Unpaid work pays, says council report

Teams completing sentences earn high praise

Residents, church leaders, school staff and councillors have all praised those who completed community payback orders in 2016/17.

In an upbeat report to be considered by a council committee next week criminal justice workers say those sentenced by sheriffs to do unpaid work completed 436 jobs suggested by community groups that year which benefited everyone in their areas.

Teams were tasked to water half of all the hanging baskets in Perth and Scone and distribute Christmas trees to businesses during the festive season according to the report as well as repair and repaint street furniture right across the region, clear ditches alongside football pitches and clean tennis courts.

Amongst quotes included in the document from groups representing communities who benefited from the estimated 48,710 hours of work put in by teams in 2016/17 a community councillor from Kettins is quoted as saying one team did a “stellar” job removing a huge hedge understood to have been bothering villagers.

“Both tenants concerned have passed on their thanks and said how hard the men worked,” the community councillor is quoted as saying. “Please pass on my thanks to all concerned for a job very well done.”

Elsewhere in the report a Balbeggie Primary School worker is quoted as saying: “Please convey our thanks to the team/s that came out to Balbeggie Primary School.

They have done a fantastic job painting our equipment and sheds.”

A member of Kinross Parish Church is also quoted in the report as saying: “Could you convey my [thanks] and the thanks of the Congregational Board to [the] team for the sterling work done in the church garden, much appreciated. The painter did an excellent job on the cross - it is looking really good.”

And one Perthshire resident understood to be a friend of a disabled woman is quoted as saying: “During the weekend, despite heavy showers of rain, the team ... constructed a slab patio to the rear of [the woman’s] council house and laid about a ton of gravel to her drive and lawn perimeter ... this is a job that has been needing done for 20 years and now provides her with safe access to her garden.

“The excellent work of the team is making a huge difference not only to her quality of life but to the overall appearance of her whole garden. Well done to everyone involved.”

A covering document recommending councillors agree to have a similar report brought before them next year concludes: “The Community Payback annual report 2016/17 illustrates the positive work being undertaken in criminal justice social work by both the unpaid work team and public protection team.

“It describes the specific tasks and visible nature of the reparation work which takes place in the communities of Perth and Kinross and is supported by positive comments from both the recipients of the service and the clients.”

The council’s housing and communities committee will be invited to comment on the report this coming Wednesday.