Tuesday 28 June 2022
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.
June is flying by and it’s hard to believe that our East Dunbartonshire schools have broken up for the summer already – I hope those of you taking a summer break this year have a great time and if staying local, that we get a return to some of the lovely warm sunny weather we have had a taste of already this year.
Last Thursday (23 June) was our last full Council meeting before the summer recess and you can find a link to the agenda and reports in the Committee Diary on our Council website. Of particular interest was the ‘Forward in Partnership’ report, highlighting the priority themes of the new Council, as reported in the media release we issued on Friday (24 June) and which you can read on the Council website.
That report also included an Appendix outlining the key considerations for our future organisation. This includes our future work styles and a leadership pack with more detail on this is being prepared, which will be shared with managers to discuss with you all after the summer.
Now on with our regular updates:
News from the Council
Employee Survey
You’ll have seen from recent Employee News that our Employee Survey 2022 is underway and closes at the end of this week – on Friday 1 July. We really want to hear your views on the seven themes – and it only takes a few minutes to complete. Fill the survey in online or paper copies are available in key work locations.
School Clothing Grants doubled
Local families who are entitled to a School Clothing Grant for the new academic year will receive double the amount previously paid out. This increase is to help with the cost of living crisis. The new payment for eligible primary school pupils is £240 while eligible young people at secondary school will be awarded £300. Applications opened on 23 June 2022 and can be made online.
Education Maintenance Allowance
Young people staying on at secondary school may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance. The 2022/23 scheme launches this week (Friday 1 July) and applications can be made online. There's more information about the scheme on the website, but anyone applying should wait for the new 2022/23 form going live on Friday.
Free period products survey
The Council has provided free period products in schools since 2018 and in 12 community locations since 2019. We are carrying out a survey to find out if people are accessing the free products available, what type of products people might prefer and where they might prefer them to be available. This will help us to develop our approach to free provision. We'll be issuing an Employee News when the survey goes live tomorrow and hope as many as possible will take part and share your views.
A new chapter at Boclair Academy
Teachers, staff and pupils left Boclair Academy for the final time last week as they look forward to starting the new term in August in their brand new building, on the same site. The Council Leader met them along with representatives of the construction team to see how the new school is taking shape.
Youngsters involved in water safety message
The East Dunbartonshire Partnership Approach to Water Safety (ED PAWS) has held its first event highlighting the work the group will be doing to improve water safety across the area. You can read all about the event held at Southbank Marina on our website – it included the delivery of waterside responder and CPR training, and a group of schoolchildren took part in a range of interactive activities.
Views sought for Short Term Lets Policy
The Council is seeking thoughts and views on short term lets in the area before a new licensing scheme is introduced. You can read more about the Draft Short Term Lets Policy consultation in our news release on the website. The consultation is now live, including proposed application fees and guidance, and runs until 17 July.
Employee Wellbeing
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for July
The July 2022 Healthy Working Lives Update will be published to the Employee Zone of the website at the end of this week, with news of the themes and campaigns that are taking place throughout the month.
As always, please remember that there is a full range of helpful wellbeing information and advice on a wide range of topics 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….
Play Pass offers summer fun for juniors
Budding sports stars are being offered the chance to raise a racket and take the plunge this summer. The Play Pass - available on certain dates at the Leisuredrome in Bishopbriggs and the Allander Leisure Centre, Bearsden - includes access to badminton, mini tennis, pickleball (a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis) and swimming - all for just £4. For more information, terms and conditions, check out the News section of our website.
Dates for your Diary
1-31 July Plastic Free July
17 July Disability Awareness Day
24 July 24/7 Samaritans Awareness Day/The Big Listen
And finally...
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well. The DCE Update will take a break during July and will be back again with the next edition week beginning Monday 1 August.
Ann