A number of services, including grass cutting and golf course maintenance, are to be re-introduced by the council.
Social distancing measures will be in place to transport staff to and from the sites, which means the work will operate at a reduced capacity.
The following range of services will be reintroduced on a phased basis starting this week:
■ Golf course maintenance
■ Bowling green maintenance
■ Road verge maintenance
■ Mechanical sweeping
■ Weed control
■ Play area inspections
■ Grass cutting at cemeteries
■ Grass cutting, which will use tractors and ride-ons (maintenance of medium to large open space areas in parks, including country parks and amenity open space, particularly where areas are used for social recreation and/or exercise)
■ Hedge cutting
■ Maintenance of all associated equipment/plant
Golf courses, bowling greens and play areas will all remain closed to the public as per the current guidance from the Scottish Government.
The plans have been discussed with trade unions and they are supportive in principle, subject to ensuring that safe systems of work are designed and implemented.
Head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds Services, Alistair McKinnon, said: “Although the national guidelines on essential services has not changed, given the period of time that maintenance has not been undertaken since the lockdown, this has required us to reassess the position.
“While not operating at full capacity, re-introducing these services will assist in improving the aesthetic value and appearance of the area, address any safety issues in terms of road verges, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities in terms of recreational activities.
“We believe the work can be undertaken while meeting the current social distancing requirements and it is considered that these can be adapted if the guidance is amended in the future.
“I would like to pay tribute to the support and constructive contribution by Trade Unions to help us take these proposals forward.
“And I would also like to thank our staff for their continued commitment and professionalism and dedication to their job.”
Services which have been provided during lockdown will continue to be delivered, including burials, cremations, litter picking, uplift of fly-tipped material and litter bin servicing.
