.Dear All
Welcome to the latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I also hope that you and your families are safe and well.
Whilst guidance in relation to COVID-19 has again been updated, our command and control arrangements remain in place and we have reintroduced our fortnightly service updates to councillors. You can read the latest update, which was issued on Friday 21 January, in the Technical Note section of our website.
Although restrictions in relation to indoor and outdoor gatherings have been eased, wearing a mask in public places is still required and regular testing also remains an important element of staying safe and preventing the spread of Covid. Lateral flow test kits for home testing for those without symptoms are available throughout East Dunbartonshire (details can be found on the community testing page of our website) and it is important that we all continue to follow the mitigations we have in place in all of our workplaces.
Now, on with our regular news updates:
News from the Council
Holocaust Memorial Day – Thursday 27 January
The Community Hubs in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch, along with Milngavie Town Hall, will all be lit up in purple later this week for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). Commemorated by the Council since 2007, this international day is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945 and is an opportunity to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
Our libraries will be featuring a range of eBooks and eAudiobooks exploring the experiences and stories of those impacted by the Holocaust across their digital collections. For details visit the Trust’s 24/7 Library web page and further details of HMD can be found in the News section of our website.
Locality Plans Consultation
Residents of our four East Dunbartonshire ‘place’ communities are being asked to share what issues are most important to them in an ongoing review. The ‘place’ areas in East Dunbartonshire are Harestanes and Hillhead, Twechar, Lennoxtown and Auchinairn. The Community Planning Partnership is working with individuals and groups in these areas to address inequality and target resources where they are needed most through place/locality plans.
These plans are being refreshed and local people are encouraged to have their say via a survey which will allow the Partnership to understand the issues being faced and develop future priorities. The survey runs until 22 February 2022 can be found on the locality plan consultation page of our website.
Funding support for local businesses
The Council is helping to administer Scottish Government support for businesses in the leisure and hospitality sectors, to offset the impact of measures introduced to control the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Check out our business support webpage for full details.
Employability Grants Programme launched
A new Employability grant from the Scottish Government, administered locally by the Council has been launched. It is funded through the ‘No-one left behind’ and ‘Young Person’s Guarantee’ programmes and will provide support and advice to those looking to secure their first job or to re-enter the job market after a break for any reason. More details and the application form can be found on our website.
Employee Wellbeing - Healthy Working Lives news for February
The February 2022 Healthy Working lives update will be published to the Employee Zone, this coming week, with news of the themes and campaigns that we are promoting in February, including the following:
- It's time to talk
We just had Brew Monday when we were invited to stop, have a cuppa and a chat to help look after our mental health. Thursday 3 February is Time to Talk Day when we're encouraged to make sure we talk about mental health. It's happening across the UK and is the only time of year where charities and anti-stigma programmes get together to challenge discrimination by getting people everywhere to have conversations. The more we talk about it, the better life is for all of us. Remember, our Employee Assistance Programme provides ‘Time for Talking’ - a free, 24 hour, confidential helpline/support service. If you need to talk, call 0800 970 3980. - Mentioning the Menopause
By popular demand, there will be another Teams talk on the menopause, delivered by Dr Kay McAllister from the Sandyford Service. The last event in September was a big hit. Organised by the Healthy Working Lives working group this next talk will be on Wednesday 16 February from 4-5pm. In response to feedback, it is being held at a time when teachers and other frontline workers may find it easier to join. If you wish to attend, please email: mandy.ferncombe@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and if you have questions for Dr McAllister send them to Mandy in advance.
You can also find up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopause symptoms and treatment options on the Menopause Matters website.
A reminder that 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
Work and Save
If you’ve been thinking about putting some money away for a rainy day it might be a good time to join Scotwest Credit Union. With Scotwest you make payments through payroll deduction – you simply chose how much you want to be deducted from your salary each pay day to be paid into your Scotwest account(s). You can manage your account online, over the phone or by post. To find out more about saving with Scotwest Credit Union and the other financial services they provide, visit the Scotwest Credit Union page on The Hub.
Improving the Cancer Journey service
Cancer doesn't just affect your physical wellbeing - it impacts upon every aspect of your life. East Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership has joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to help people who have been diagnosed with cancer. The aim is to ensure they have access to all the support they need, as soon as they need it, to enable them to live as well and as independently as possible. Find out more about the new Improving the Cancer Journey service via the website or email eastdunicj@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
New exhibitions organised by EDLC Trust
Six decades of artistic inspiration and a variety of stunning photos are being showcased as part of three new exhibitions.
- 'The Lillie at 60' marks 60 years of the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie (on until 28 April)
- The 'Scottish Photographic Circle Exhibition' is on at the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch until 18 February
- 'A Wider View' shines a light on the photo journalism and street photography of the renowned James Gilmour - on display at the Lillie Art Gallery until 24 February
Check out the News section of our website for more info and a video.
Your Vote Week
With the Scottish local government elections taking place in May this year, the Electoral Commission has launched ‘Welcome to Your Vote’ week, an initiative to encourage 16 and 17 year olds, who are eligible to vote in the election, to ensure that they have registered to vote by the closing date of 18 April. More details can be found on the Electoral Commission website.
Dates for your Diary
24 January Welcome to Your Vote week launch
1-28 February LGBT+ History Month
3 February Time to Talk day
16 February Menopause talk
17 February Council Budget Meeting
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next fortnightly DCE Update will be on Monday 7 February.
Ann