Bright idea to free up staff

Council: ‘How-to’ videos for maintenance made

It’s not exactly a lightbulb moment, but Aberdeen City Council has taken to YouTube to illuminate its tenants – and cut down on maintenance staff being called out for “easy tasks”.

The local authority has started producing instructional videos about basic household jobs, such as how to change a lightbulb.

It is hoped the online videos will prompt council tenants to take on the job themselves and free up maintenance staff for other work.

The council is planning on developing a range of the “how to” videos and has already produced another on how to prevent mould and condensation.

The videos have been filmed by council staff, who confirmed no cost was involved.

But the resource spokesman for the largest opposition group on the council described it as anything but a bright idea.

SNP councillor Alex Nicoll used the move as a means to launch a political attack on the council coleader Douglas Lumsden.

When asked whether the video was a worthwhile use of council time and resources, Mr Nicoll said: “Given his decisionmaking, it could be argued Mr Lumsden is not

“A series of helpful, howto videos for tenants”

necessarily the brightest – but producing a video to help him change a bulb is a bit unfair.”

Mr Lumsden, who also serves as council resources convener, defended the new initiative and said: “The videos are a good way to reduce demand on our services, as we are always looking to do. Our financial situation is welldocumented, so we need to do everything we can.”

A council spokeswoman added: “We are producing a series of helpful, how-to videos for tenants to help them complete easy tasks, ranging from simple household repairs to guidance on how to prevent damp and mould.

“The idea of the videos came from feedback during workshops with tenants and staff and are similar to those also produced online by many private repair companies.”

Town House bosses emphasised that if someone was physically unable to carry out a repair, council staff would still be more than happy to assist.

Lib Dem group leader Ian Yuill added: “If council staff producing a very low cost ‘how to’ video helps educate people and cuts the time spent by other council staff changing tenants’ lightbulbs, it may be time well spent. I wonder though why the council could not have used one of the many ‘how to change a lightbulb’ videos and guides that can be found online.”

Visit aberdeencity. gov.uk/howto for more information.

EDUCATIONAL: The videos include basic maintenance tasks such as changing a lightbulb and preventing mould