Dear All
Happy New Year and welcome to our latest Depute Chief Executive Update, our first edition for 2022. I hope you all enjoyed some time with loved ones over the festive period, and huge thanks to those of you working throughout Christmas and New Year to keep our essential services operating. As always, I also hope that you and your families are safe and well.
You’ll have seen from news coverage over the last week or so that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to give concern and as such we still have our command and control process in place.
There have also been changes to the self-isolation guidance, effective from 6 January. You can read the First Minister’s statement in relation to these changes on the Scottish Government website. In summary, the changes are as follows:
- Positive cases are advised to self-isolate for 10 days. However, if the individual returns two consecutive negative LFD tests taken at least 24 hours apart with the first test no earlier than day 6 they may end isolation before the end of the 10 day period if they have no fever.
- Close contacts who are fully vaccinated, having received 3 doses of the vaccination (plus 14 days) or are aged under 18 years and 4 months, can take daily LFD tests for 7 days instead of isolation - provided the tests are negative and they remain without symptoms. If someone has not received 3 doses of the vaccination, they will need to book a PCR test and even if this is a negative result, they will need to isolate for 10 days.
Testing remains key in controlling and managing the spread of the virus and the additional guidance that we issued in relation to workplace testing must continue to be followed along with all the other mitigations in place in our workplaces to keep us all safe.
Now, on with our regular news updates:
News from the Council
Covid-19 Testing
With a continued emphasis on regular testing when we do not have COVID-19 symptoms, our community testing centre in the War Memorial Hall in Bishopbriggs continues to operate Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm (last test 4.15pm).
Increased availability of Lateral Flow testing kits
We have also been asked to support the wider availability of lateral flow test kits throughout the area for those without symptoms. You can now collect these from the following venues but keep an eye on the website for any changes:
- War Memorial Hall, Bishopbriggs
- The community testing bus in Milngavie precinct
- The Allander, Leisuredrome and Kirkintilloch leisure centres
- Auchinairn, Hillhead and Twechar community centres
- The four Community Hubs (Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Lennoxtown, Kirkintilloch).
You can also still order lateral flow kits to be delivered directly to your home from the gov.uk website.
A reminder that lateral flow tests are for those without symptoms. If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, you must immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test, which you can do through the NHS Inform website.
Going to school in East Dunbartonshire
Registration for our primary and secondary schools is underway with closing dates fast approaching. Young people wishing to start S1 at their catchment Secondary School must apply by this Friday, 14 January. Children starting P1 in August must be registered by 21 January and this can be done online. Our placing request application process is also now open and doesn't close until 15 March.
Early Years Registration
Parents and carers of 3 and 4 year olds can now register for an Early Learning & Childcare place starting in academic year August 2022 - July 2023. Registration is open until Monday 28 February and full details of Early Years provision and how to apply can be found on our website.
School Meals Update
If you have a child or young person at school then there are two things you should know! From this month all P5 pupils are entitled to a free school meal. And due to some supply chain issues the menu is looking a little different. Check out all the healthy choices on offer.
Reminder – Safe & Together Model Overview Virtual Event
There are still spaces available for the Safe & Together Model Overview Virtual Event taking place on Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 February 2022, from 1 - 4pm (attendance is required both days).
The event, which is being delivered via Microsoft Teams by the Safe & Together Institute, is an introduction to a new approach to working with families impacted by domestic abuse. The Safe & Together model is a perpetrator pattern based, child centred, survivor strengths approach to working with domestic abuse. The model is behaviourally focused and highlights how work is carried out practically and with concrete system changes in practice.
Colleagues who work in Education, Housing Services and Social Care are being encouraged to attend the event and partners across East Dunbartonshire (eg Police and Voluntary Services) are also being invited.
To register your interest please email CPC@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Support for hospitality businesses
Fresh funding has been allocated to support businesses in the hospitality sector affected by the latest public health advice. For more info on the December/January Business Support Top Up - Hospitality fund, visit the business support webpage.
Shared Equity Homes go on sale
Applications are now open for East Dunbartonshire Council’s Shared Equity for Sale Scheme. A total of 16 brand new properties are now available across three locations; Tom Johnston Place and St Agatha’s Grove, in Kirkintilloch, and Rose Dene Drive in Bearden.
The scheme is predominantly aimed at first time buyers living in East Dunbartonshire, particularly those in social rented accommodation, but preference will also be given to other eligible households as detailed on the Council’s website.
For full details, including maximum income rates to qualify and an application form, please visit the Shared Equity page on our website.
Employee Wellbeing - Healthy Working Lives news for January
The January 2022 Healthy Working lives update has been published to the Employee Zone, with news of the themes and campaigns that we are promoting this month.
Dry January (1-31 January)
Dry January is the UK’s one month alcohol-free challenge. It isn’t about giving anything up. It’s about getting something back. Get your fun back. Get your energy back. Get your calm back. Get your YOU back. To take part or find out more visit the alcohol change website.
Related to the alcohol-free challenge there is information on the Love Your Liver campaign in the Wellbeing section of the Employee Zone and also information on the Council’s Drug, Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy and toolkit in the Policies and Procedures section.
Brew Monday
The third Monday in January – 17 January this year - is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’ but the Samaritans are trying to change this myth. Recognising we all have our good and our bad days, the day is now called ‘Brew Monday’ and instead of being ‘blue’ we are encouraged to reach out and connect with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones – we can always make time for a cuppa and a catch-up. It doesn’t matter if it’s Monday morning or Saturday night, or if we’re drinking green tea, black coffee or orange juice. If we’re sharing a cuppa and listening, we’re doing it right. For more information visit Samaritans Brew Monday webpage.
Need support? Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan
Further support around employee wellbeing can be accessed 24/7 via the Council’s Employee Assistance Programme – Time for Talking. Full details of this 24 hour service are available on the Employee Assistance Programme page of the Employee Zone.
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
17-23 January is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week which aims to raise awareness of cervical screening, a key aspect of early detection and preventing cervical cancer. One in four women and people with a cervix don’t attend cervical screening and the campaign aims to change that. Full details of the campaign can be found on the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust webpage.
A full range of helpful wellbeing information on a wide range of topics is available on the Wellbeing page of our Employee Zone.
Other News
Dates for your Diary
1-31 January Annual ‘Dry January’ alcohol-free challenge
17-23 January Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
17 January Brew Monday
27 January International Holocaust Memorial Day
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next fortnightly DCE Update will be on Monday 24 January.
Ann