Dear All
Welcome to this latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update.
Our schools break up for their summer break on Wednesday, so I hope those of you taking time off during that school holiday period have a lovely break. Here’s also hoping that the glorious weather we experienced at the start of this month returns for the summer holiday period!
The last Council meeting of this current session was last Thursday, 22 June. As always, you can find the agenda and reports in the Committee Diary of the Council website. Simply go to the meeting date in the calendar, where you will find the agenda and reports.
You’ll have seen from Employee News 19 that a review of the high-level structure of the organisation was considered as part of our Budget update to Council. Following the Council decision, we will begin the process of implementing that new structure in the coming weeks.
Now on to our regular news updates – another bumper edition of news items for this issue!
News from the Council….
Keys handed over for Woodland View
The construction of the brand-new Woodland View School building in Waterside, Kirkintilloch, is now complete, ahead of opening its doors to pupils in August 2023.
Accommodating children and young people from ages two to 18, from across East Dunbartonshire, who currently attend Campsie View and Merkland Schools, the building is designed to be both practical and stimulating for pupils who have a broad range of additional support needs. You can read more and see the pictures in our news item on the website.
Support for local man to start own business
A local man has launched his own business after support from an East Dunbartonshire social work team. The Local Area Coordinators help members of the autistic and learning-disabled communities find their perfect job.
Andrew Kerr, 28, had been keen to find work within the sound industry, a particularly niche area which can be difficult to secure employment in. After speaking with a few companies, the Local Area Coordinators (LACs) discovered that it would benefit Andrew to build on his knowledge and experience before applying for roles. You can read more in the news release.
Exhibition of proposed new civic space in Bishopbriggs
Exciting plans to create a new civic space in Bishopbriggs are taking centre stage thanks to an online exhibition.
The new focal point is part of the Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration project – a key element of the Council's £34.88 million Place and Growth Programme, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. You can read more and see the pictures in our news item on the website.
Concerto Concert for Emerging Soloists at Douglas Academy
Staff and pupils of The Music School of Douglas Academy [opens in a new window] are delighted to invite you to join them at the inaugural Concerto Concert for Emerging Soloists which will take place on Tuesday June 27th at 7.30pm at Douglas Academy. Visit here for more information on their performance and tickets.
Recruiting now for Modern Apprenticeships
If you fancy a career at East Dunbartonshire Council then there’s an opportunity for you right now to apply to be part of our award-winning Modern Apprenticeship Programme.
You have until Friday 30 June to apply for these exciting opportunities on MyJobScotland as the Council searches for people to join as Early Years Workers, Electricians, an Architectural Technician and more. Know someone interested? They can read more in our news item on the website.
Creating a trauma informed community within East Dunbartonshire
People who are affected by trauma - whether it is a one-off event that has happened in their recent past or deep-rooted Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) – must be able to access public services in a considerate and empathetic way.
Services must operate according to five pillars of Trauma Informed Care, namely Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment, Safety and Trust, where both those receiving services and those providing them are able to work together and build successful relationships which lead to positive change. You can read more in our news item on the website.
Switch on to the latest learning materials
As outlined in Employee News 18, corporate users (who have an email address and access to a Council device) will be offered the chance to tap into a range of handy, work-related resources via the new EDC Learning Hub – Moodle Workplace. Log on via EDC Apps and once the page is open, press the Microsoft button (below the words 'LOG IN USING YOUR ACCOUNT ON'). Online courses will be available on subjects such as Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Safety, Information and Security, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Workplace Skills. More will be added on a regular basis – aimed at employees of all grades. Each course will provide bite-sized chunks of information and is designed to be completed within an average of 20 minutes. For more information, visit the Employee Zone.
Consultation in action…….
Lennoxtown residents and visitors are being invited to have their say on proposals to regenerate two underused greenspaces in the town.
The existing red blaes pitches at Station Road Park and Ferguson Park have been identified as being in poor condition and underutilised.
The Lennoxtown Greenspace Improvement project – fully funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - aims to provide sustainable solutions for the parks that will create more attractive, biodiverse and used spaces for the benefit of the people of Lennoxtown and the surrounding areas.
You can read more in the news section of our website.
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 saw a focus on three important awareness weeks (Men’s Health, Healthy Eating and cervical Screening), and you can find out the initiatives taking place in July on the Monthly Wellbeing Focus page.
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)
Dates for your Diary…
28 June Last day of term for East Dunbartonshire Schools
3 July International Plastic Bag Free Day
28 July World Conservation Day
28 July World Hepatitis Day
14 August East Dunbartonshire teachers return to school
16 August East Dunbartonshire pupils return to school
And finally….
As always, my continued thanks to you all – keep well and enjoy your summer break if you are taking one. The next edition of this Depute Chief Executive Update will be in a fortnight’s time, week beginning 10 July.
Ann