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.
In the week following our last update, the Council set its budget for 2022/23. A 3% increase to Council Tax was agreed and you can read about how the budget has been balanced and highlights of the revised capital programme for the next 10 years in our Budget news release. The Housing Budget was also agreed on 24 February and you can read about the agreed rent increase for Council tenants and details of the Housing revenue and capital budgets in the Housing Budget news release.
The horrifying Russian invasion of Ukraine has dominated the news since the last DCE Update and within the Council, we are showing our support for Ukraine and its people by illuminating our buildings in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Bishopbriggs Community Hub and the Lillie Art Gallery have been lit blue and yellow, and Bearsden Community Hub, William Patrick Library and Milngavie Town Hall have been lit up blue. In addition, the Ukrainian flag is currently flying at the Council HQ. You can read all our actions in our Ukraine news release on the Council website.
For those of you particularly impacted by the devastating situation in Ukraine, please remember our Employee Assistance Programme is available for anyone who needs support. This includes our Time to Talk 24/7 helpline, which is available to anyone who needs to talk to someone about how they are feeling. Full details of our Employee Assistance Programme are available in Wellbeing section of the Employee Zone.
Here are the latest of our regular updates:
News from the Council
Scottish Apprenticeship Week
It is Scottish Apprenticeship Week this week (7-11 March) and we are promoting some of our fantastic apprentices and our award-winning early careers programme. Rory, a Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice, Callum, a Plumbing and Heating Engineer Apprentice, and Ashley, a Business Admin Apprentice, all feature in our social media campaign this week where they recommend apprenticeships as a career choice for school leavers. Look out for them on the Council's Facebook and Twitter channels.
Waste Services launch new recycling campaign
Later this month, East Dunbartonshire residents will be able to recycle more than ever. From Monday 28 March, there will be a significant increase in the types of items which the Council can accept from its kerbside recycling collections.
In addition to plastic bottles such as shampoo, detergent and drinks bottles, the following will be able to be put into your brown bin and diverted from landfill:
- Tinfoil
- Carrier bags, bread bags and vegetable bags
- Plastic trays from microwave meals, fruit punnets and biscuits
- Plastic tubs such as margarine or ice-cream tubs
- Plastic pots such as those for yogurt, puddings, noodles and soup.
Look out for posters appearing across the area alerting people to the new changes.
Welcome to Your Vote Day
The Electoral Commission is running 'Welcome to Your Vote Day' on Thursday 10 March 2022 to raise awareness amongst recently-enfranchised foreign citizens about their right to vote in the upcoming council elections in Scotland on Thursday 5 May. Everyone who is 16 or over and resident in Scotland is eligible. Due to recent changes in the law in Scotland, these elections will be the first opportunity for many new Scots to have their say on who they want to represent them. You must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 18 April to participate in these elections. You can register now at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It's easy to do and only takes five minutes.
Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative
With the assistance of our Streetscene colleagues, Provost Gary Pews planted a Great White Cherry tree in Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch, in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Across the country individuals and organisations are planting trees to mark the momentous occasion through The Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative. The official tree planting season runs between October and March, but tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year. Anyone keen to get involved should visit the QGC website for lots of information on how to take part.
Employee Wellbeing
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for February
The March 2022 Healthy Working lives update has been published to the Employee Zone, 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 section 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. There is a wealth of information and support available on all aspects of life.
Other News….
Spectrum Film Club
A new film club has been launched for local people with autism and associated conditions to allow them to enjoy a diverse range of films in a more relaxing environment. Dedicated screenings will be offered on a monthly basis following a successful pilot at Kilmardinny House last month.
The Spectrum Film Club has been planned by a committee of local autistic residents with support from Social Work, aimed at making a night at the movies more accessible for those with autism and their families.
During Spectrum screenings, members of staff will be on hand and a 'break-out room' will be available for anyone who would like quiet time during the film. In addition, multiple easy-access resources including a 'What to Expect' guide and video are available via the Spectrum Film Club page on the HSCP website. The first screening is 'The Princess Bride' - taking place at 5pm on Tuesday 15 March. Subsequent screenings will be on the third Tuesday of each month. Listings will appear on the Spectrum webpage and seats should be reserved via that page in advance.
New exhibition at the Lillie Art Gallery
A new exhibition showcasing the work of female artists is taking place at the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie. 'The Glasgow Society of Women Artists' exhibition opened on Saturday 5 March and includes exciting new work from the long-established society. Its membership of over 200 artists and lay members covers all genres of creativity, with painters, sculptors, textile artists, photographers, printmakers and silversmiths within its ranks. The exhibition will run until Thursday 28 April. For more information, call the gallery on 0141 956 5536
Breaking down boundaries with the Romans
The Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch has stepped back in time to explore the vast Roman Empire and its impact and influence on the local area through a collection of fascinating stories and objects. 'The Antonine Wall: Beyond Boundaries’ is a touring exhibition from Historic Scotland - on display locally until Saturday 7 May. To book please email museums@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call the museum on 0141 777 3013.
International Women’s Day
I’m sure we all strive for a world that is free of bias, stereotype and discrimination and that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. This is also our ambition for our workforce here in East Dunbartonshire, and whilst we respect equality across all characteristics we particularly think of gender equality this week as Tuesday 8 March is International Women’s Day (IWD). The theme for IWD 2022 is #breakthebias. We are all reminded that we are responsible for our thoughts and actions and that collectively, we can break the bias in our communities and our workplaces.
Dates for your Diary
7-11 March Apprenticeship Week
8 March International Women’s Day
14 March Commonwealth Day
20 March Census Day
And finally...
Congratulations to Ross Paterson in our Trading Standards team for winning the Scottish Curling Championships! Skip Ross led his team to a victory in a hard-fought game with Team Paterson edging the win in the final end. And if that wasn’t enough good news, Team Paterson have been selected to represent Scotland at the World Championships which are being held in USA in April. On behalf of all your colleagues, well done and good luck in Las Vegas!
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next DCE Update will be in a fortnight’s time, week beginning Monday 21 March.
Ann