Latest news with #EastDunbartonshireCouncil
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
East Dunbartonshire council questioned over use of AI in school policy
Critics have hit out at the design of surveys that formed part of the process, as well as the council's use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyse responses, with the local authority now facing formal complaints about the matter. As part of work to develop a new policy around smartphones in schools, officials at East Dunbartonshire Council opened online surveys for teachers, parents, secondary school students and upper-primary school pupils. READ MORE: River City did not pass value for money test, BBC Scotland boss tells MSPs Each survey, which did not collect names but did record information on the schools that young people attend, ran for around two weeks, with the council receiving a total of more than 11,000 responses across the four different groups. In order to process the survey data 'efficiently and consistently', council officers made use of several AI tools to process the contents of open text boxes in which respondents were invited to add 'any additional information' that they wished to be considered as part of the review. This material, including that produced by young children, was input to ChatGPT, Gemini AI and Microsoft Copilot, which were used to 'assist in reviewing and summarising the anonymous comments.' Officials say that this generated a 'breakdown of key messages' that were then provided to the project working group, but when asked to share the summary of survey responses claimed that this 'is not available as yet.' Asked to explain how the output of AI platforms was checked for accuracy, the council stated that cross-validation, human oversight, triangulation and bias-monitoring processes were all applied, with reviews by officials ensuring 'fidelity' to the more than 11,000 responses that were received. Officials stated that these 'safeguards' would ensure that 'the final summaries accurately reflect the breadth and nuance of stakeholder views gathered during the consultation.' However, those taking part in the survey were not informed that their information would be processed using AI platforms. The Information Commissioner's Office, which regulates areas such as data protection across the whole of the UK, told The Herald that they would expect organisations including local authorities to be "transparent' about how data is being processed, including advising of the purpose of AI tools that are to be used and explaining what the council intends to do with the outputs that are generated. The council has told The Herald that the surveys closed on 13 or 14 May, that work on a new policy began on 19 May, and that a full draft policy had been produced and submitted to the legal department by 27 May – the same day on which the council had been approached about the issue. However, material seen by The Herald shows officials advising parents that the policy had been written and submitted to the legal department by 20 May, just one day after the council claims to have begun drafting the document. An explanation has been requested from the council. READ MORE: 10 Glasgow areas set to have fireworks ban A comparison of the surveys issued to each group also confirms that a key question about was not included in the parents version of the survey, although it was present in the versions that were issued to teachers and pupils. Parents were asked the extent to which they support either a ban on phone use during lessons, or a ban on use during lessons unless their use is approved by a teacher. However, the other versions of the survey also asked explicitly whether respondents support a ban on the use of phones during the whole school day. The omission has provoked an angry response from some parents. As a result of these and other concerns, formal complaints have now been submitted to East Dunbartonshire Council alleging that the 'flawed survey information and structure' is not fit for purpose, and that the views of parents have not been fully explored or fairly represented. Commenting on behalf of the local Smartphone Free Childhood campaign group, one parent raised significant concerns about the council's approach: 'The fact that parents were the only group not asked about a full ban shocked us. But we were assured that the free text answers we gave would be properly looked at and considered. 'As a result, many parents left long, detailed and personal stories in response to this survey question. 'They shared heart-breaking stories of kids losing sleep at night after seeing things they shouldn't have. Other stories included girls and teachers being filmed without their consent - and kids being afraid to report the extent of what they're seeing in school because of peer pressure. 'There were long, careful responses outlining their concerns - where has this all gone? 'We have been told that an AI tool was used to summarise all this into five 'top-line' policy considerations. We're not sure if the rest was looked at? 'Not only is it not good enough - it's a betrayal of parents who have trusted the council to listen to their concerns. 'It's also not clear how they've shared and processed these highly personal responses from parents, children and teachers - some containing identifiable details, to an unknown 'AI platform' without our consent. We don't know who can access the data.' The Herald contacted East Dunbartonshire Council asking whether the information in the open text boxes was checked for personal or identifying details before being submitted to AI systems. Officials were also asked to provide a copy of the council's current policy on AI use. The response received from the council did not engage with these queries. We also asked why the council had given two different dates in response to questions about when its new draft policy was completed, and whether the council has provided false information as a consequence. READ MORE: 'Fun police': Decision made on the selling of ice cream in Glasgow parks A spokesperson insisted that "the draft policy was formally submitted to Legal on 27 May for consideration" and asked to be provided with evidence suggesting otherwise so that they could investigate. Finally, the council was asked to explain why the surveys for pupils and teachers included an explicit question about full bans on smartphones during the school day. Their spokesperson said: "The pupil survey included a specific question on full day bans to gather targeted data from young people. The working group which consisted of Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers, Quality Improvement Officers and an EIS representative, felt that the young people may be less likely to leave an additional comment in the open text box and so wanted to explicitly ask this question. Parents were intentionally given an open text box to avoid steering responses and to allow respondents to freely express their views. The open text box was used by parents to express their view on a full day ban which many did."
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Parents slam council over new phone policy for schools
As part of work to develop a new policy around smartphones in schools, officials at East Dunbartonshire Council opened online surveys for teachers, parents, secondary school students and upper-primary school pupils. Each survey, which did not collect names but did record information on the schools that young people attend, ran for around two weeks, with the council receiving a total of more than 11,000 responses across the four different groups. In order to process the survey data 'efficiently and consistently', council officers made use of several AI tools to process the contents of open text boxes in which respondents were invited to add 'any additional information' that they wished to be considered as part of the review. This material, including that produced by young children, was input to ChatGPT, Gemini AI and Microsoft Copilot, which were used to 'assist in reviewing and summarising the anonymous comments.' Officials say that this generated a 'breakdown of key messages' that were then provided to the project working group, but when asked to share the summary of survey responses claimed that this 'is not available as yet.' Asked to explain how the output of AI platforms was checked for accuracy, the council stated that cross-validation, human oversight, triangulation and bias-monitoring processes were all applied, with reviews by officials ensuring 'fidelity' to the more than 11,000 responses that were received. Officials stated that these 'safeguards' would ensure that 'the final summaries accurately reflect the breadth and nuance of stakeholder views gathered during the consultation.' However, those taking part in the survey were not informed that their information would be processed using AI platforms. The Information Commissioner's Office, which regulates areas such as data protection across the whole of the UK, told The Herald that they would expect organisations including local authorities to be "transparent' about how data is being processed, including advising of the purpose of AI tools that are to be used and explaining what the council intends to do with the outputs that are generated. The council has told The Herald that the surveys closed on 13 or 14 May, that work on a new policy began on 19 May, and that a full draft policy had been produced and submitted to the legal department by 27 May – the same day on which the council had been approached about the issue. However, material seen by The Herald shows officials advising parents that the policy had been written and submitted to the legal department by 20 May, just one day after the council claims to have begun drafting the document. An explanation has been requested from the council. READ MORE A comparison of the surveys issued to each group also confirms that a key question about was not included in the parents version of the survey, although it was present in the versions that were issued to teachers and pupils. Parents were asked the extent to which they support either a ban on phone use during lessons, or a ban on use during lessons unless their use is approved by a teacher. However, the other versions of the survey also asked explicitly whether respondents support a ban on the use of phones during the whole school day. The omission has provoked an angry response from some parents. As a result of these and other concerns, formal complaints have now been submitted to East Dunbartonshire Council alleging that the 'flawed survey information and structure' is not fit for purpose, and that the views of parents have not been fully explored or fairly represented. Commenting on behalf of the local Smartphone Free Childhood campaign group, one parent raised significant concerns about the council's approach: 'The fact that parents were the only group not asked about a full ban shocked us. But we were assured that the free text answers we gave would be properly looked at and considered. 'As a result, many parents left long, detailed and personal stories in response to this survey question. 'They shared heart-breaking stories of kids losing sleep at night after seeing things they shouldn't have. Other stories included girls and teachers being filmed without their consent - and kids being afraid to report the extent of what they're seeing in school because of peer pressure. 'There were long, careful responses outlining their concerns - where has this all gone? 'We have been told that an AI tool was used to summarise all this into five 'top-line' policy considerations. We're not sure if the rest was looked at? 'Not only is it not good enough - it's a betrayal of parents who have trusted the council to listen to their concerns. 'It's also not clear how they've shared and processed these highly personal responses from parents, children and teachers - some containing identifiable details, to an unknown 'AI platform' without our consent. We don't know who can access the data.' The Herald contacted East Dunbartonshire Council asking whether the information in the open text boxes was checked for personal or identifying details before being submitted to AI systems. Officials were also asked to provide a copy of the council's current policy on AI use. The response received from the council did not engage with these queries. We also asked why the council had given two different dates in response to questions about when its new draft policy was completed, and whether the council has provided false information as a consequence. A spokesperson insisted that "the draft policy was formally submitted to Legal on 27 May for consideration" and asked to be provided with evidence suggesting otherwise so that they could investigate. Finally, the council was asked to explain why the surveys for pupils and teachers included an explicit question about full bans on smartphones during the school day. Their spokesperson said: "The pupil survey included a specific question on full day bans to gather targeted data from young people. The working group which consisted of Head Teachers, Depute Head Teachers, Quality Improvement Officers and an EIS representative, felt that the young people may be less likely to leave an additional comment in the open text box and so wanted to explicitly ask this question. Parents were intentionally given an open text box to avoid steering responses and to allow respondents to freely express their views. The open text box was used by parents to express their view on a full day ban which many did."
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Have your say on future of Lenzie Academy school
The meeting about Lenzie Academy, scheduled on June 12 between 4pm and 8pm, will be open to the public and held at the school. East Dunbartonshire Council said in a Facebook post: "It will be held in the school and all are welcome. "Check out the project page on our website for more details about what to expect and how to have your say." On its website, the council described Lenzie Academy as "East Dunbartonshire's only legacy secondary school" and a "strategic priority for renewal" in its Capital Investment Plan. As the project to rebuild the school is a major planning application, the council said a total of three consultations will be held, with the third and final event on June 12 for the general public.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Another chance to view plans for new Bishopbriggs cemetery
The council said a new cemetery is needed as the existing Cadder Cemetery nears the end of its operational life. An initial engagement session was held in April to outline the proposals. East Dunbartonshire Council has now arranged another drop-in event to share the feedback and offer more information. This will take place on Thursday, May 29, between 3pm and 7.30pm at Bishopbriggs Library and Community Hub. The council said in a Facebook post: "If you can't make the drop in there's still a chance to view the initial proposals, find out more and give your feedback by visiting the consultation page and survey via the link in the comments before the end of Thursday 5 June."
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
iGLO tanning salon applies to renew entertainment licence
iGLO, located at 50 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch, has requested the renewal under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The application was submitted by Oscar Collins Limited, with Jamie Collins identified as the day-to-day manager. To view the full public notice, go to The salon provides tanning services, operating from 10am to 10pm, Monday to Friday; 10am to 7pm on Saturdays; and 12pm to 7pm on Sundays. The application notice was issued by East Dunbartonshire Council's legal and regulatory services. Residents have a 28-day window from the publication date of the notice to submit any objections or representations regarding the application. These should be directed to the chief solicitor and monitoring officer within the legal and regulatory services at East Dunbartonshire Council, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch. Alternatively, submissions can be emailed to
