139,137
Sub-Total Operating
Costs
Transfer Payments
Total Expenditure
Net Controllable
Expenditure 2011/12
143,326 4,736,980
1,397,892 4,910,407
1,323,003 4,885,407
5,565,307 10,445,613
0
8,034,270 14,342,569
1,375,485 7,583,895
Net Controllable
Expenditure 2010/11
Net Controllable
Expenditure 2009/10
1,441,369 5,548,702 1,457,408 8,447,479
1,313,343 5,401,461 1,818,031 8,532,835
Page 15 of 27

From the preceding table you will see that "Net Controllable Expenditure" has been reduced by almost a million pounds over the last three years at a time when construction inflation has been higher than general inflation. This means that in order to stay within budgets the amount of maintenance that can be carried out has been significantly reduced.
This can be seen in the table below, for examples it has been necessary to reduce the "Resurfacing" budget by about 30% for 2011/12, in addition to cuts made to this budget in earlier years. The effect of this over the years has become apparent with increasing numbers of potholes now appearing in our roads.
Revenue Budgets (Operating Costs Sub-Codes)
Code Description 2010/11 £k No Growth 2011/12 £k
GRY6501 Grass Cutting - Verges
GRY6511 Drainage Maintenance
44
432
44
292
40
292
GRY6521 Traffic Signs
GRY6531 Road Markings & Cats Eyes
GRY6541 Roads Sweeping
GRY6551 Street Lighting - Maintenance
72
228
61
326
72
225
61
369
52
225
61
369
GRY6552 Christmas Lighting & Trees
GRY6555 Routine Maintenance General
GRY6601 Localised Reconstruction
GRY6605 Patching
GRY6611 Resurfacing
GRY6615 Footpath Maintenance
GRY6625 Surface Dressing
GRY6635 Road Drainage Improvements
GRY6645 Verge Maintenance
GRY6655 Crash Barriers and Railings
GRY6665 Minor Improvements
GRY6675 Streetlighting (Renewals)
GRY6681 Sea Defences
GRY6685 Structures (Retaining Walls)
GRY6691 Structures (Bridges & Culverts)
GRY6692 Cattlegrids
GRY6695 Structural Maintenance General
14
0
300
160
1,164
125
498
236
148
43
42
43
19
19
54
98
15
13
300
325
1,139
125
498
236
149
40
40
43
18
18
54
86
13
23
7
18
54
43
13
13
300
325
802
75
498
166
104
20
0
GRY6701 Road Authority Functions
GRY6711 Surveys & Inspections
GRY6721 Winter Service
GRY6731 NRSWA Functions
GRY6741 Road Safety
GRY6761 Roads Asset Management
Total Revenue Budget
15
49
1,105
6
2
57
5,375
8
56
1,312
3
2
57
5,598
8
56
1,279
3
2
57
4,905
Page 16 of 27

(Operating costs)
7.5. Financial resources - Capital
Capital Programme - Roads Rolling Programmes
Code Programme
GCY 9200 Minor Works and Purchases
GCY 9201 Development Related Roads
GCY 9202 Bridge and Culvert Replacement
GCY 9203 Footways
GCY 9204 Streetlighting Replacements
GCY 9206 Traffic Management
GCY 9207 Accident Investigation and Prevention
GCY 9208 Minor Works Air Services
GCY 9209 Minor Works and Purchases Bus Services
GCY9210 Road Reconstruction
GCY 9211 Roads Drainage Improvements
GCY 9212 Crash Barrier Replacements
Total – Rolling Programmes
Capital Programme - Named Schemes
Code Programme
GCY 6125 B9071 Bixter to Aith Phase 2 (Contract issue & start)
GCY 6130 B9082/3 Gutcher to Cullivoe (Design)
GCY6129 B9071 Parkhall to Sand Junction
GCY 6126 Sletts Road Sea Wall (Works)
GCY 6131 Gulberwick road (Design)
GCY 6298 Advance Design of Schemes (Design)
GCY 6127 Replacement Murrister Depot (Works)
GCY 9213 School Speed Limits (carried forward from last year)
GCY 6401 Scord Quarry Fixed Plant Replacement (Equipment)
B 9071 Effirth
GCY 6132 Gremista Footways
GCY 6205 Laxaburn Bridge
GCY 6207 Strand Loch Brig
Total – Named Schemes
2011/12
£k
£50
£100
£310
£75
£200
£50
£100
£20
£40
£445
£80
£120
£1,590
2011/12 £k
£1000
£30
£11
£5
£10
£110
£135
£82
£223
£20
£272
£10
£10
£1,918
Page 17 of 27

7.6. Efficiency Saving to be delivered in 2011-12
Description of
Efficiency Measure(s)
Procurement
Asset Management
Street Lighting
Shared Services
Absence Management
Reducing Bureaucracy
Vehicles
Other
Amount to be saved (£)
Significant, but not quantified.
Significant, but not quantified.
5% of fuel used
Impact on service delivery and performance / other information
The majority of materials used by
Roads come through the stores at
Gremista who have experienced staff to ensure that procurement is done efficiently. The Council decision to join Scotland Excel gives another opportunity for efficient procurement. A significant amount of maintenance and improvement work is subject to competitive tender. Works done by ourselves is subject to an annual review.
We undertake regular inspections of the road network and associated assets to allow us to effectively plan road maintenance in line with our agreed road hierarchy.
When old streetlights are replaced, more energy efficient lamps are used whenever possible.
Through the Society of Chief
Officers of Transport in Scotland, we have joined with all other
Scottish authorities to develop and share the costs of an Asset
Management Plan for roads.
Return to work interviews are carried out in line with council policy to minimise absences.
We now have the majority of inspection processes computerised to minimise paperwork.
Council policy to reduce fuel use by
5% with minimum effect on service.
Regular staff training is undertaken to ensure that work is done as efficiently as possible.
Page 18 of 27

8.1. Performance Management
Managers Performance Indicators
Employee sickness absence rate
Employee review and development sessions carried out
Percentage of Key Service Performance
Indicators met or exceeded target
Health and Safety - days lost due to injury/accidents at work
Reduction in diesel usage
Reduction in Gas Oil usage - Scord
Reduction in Gas Oil usage - others
Reduction in electricity usage - Scord
Reduction in electricity usage - others
Reduction in energy use
Customer complaints (formal)
Actual
2008-09
4.28%
Actual
2009-10
4.95%
3.4% 17.5%
29.5%
(39%)
6.3%
0
15.5%
(32%)
0
8.2. Performance Indicator Table
Service Performance Indicator
Carriageway condition - Road network that should be considered for maintenance; Overall
Carriageway condition - A Class Roads
Carriageway condition - B Class Roads
Carriageway condition - C Class Roads
Carriageway condition - Unclassified
Roads
Carriageway treatment - Percentage resurfaced
(Statutory)
Carriageway treatment - Percentage surface dressed (Statutory)
Traffic light failures (Pelicans) - Repair completed within 48 hours (Statutory)
Street light failures - Repair completed within 7 days (Statutory)
Street lighting
– Columns over 30 years old
Bridge Condition - Percentage failing assessment (Statutory)
Emergency jobs rectified or made safe within
24 hours - Percentage compliance
Actual
2008-09
38.5%
16.3%
29.9%
32.4%
55.1%
Actual
2009-10
39.3%
21.8%
33.9%
35.9%
51.2%
1.8%
4.1%
6.9%
88.1%
1.2%
13.1%
71%
2.1%
6.1%
26%
91%
3.8%
20%
71%
Target
2011-12
4%
100%
60%
Vision
Zero
5%
1%
0
Target
2011-12
39.3%
21.8%
33.9%
35.9%
51.2%
1.3%
6%
50%
80%
1%
6%
95%
Page 19 of 27

Service Performance Indicator
Actual
2008-09
Actual
2009-10
Target
2011-12
Winter Service - Presalts done in afternoon
Winter Service - Morning or daytime treatments of ice or snow
27
50
46
94
23 (As below)
46
(Ave. over last 5 years)
Workforce completed H&S construction skills test - site staff
100% 100%
Workforce completed H&S construction skills test
– office based staff
94% 100%
The performance of Roads is monitored in line w ith the Council’s Performance
Management Framework by service performance review sessions with elected members and senior management. In addition to monitoring performance and informing members and senior management of progress within the service, these review sessions also provide useful feedback to service managers.
Well over 90% of the workforce has a valid CPCS/CSCS competency card demonstrating a good understanding of health and safety on site and if appropriate their ability to operate construction plant safely.
We take part in a benchmarking exercise using APSE’s (Association of Public
Service Excellence) Performance Network scheme, which compares our performance against similar UK authorities over a range of indicators.
Indicator SIC result Group Average
93.75% 93.17% Damaged roads/pavings made safe within target time
Percentage of staff absences (front-line) 5.19% 5.82%
66.96
7.62
Community consultation and quality assurance 119
Number of accidents reported to HSE per 100 1.16 employees
Staff absence – all employees excluding long 1.81% term sickness
Annual cost of salting per kilometre of treated network
£1,186
2.14%
£2,118
Page 20 of 27

Description of Action Officer Involved Expected Outcome
Carry out a review of the Winter Service to seek further savings.
Review Streetlighting Maintenance
Arrangements
Complete further STAG studies
Prioritise Footway Schemes
Head of Service
Network & Design
Manager
Network Engineer
Network & Design
Manager
Consult stakeholders, review service and consider options for change.
Review streetlighting maintenance policy to allow existing staff to cope with increasing number of lights
Complete a further 2 STAG studies to
Stage 2 for road improvements
Collect data required for 10 footway schemes to further develop a prioritisation scheme
Decision by Scottish Government Get all permissions in place for the A971
Haggersta road improvement
20mph speed limits at schools
Review single track road network
Review bitumen storage
Review budgets and seek further efficiencies and savings
Maximise efficiency of staff resources
Network & Design
Manager
Network & Design
Manager
Network & Design
Manager
Maintenance
Manager
All B RO’s
Complete 20mph speed limit programme at schools
Develop prioritised list of single track roads for improvement
Present a spend to save proposal to the
Council for the Scord Quarry
Introduce further efficiencies, as budgets are reduced
Provide design and construction services to others
Carry out a Traffic Study of Lerwick
Review NR&SW procedures
Improve B9071 Bixter to Aith road
Network & Design and Maintenance
Managers
Traffic Engineer
Network Engineer
Network & Design and Maintenance
Managers
Traffic Study of Lerwick
Review of NR&SW procedures following comments from the Road Works
Commissioner
Construct B9071 Bixter to Aith phase 2 road improvement
*EIA = Equalities Impact Assessment; SEA = Strategic Environmental Assessment
Completion
Date
Assessments
EIA* SEA*
July 2012 N/A N/A
November 2011 N/A N/A
February 2012 N/A N/A
February 2012 N/A N/A
March 2012
March 2012
October 2011
October 2011
October 2011
July 2012
August 2011
July 2012
N/A Yes
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
Page 21 of 27

Examination of Available Data
Data collection could include: consultations; surveys; Your Voice; Ethnic Minority
Profile; in-depth interviews; pilot projects; reviews of complaints made; user feedback; academic publications; consultants’ reports etc
9.a. What do we know from existing data and research?
From the “Your Voice” surveys done in 2005 and repeated in 2008, we have found that a majority of the public questioned found the service provided by
Roads satisfactory or better. See Appendix 1.
Within the “Your Voice” results, footpath maintenance had a lower satisfaction rating than most other operations. That may impact on groups like the elderly, disabled or young people who often have less access to motor vehicles.
National research has found that elderly drivers benefit from clear road markings, good levels of street lighting, etc.
9.b. What gaps in knowledge are apparent?
We don’t know if groups like the elderly are more disadvantaged than others by footpath maintenance or other of our operations.
9.c. If there are any potential difficulties in getting the data to fill these gaps, please describe these.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Step 3
10. Use the table to indicate:
(a) Where you think that the service / strategy / project / policy could have a negative impact on any of the equality target groups i.e. it could disadvantage them/unlawful racial discrimination.
(b) Where you think that the service / strategy / project / policy could have a positive impact on any of the groups or contribute to promoting equality, equal opportunities or improving/promote good relations within equality target groups.
Page 22 of 27

Gender
Women
Men
Race
Asian or Asian
British people
Black or Black
British people
Chinese people
People of mixed race
White people
People who’s first language is not English
Disabled people
Learning
Disabilities
Physical
Disabilities
Sensory
Impairment
Elderly/ Infirm
Mental Health
Lesbian, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgender
Age
Older people
(60+)
Younger people
(17-25), and children
Children
Positive impact – it could benefit
Negative impact – it could disadvantage
Reason
Yes May not understand some road signs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes May not understand some road signs
Improvements, for example provision of drop kerbs, could reduce barriers to travel
Ditto
Ditto
20mph speed limits at schools should improve safety of children
Faith groups
Equal opportunities and/or improved relations
Yes Ditto
Ditto
Page 23 of 27

11. If you have indicated there is a negative impact on any group, is that impact:
Legal?
(i.e. it is not discriminatory under anti-discriminatory legislation)
YES
Intended?
NO
Level of impact
LOW
12. a) Could you minimise or remove any negative impact that is of low significance? Explain how:
............................................................................................................................
Our policy is to use nationally (and internationally) recognised road signs, many of which are pictorial, so minimising dependence on language for understanding.
..............................................................................…..........................................
……………………………………………………….………………………………… b) Could you improve the strategy, project or policy’s positive impact?
Explain how:
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
13. If there is no evidence that the strategy, policy or project promotes equality, equal opportunities or improved relations – could it be adapted so that it does?
How?
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
14. Do you have any further comments to make:
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Please sign and date this form, keep one copy and send one copy to the
Policy Unit.
Signed ................................................................
Date ....................................................................
Page 24 of 27

Appendix 1
A number of questions related to roads were included in the Autumn 2005 “Your
Voice” public opinion panel, with exactly the same questions repeated in Autumn
2008. By repeating exactly the same questions, it is possible to monitor changes in satisfaction levels.
The responses were as follows to the question
“How would you rate the Council’s
Road Maintenance operation in each of the following areas of activity”
Operation
Repair of potholes and road surface defects
General standard of road surface
Road Markings
Roadside drainage, ditches and gullies
Survey date
Very
Poor
Poor Satisfactory
Good Excellent
2008 4% 15% 41% 29% 9%
2005
2008
8%
3%
22%
10%
47%
36%
16%
40%
2008 5% 11% 46% 32%
2005 7% 13% 45% 29%
7%
10%
2005 2% 13% 42% 29% 15%
2008 0% 5% 37% 47% 10%
2005 3% 10% 44% 32% 10%
5%
6%
Satisfactory or better
79%
70%
86%
86%
94%
86%
83%
80%
Road signs
2008 1% 6% 36% 45% 11%
2005 1% 7% 49% 33% 9%
2008 5% 18% 41% 32% 3%
92%
91%
76% General standard of footway maintenance
Frequency of cutting of grass verges
Extent of verges cut throughout the summer
2005
2008
2005
2008
2005
6%
6%
7%
6%
15%
13%
22%
15%
11% 19%
49%
43%
42%
42%
44%
23%
32%
23%
31%
21%
6%
6%
5%
6%
6%
78%
81%
70%
79%
71%
Note:- All sample surveys are subject to a degree of random error. It has become customary to provide an indication of the error margin by calculating the 95% confidence intervals for a simple random sample of the same size Of the 600 questionnaires sent out in autumn 2008, approximately 51% were returned. This means that statistically, for this size of the sample (308 questionnaires returned), the margin of error is +/-7%.
Therefore, although the majority of 2008 results show an improvement compared to those from 2005, none of those improvements are statistically significant at the 95% level. This is the same for all 3 tables in this Appendix.
Page 25 of 27

Appendix 1
The responses were as follows to the question “How would you rate the Council’s
Gritting/Snow Clearing operation in each of the following areas of activity”
Operation
Rural main roads
Rural minor roads
Survey date
Very
Poor
Poor Satisfactory
Good Excellent
2008 1% 5% 33% 45% 15%
2005 4% 8% 40% 36% 13%
2008 7% 22% 43% 22% 6%
Satisfactory or better
93%
89%
71%
Main Roads in
Lerwick
Minor Roads in
Lerwick
Residential areas/housing scheme roads
Main footways in
Lerwick
2005 12% 22% 39% 21% 6%
2008 1% 2% 22% 49% 26%
2005 1% 4% 32% 40% 23%
2008
2005
2005
2008
2005
1%
2%
4%
2%
5%
10%
13%
29%
7%
14%
40%
38%
45%
44%
39%
38%
33%
2008 5% 19% 49% 19%
24%
34%
30%
11%
13%
9%
6%
12%
12%
66%
97%
95%
89%
84%
77%
75%
90%
81%
Footways in residential areas
Provision of grit bins
2008 5% 19% 52% 16%
2005 13% 16% 44% 20%
2008
2005
2%
5%
18%
18%
45%
44%
29%
27%
7%
8%
6%
7%
75%
72%
80%
78%
The responses were as follows to the question “How would you rate the Council’s
Streetlighting provision and maintenance”
Operation
Survey date
Very
Poor
Poor Satisfactory
Good Excellent
2008 2% 11% 38% 39% 9%
Satisfactory or better
86% Speed of repairs of street lights
Level of lighting provided
Extent of street lighting provided
2005
2008
2005
2008 3% 3% 35% 42% 17%
2005
2%
1%
2%
2%
5%
3%
4%
5%
53%
39%
47%
47%
30%
46%
37%
37%
10%
12%
11%
9%
93%
97%
95%
94%
93%
Page 26 of 27

Appendix 2
RCI - Percentage of roads that need or should be considered for treatment
Year Shetland Orkney
Western
Isles
Scotland
A Class Roads
2004/06
20005/07
20006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
18.3
21.0
19.9
16.3
21.8
24.7
20.3
18.1
26.0
27.1
19.0
26.3
24.4
23.5
41.8
41.8
43.6
42.6
45.8
48.8
44.1
27.4
28.6
29.2
28.5
29.6
30.3
28.9
B Class Roads
2004/06
2005/07
2006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
33.1
34.5
33.1
31.5
33.9
38.2
34.1
16.7
17.8
20.9
18.3
27.5
29.3
21.8
39.5
37.9
37.9
39.1
41.8
45.2
40.2
32.2
33.4
34.2
33.6
34.9
35.8
34.0
C Class Roads
2004/06
2005/07
2006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
34.5
35.8
35.7
32.4
35.9
38.8
35.5
15.8
24.0
19.9
9.8
15.7
17.4
17.1
43.3
46.3
46.5
44.6
47.5
51.6
46.6
31.0
31.9
33.0
32.7
33.2
34.3
32.7
All Classified Roads
2004/06
2005/07
2006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
27.9
29.7
28.9
26.0
29.9
33.2
29.3
16.8
22.2
22.5
15.9
23.6
24.2
20.9
41.6
41.9
42.8
42.2
45.1
48.6
43.7
30.4
31.5
32.4
31.8
32.7
33.6
32.1
Unclassified Roads
2004/06
2005/07
2006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
48.3
48.1
54.6
54.1
51.2
50.3
51.1
24.6
27.9
26.8
23.6
31.7
24.2
26.5
56.7
56.4
53.4
50.5
49.2
46.5
52.1
41.3
42.8
42.5
36.6
39.4
58.0
43.4
Overall Network
2004/06
2005/07
2006/08
2007/09
2008/10
2009/11
Average
36.9
37.6
40.2
38.3
39.3
40.7
38.8
20.4
24.8
24.5
19.5
27.3
24.2
23.5
48.0
48.0
47.3
45.7
46.9
50.6
47.8
35.9
37.2
37.4
34.2
36.0
37.9
36.4
Page 27 of 27