Dear All
Welcome to the latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I hope that you and your families are safe and well and were not too troubled by the spate of storms we’ve experienced over the last week or so. Special thanks to all those teams dealing with these challenging weather events.
Our focus this week is on the Council Budget for 2022/23 which will be agreed at the Council Meeting on Thursday (24 February). At the meeting, Councillors will consider the following:
- Housing Revenue & Capital Budget
- General Fund Revenue Budget
- Revised 10 Year Capital Investment Plan
The reports can all be found in the Committee Diary page of the Council website and you can watch proceedings on our YouTube channel, where the meeting will be streamed from 5pm.
We’ll be issuing our usual news releases following the Budget decisions, to advise of key decisions including the Council Tax rates and Housing rents for the year ahead. These will be published in the news section of the Website on Friday.
With the Budget preparations being prioritised in recent weeks, the next fortnightly service update for councillors will be issued this coming Friday, 25 February and will be published as usual in the Technical Notes section of the Council website.
Now on with our regular updates:
News from the Council
Seen Something? Say Something!
We are supporting a national campaign asking everyone to look out for vulnerable adults and report anything that just doesn't seem right. The pandemic has made vulnerable adults less visible but we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. If you see something, say something. Make a call to Social Work on 0141 355 2200 or Police Scotland on 101 and report your concerns as an adult protection referral. Find out more about the campaign and watch this short video.
Events on the menu as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2022
Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 runs from 21 February to 6 March and the campaign for climate justice continues, with a view to ensuring that farmers overseas can benefit from fairer prices and the resources needed. Events have been organised in East Dunbartonshire to raise awareness and encourage an appetite for change - including a Fairtrade Bake Off! Check out the News section of our website for details.
Potential plans could be the business
People are being invited to help shape plans to boost business in Bishopbriggs. Views are being sought on a potential Business Incubation Centre in the town - part of the Council's £34.88 million City Deal Place and Growth Programme for the area. The aim is to examine options to provide affordable, flexible space to help local businesses begin, bloom and flourish - creating and retaining employment within Bishopbriggs and East Dunbartonshire. Consultation is taking place until 13 March 2022 to help establish local demand. For more information, visit the News section of our website.
Business support
For the latest news on support for local businesses - including the Close Contact Services Fund, Public House Table Service Restrictions Fund, and grants for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers and Operators - visit our business support webpage.
Employee Wellbeing
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for February
The March 2022 Healthy Working lives update will be published to the Employee Zone early next week, with news of the themes and campaigns that we are promoting in March.
A full range of helpful wellbeing information and advice, on a wide range of topics, is available on the Wellbeing page of our Employee Zone.
Our Employee Assistance Programme also includes a free 24 hour confidential helpline/support service ‘Time for Talking’. Full details of the service and how to access it can be found on our Employee Assistance Programme page in the Employee Zone.
Other News
Local History Month returns with a host of historical highlights
Following an enforced two-year absence, history is being brought back to life in East Dunbartonshire during March through a series events to celebrate Local History Month.
Organised by EDLC Trust in partnership with East Dunbartonshire’s heritage and history groups, events – including walks, talks and exhibitions - have been planned at venues across the area. Highlights include a talk on Irish Family History, a digital display on the Bearsden shark, a presentation by archivist Dr Irene O’Brien from Glasgow’s Mitchell Library Archives and a guided heritage walk round the Mains Estate using historical maps.
The full programme is available on the EDLC website.
Make it count!
Make a note in your diary now. March 20 2022 is Census Day. The Scottish Census 2022 is the official count of everyone in Scotland and we all are all being urged to fill it in. By doing so, we provide the information needed by to help influence essential services such as healthcare and education. Go to Scotlands Census webpage for more information on how to complete.
Dates for your Diary
21-27 February Mugdock Wellbeing Week
24 February Council Budget Meeting
1-31 March Local History Month
3 March World Wildlife Day
14 March Commonwealth Day
20 March Census Day
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next DCE Update will be in a fortnight’s time on Monday 7 March.
Ann