Dear All
Welcome to this latest edition of our fortnightly Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well.
Our focus last month was preparing and agreeing the Council Budget, including setting the Council Tax for the year ahead. The Budget meeting for 2023/24 was held on Thursday 23 February and we issued Employee News 08 last week to share the main headlines and confirm our Council Tax increase of 5%. A new cost-of-living support package was agreed and the funding gap has been underwritten by our reserves as we look to implement a new locality based model for the organisation to deliver efficiencies.
The Council Leader’s Budget Speech is available online and you can also read the news releases we issued following the meeting on our website:
Council Leader Budget Speech
Council Budget & Capital Programme News Release
Housing Revenue & Capital Budget News Release
You should now all be aware that we are in the process of moving our email provider from IBM Notes to Microsoft Outlook as part of our Smart Working approach and a wider rollout of the Microsoft M365 tools. Employee News 04 issued on 10 February gave an overview of this change and a timeline and in Employee News 06 issued on 21 February we provided further information on our new approach to booking meeting rooms and resources such as pool cars.
To ensure a straightforward transition to our new email provider, please make sure that you carry out the actions required when you receive your ‘one week to go’ email. And remember that our M365 Adoption Hub has a wealth of information and support, including FAQs, and is well worth a visit.
Now on to our regular news roundup.
News from the Council….
Exciting times ahead for the Allander
The new Allander Leisure Centre opened to the public this week (Monday 6 March) – and what a fantastic new facility it is! Phase 1 includes an eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool, sauna and steam room, gym, spin studio, squash courts and games hall. It also includes a support centre for adults with learning disabilities and a hydrotherapy pool. The old leisure centre is now being demolished and Phase 2 will include the building of a new sports dome. You can read more in our news release on the website – or better still, why not head over and try the facilities for yourself?
Breathing easier in East Dunbartonshire
This week also saw the launch of our campaign to stop engine idling. The Breath Easier campaign is letting us know that by turning off our engines we can be healthier, save money and protect the environment. Cutting our engines reduces pollutants that are known to damage our health, can lower our fuel costs and protects us all from the harmful gasses that contribute to climate change. You can read more in our campaign news release on the website – or listen out for our campaign ads on Radio Clyde.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week
This week is Scottish Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March) and is an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution of apprentices to our Council workforce. Almost 150 local young people have started their careers through the Council’s award-winning Modern Apprenticeship Programme since 2013, with some recruits receiving national awards for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments. Read more on our news page.
Spring Clean to Keep East Dunbartonshire Beautiful
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful run an annual ‘Spring Clean’ campaign, which this year runs from 17 March until 17 April. A key message is that we should take pride in our local communities and small efforts, such as litter picking, can make a huge difference. With the climate emergency, its as important as ever to look after our environment and organising or participating in a local litter pick can help keep our environment cleaner and greener. You can read our Spring Clean news release on our website or visit the Keep Scotland Beautiful website to find out more.
Outstanding Inspection Report for Douglas Academy
Staff and pupils at Douglas Academy celebrated a fantastic inspection report last month, following an inspection visit by Education Scotland towards the end of last year. Highlights of the report included that young people in the school were motivated to achieve, there is excellent attainment across the school and that the empowering leadership at the school creates a climate of high aspirations and expectations. Huge congratulations to Headteacher Barry Smedley, the whole school staff and pupils on this glowing report. You can read more in the news release on our website.
You can read all the Council news we issue on the News Page of our Council website – or alternatively you can follow us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
Employee Wellbeing News….
Employee Wellbeing
The Wellbeing page of the Employee Zone has a host of information and signposting to support across a range of wellbeing matters, including financial wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and bereavement support. Do visit the page if it may be of assistance to you – and share the link with colleagues if you think they might benefit.
Please remember that if you need it, our Employee Assistance Programme includes a 24/7 confidential helpline and support service ‘Time for Talking’ which is available to all our employees.
Monthly Wellbeing Focus
Our Monthly Wellbeing Focus for March, with the specific wellbeing campaigns and initiatives being featured for the month, is published in the Monthly Wellbeing Focus page of the Employee Zone.
Dates for your Diary…
6-12 March Food Waste Action Week
8 March International Women’s Day
9 March Council Meeting
17 Mar-17 Apr Keep Scotland Beautiful – Spring Clean
18 March Global Recycling Day
19 March Mothers’ Day
20 March First Day of Spring
And finally….
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next edition of this Depute Chief Executive Update will be in a fortnight’s time, week beginning 20 March.
Ann