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 – the holidays seem to have flown by and our pupils return to school today.
Despite the disruption and challenging circumstances of the past two and a half years, our secondary school pupils received strong SQA exam results – this is the first year since 2019 that pupils have sat formal exams and analysis shows that our East Dunbartonshire results remain strong and similar to pre-pandemic levels. These achievements are tribute to the resilience and hard work of our young people and the support provided by our school staff. You can read more in the news release we issued on Results Day.
I mentioned in my last Update that we were introducing new technology to our Council Chambers. We have now successfully held our first few hybrid meetings, where attendance can be either in person in the Chambers or online. As we’ve previously said, our 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. The next full Council meeting is on Thursday 22 September and Service Committees for this current cycle are underway.
Now on with our regular updates:
News from the Council
Provost opens new community space
A colourful new area has been officially opened in Kirkintilloch - offering people the chance to relax, socialise and enjoy a trip back in time. Provost Gillian Renwick opened the new Townhead Square Community Space on Friday (12 August). It is designed not only to be a place of relaxation, but also to pay homage to the area's strong community spirit and rich heritage. For more info, visit the News section of our website.
Boost could be blooming marvellous
A funding boost could help local groups and innovative projects to grow and flourish. The East Dunbartonshire Community Grants Scheme has £50,000 available to be distributed among organisations as part of its latest round. One of the successful applicants in 2020-21 was New Roots Gardening Club, which secured £1,500 for a project involving community growing spaces. Read the release on how Your group could find the recipe for success with a Community Grant.
Official launch of Improving the Cancer Journey Service
A new service to ensure cancer patients are offered emotional, practical and financial support was launched in East Dunbartonshire last Wednesday (10 August). Macmillan Cancer Support and East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) are working with a range of organisations to help ensure cancer patients across the area can access all the help they need – by making just one phone call. Visit the News section of our website.
Walking Back to Happiness
A new and improved boardwalk and path network is coming soon to Lenzie Moss to provide better access for all visitors to the nature reserve. The existing boardwalk, built in 2005, is to be completely revamped as part of a project funded by the Council’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes allocation from Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). The work will also include upgrades to two sections of the popular circular walk. To ensure safety during the works, the boardwalk will be closed from Monday 15 August until Monday 12 December.
New training opportunity
Do you know somebody who is unemployed and not in education, who is interested in working in childcare? Connecting within Early Years is a 12-week long course that provides an introduction to the role of an Early Learning Centre practitioner and can help individuals into a career in childcare.
Participants will work towards accredited qualifications in First Aid, Paediatric First Aid, and a range of SCQF Level 4s in personal development.
Delivered four days a week by Training & Initiatives Ltd, the course is funded through East Dunbartonshire Local Employability Partnerships. Anyone interested can call 0141 771 5200 for more details including start dates.
Council Instagram Account
The Council has launched its Instagram account this month and will be showcasing pictures and videos from around the area. Council news and events can still be found on our Facebook, Twitter and Linked in accounts, but for these more visual posts you can follow @eastduncouncil on Instagram and give us a like!
Provost Launches Instagram Account
Provost Gillian Renwick has also launched the Civic Office Instagram account where you can follow her and Depute Provost Colette McDiarmid as they carry out their civic duties. As part of their roles, the Provost and Depute Provost meet dignitaries and visitors to the area and host civic receptions and events. They also visit residents celebrating 100th birthdays, Golden and Diamond Wedding Anniversaries.
Read the full story on The Provost launching an Instagram account then follow @eastdunprovost on Instagram.
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….
Change to Opening Hours at Lennoxtown Library
New temporary opening hours will be in operation at Lennoxtown Library from this week. The changes - which are expected to run from 15 August to 7 November 2022 - will see the library close at the earlier time of 5pm on a Wednesday, and shut between 12.30-1.30pm Tuesday to Friday. The amended opening hours are only temporary whilst recruitment is carried out for new library staff.
Remember, EDLC digital library and cultural resources which can be accessed any time by visiting the EDLC website.
If you haven’t already, you can apply for membership.
Doors Open Day Returns
After a two year enforced break, Doors Open Day is returning to East Dunbartonshire on Saturday 10 September. Venues include the Fort Theatre in Bishopbriggs and Clober Farm in Milngavie and there’s a heritage walk taking in 15 iconic buildings in Kirkintilloch. Read our news release for full details of all that is on offer on Doors Open Day.
Dates for your Diary
17 August Pupils return to school
19 August First day of school at the new Boclair Academy
10 September World Suicide Prevention Day
10 September Doors Open Day East Dunbartonshire
22 September Next Full Council meeting (Hybrid format)
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 at the end of the month, week beginning Monday 29 August.
Ann