East Ayrshire Council approve use of robot cleaners in schools
Two campuses will trial them out
Last updated 13th Sep 2024
Two East Ayrshire schools are set to get robot cleaners after the council gave the green light to try them out at a cost of ÂŁ86,000.
Cumnock’s Barony Campus and Kilmarnock’s William McIlvanney will trial out the new machines as agreed at an East Ayrshire Council meeting on Wednesday.
The introduction of two robot cleaners for the schools was one of five bids to the local authority's innovation fund.
The fund was set up to allow services to look at ways to reduce costs and carry out preventative and early intervention work.
Other ideas such as a cashless catering system in the council’s facilities and property management service and the expansion of a digital reading support programme in schools were also approved.
The report to cabinet claims the new mechanical maintenance duo will not replace any human staff.
It reads: “Facilities and Property Management is seeking to invest in two robotic cleaners, which would be trialled at Barony Campus and William McIlvanney Campus.
“A significant amount of staff time is currently spent cleaning large, mainly empty floor spaces, such as sports halls, dining halls and assembly halls.
“This is a time-consuming, repetitive task and a robotic cleaner could clean these areas much quicker, allowing cleaners to focus on spot cleaning, disinfecting, high-touch points and other areas that a machine is not able to reach effectively.”
The money signed off will go towards the installation of the machines, operating training and a 12-month manufacturer warranty.
It’s hoped the new machines will aid with improving service levels and reduce sickness absences, by alleviating pressures on employees of undertaking certain tasks.