Dear All
Welcome to this latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I hope that you and your families are safe and well.
The focus of the past few weeks following the election on 5 May was the statutory meeting of the new Council. This first meeting is when the Provost, who chairs our Council meetings is appointed, followed by the selection of a Council Leader and Depute Leader and Conveners for the Council’s committees. This meeting took place on Thursday last week (19 May) and the following appointments were made:
Provost: Councillor Gillian Renwick
Depute Provost: Councillor Colette McDiarmid
Council Leader: Councillor Gordan Low
Depute Leader: Councillor Calum Smith
You can find out the Conveners and Vice Conveners of the key Council committees in the media release which was issued following the meeting and is on the Council website.
A full cycle of all the Council committees now takes place with the final Council meeting before recess being held on Thursday 23 June. Meetings will continue to take place online up to the Council recess and technology to enable hybrid meetings to take place after the summer is being introduced to the Council chambers.
Now on with our regular updates:
News from the Council
Wardens rooted in the community
Some of our green fingered Community Wardens have been giving a helping hand to New Roots Gardening Club, assisting them with planting the beds at Milngavie Community Centre and Library – it looks blooming marvellous! Not only have the wardens been helping to bring colour to the flower beds, they have also been getting to know the local residents who attend the club. Read our news story to find out more about the Club and our colleagues who have been digging deep for their community.
Help to stop scammers
If you know someone who is a telecare user, please keep an eye - and an ear - out for scammers. There have been reports of false phone calls to users asking them to pay for a new alarm as their current system is apparently obsolete. Many users are vulnerable so they are particularly at risk. Anyone who receives a concerning call or needs advice is asked to get in touch with our Trading Standards team - call 0300 1234510 or email trading.standards@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Trading Standards can supply FREE landline telephone call blockers for East Dunbartonshire residents who are vulnerable to scams.
New play park gets a thumbs up
It may be unlucky for some, but Friday 13th was a great day for a group of pupils from Meadowburn Primary School as they officially opened a new local play park in Bishopbriggs.
Meadowburn North Play Area has been completely transformed thanks to a £90,000 investment by the Council. The new play park design was voted for by the community and was officially opened with a visit from pupils, having been completed last month.
Homes for Ukraine - Welcome Sessions
These events will give refugees settling in the area and their hosts an opportunity to speak in an informal and relaxed setting to representatives from a range of Council services and partner organisations providing services and offering information and support. The next session in on Thursday 9 June 6-8pm at Lenzie Union Church, and more details can be found on the Refugees page on our Council website.
Latest Climate Action Update
We have committed to provide regular information on key climate change action taking place in East Dunbartonshire. Check out the latest edition of the Climate Action Plan Newsletter for an update on developments and work taking place locally. You can find all our CAP Newsletters on the dedicated page on our Council website.
Employee Wellbeing
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for May
The May 2022 Healthy Working lives update is live on the Employee Zone of the website, with news of the themes and campaigns that we are promoting this month, including National walking month which runs from 1-31 May.
The June HWL Update will be published next week – so look out for June themes and we’ll highlight those in our next edition.
A full range of helpful wellbeing information and advice on a wide range of topics, including physical activity and emotional wellbeing, 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. There is a wealth of information and support available on all aspects of life.
Other News….
Anyone for tennis?
If you're looking for a family activity to keep everyone occupied over the summer months, East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust has served up an offer you will love.
Budding Andy Murrays and Emma Raducanus will be delighted to know that until 31 August, you can net half price tennis and free equipment hire at Huntershill Sports Hub and Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre on their five all weather tennis courts.
Bookings must be made in advance by calling Huntershill Community Sports Hub on 0141 777 3061 or Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre on 0141 578 8222.
Dates for your Diary
1-31 May National walking month
27 May School holiday
2-5 June Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Holiday Weekend
5 June World Environment Day
9 June Welcome session for refugees & hosts, Lenzie
And finally...
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The next DCE Update will be in a fortnight’s time after the Jubilee Holiday weekend, week beginning Monday 6 June.
Ann