Friday 2 June
Dear All
Welcome to this latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well.
Hard to believe that it is June already! This year is flying by – but the good news is that this lovely weather we’ve been enjoying is set to last well into next week.
There are just a few days to go to get any nominations in for the Provost’s inaugural Community Champions Awards – check out the information and links in the news round-up below and be sure to put any nominations forward by the submission deadline next Thursday, 8 June.
This month sees our final Council meeting before the Summer recess on Thursday 22 June, so a wee reminder that you can find the agenda and reports for our Council and Committee meetings in the Committee Diary of the Council website. Simply go to the meeting date in the calendar, where you will find the reports and also a link that enables you to watch the meeting live on You Tube on the night.
Now on to our regular news updates – a bumper edition of news items for this issue!
News from the Council….
Pedalling to success
We have become the latest Council to achieve 100% delivery of Bikeability Scotland level-2 on-road cycle training in Scotland. Figures show that in 2021-22, our Education Service worked with Cycling Scotland and schools to carry out the training with over 1,300 primary pupils. And we are on target to reach all our primary schools this year too. Find out more about this wheely good story on our news pages.
Making History at Woodland View School
The new Woodland View ASN School in Kirkintilloch is making great progress ahead of formally opening to pupils in August this year. This week saw history being made when a time capsule was planted at the site – future generations will see life in East Dunbartonshire from ASN pupil’s eyes when it is unearthed. You can read more and see the pictures in our news item on the website.
Youth Development Workers have positive impact in our Secondary Schools
Following a successful pilot in Kirkintilloch High School in 2021, Youth Development Workers are being appointed to all eight of the Council’s Secondary Schools. Working in partnership with Headteachers and teaching staff, Youth Development Workers focus on a variety of youth services, such as employability programmes and well-being to supporting young people disengaging with learning and wider achievement. Visit our news article on the Council website for more details and for the link to a great video explaining the initiative.
Scottish Youth Parliament looking for new members
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is the democratically elected voice of the country’s young people and they are looking for new members ahead of an election later this year. If you know anyone who is aged 14-25 and interested in standing, check out the SYP website and video for application details.
Alternatively ask them to email: cldyoungpeople@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or speak to the Youth Development Worker in their school.
Last chance to enter - Provost’s Community Champion Awards
Provost Renwick has launched her Community Champion Awards and is looking for nominations from throughout the area in six categories:
- Community Champion
- Young Champion
- Caring Champion
- Sports Champion
- Arts & Heritage Champion
- Sustainability Champion
Full details and the application form can be found in the news release announcing the awards and there is a dedicated Community Champions Awards page on the website. All nominations must be received by 5pm on Thursday 8 June.
Trusted Trader Scheme Launched
Traders in East Dunbartonshire are being encouraged to find out more about our newly launched, local Trusted Trader Scheme. The scheme aims to increase customer confidence in finding reliable trades to undertake work and will be over-seen in East Dunbartonshire by the Trading Standards Team. Read our news release on the Council website to find out more on this great initiative.
Tenants take up residence in new affordable Housing in Kirkintilloch
Smart new affordable housing on the former Lairdsland Primary School site in Kirkintilloch has welcomed its first new residents following completion of the 38 new flats on the site. Read about these great hew homes, including a number adapted to meet specific health needs, in our news release – and find out how artefacts from the former school building have been incorporated in to the new site and saved for posterity in the town’s Auld Kirk museum.
Consultation in action…….
Have your say on Westerhill Relief Road Route
A consultation exercise is underway encouraging people to have their say on the final route of the Westerhill Relief Road - also known as phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road. The consultation is live and will run until 22 June. Visit our news release for more information on this project, part of our City Deal programme, and find details of how to participate, including a drop-in event in the War Memorial Hall on 19 June.
Get involved in the new Local Development Plan
Now that our Local Development Plan 2 has been adopted, work now begins on Local Development Plan 3, which is expected to be in place during 2028. As part of the process to prepare LDP3, the Council is asking residents and stakeholders how they would like to be involved in the process. Read our news release on the Council website for more information and for details of three drop-in sessions (in Bishopbriggs, Bearsden and online) and make sure you have your say before the closing date for this stage of 27 June.
Employee Wellbeing News….
Monthly Wellbeing Focus
Our Monthly Wellbeing Focus has specific wellbeing campaigns and initiatives being featured for the month and it is published in the Monthly Wellbeing Focus page of the Employee Zone.
This month sees a focus on three important awareness weeks, and you can find out more and links to additional information on the Monthly Wellbeing Focus page:
12-16 June Healthy Eating Week
12-18 June Men’s Health Week
19-24 June Cervical Screening Awareness Week
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.
The contact details for employees looking for immediate support are as follows:
- Telephone: 0800 9703980
- Email: admin@timefortalking.co.uk(link sends e-mail)
- Time for Talking website [opens in a new window](link is external)
- Live Web Chat: Accessed via website. Password: TfTnow (case sensitive)
News from the EDLC Trust….
Latest Auld Kirk Museum Exhibition is a ‘family affair’
The Town and Country Exhibition at the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch, running from 27 May to 27 July, sees exhibits from local artist Dick Stevenson and his talented daughter Jackie Stevenson. Head to our news page for more information – or better still, head down to the Auld Kirk itself to see their wonderful work.
Dates for your Diary…
5 June World Environment Day
8 June Closing date for Community Champion Award submissions
22 June Final Council meeting before summer recess
27 June Final day to have your say on engagement for LDP3
28 June Last day of term for East Dunbartonshire Schools
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 19 June.
Ann