Wednesday 3 August 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, and that you have been able to take advantage of some of the great weather we have had this summer.
There was a special Council meeting last Thursday (28 July). The only item on the agenda was a report on hybrid Council meetings and it was agreed that from Thursday 11 August, Council and Committee meetings would be in the hybrid format. You'll be aware that our Council and Committee meetings have been fully online since March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The decision to move to a hybrid format means that there can be a mix of both in-person attendance in the Council Chambers and remote online attendance. This gives us flexibility and helps us to manage the number of people in the Chambers, with COVID infection levels still a concern. Hybrid meetings will continue to be broadcast live on our YouTube channel and you can get the link to the broadcasts in the usual way from our Committee Diary on the Council website.
Now on with our regular updates:
News from the Council
Local leisure centres sign up for Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme
The Leisuredrome, Kirkintilloch and Allander Leisure Centres have signed up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) scheme. It aims to provide families with positive experiences of breastfeeding when out and about - helping them to feel confident and supported. The scheme is backed by the HSCP, EDLC and Council.
Love it when a Clan comes together...
Mugdock Country Park welcomed the North American Society of Clan Graham back to Mugdock Castle recently. It is one of the key sites for the Scottish descendants to visit on their Caledonian pilgrimage as it’s the historic seat of the Clan Graham. Members of the society - from America and Canada - raise funds to support developments of the castle and the generous guests brought a cheque for £5,000 for the Mugdock Trust. For more info, check out our News release.
Find out more about the future in Bishopbriggs
People are being invited to find out more about an emerging blueprint which aims to create a new era for Bishopbriggs town centre. The Bishopbriggs Public Realm Plan is a key part of the Council's £34.88 million Place and Growth Programme. You can check out the latest news via a new online StoryMap which provides information on progress and next steps. A reference copy of the plan and display boards are available in Bishopbriggs Library until the end of August 2022.
New training opportunity
The Tell Organisation is offering a vocational training course for individuals who are interested in working in the social services and healthcare sectors, but have experienced barriers to employment.
Funded through East Dunbartonshire Local Employability Partnership, the 13-week course will be delivered from Monday 15 August at The Broadcroft Hotel, Kirkintilloch. It is open to East Dunbartonshire residents aged over 16.
Participants will be awarded an accredited REHIS Elementary Health & Safety at SCQF Level 5 award. If you know of anyone who would be eligible, they should email employability@tell.co.uk or call 01389 726 555 for more details.
Employee Wellbeing
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for August
The August 2022 Healthy Working Lives Update has been published to the Employee Zone of the website with news of the campaigns that are taking place throughout the month, including links to helpful related information.
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’. It is available to all employees and full details of the service and how to access it can be found on our Employee Assistance Programme page in the Employee Zone.
Other News….
Juniors still have time for summer fun
Budding sports stars still have time to raise a racket, take the plunge and have a ball this summer. The Play Pass - available at certain dates and times 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 info, check out the News section of our website.
Meanwhile, for just £10 per court, aspiring Andy Robertsons and Erin Cuthberts (aged 16 and under) can enjoy an hour-long football session on the outside five-a-side facilities at the Leisuredrome and Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre. Offer applies at certain times until 31 August 2022. For more info, visit the News section of our website.
Dates for your Diary
4 August Cycle to Work Day
9 August SQA exam results day for Nationals & Highers
12 August International Youth Day
15 August Teachers return to school
17 August Pupils return to school
And finally...
As always, my continued thanks to you all - stay safe and keep well. The next edition of this Depute Chief Executive’s Update will be in a fortnight's time, week beginning Monday 15 August.
Ann