Welcome to this latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update.
With the clocks going back at the weekend, dark mornings and evenings are now upon us. Bonfire Night is this Sunday, and our Community Protection teams have been working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland on our joint Bonfire/Fireworks protocol ensuring that our communities stay safe. If you are going out to enjoy some fireworks or holding an informal event essential information has been published by the SFRS.
As Employee News 32 outlined, there is still time to complete the YOUR Budget Priorities consultation. The findings will inform the Council’s budget decisions in February so please take five minutes to fill it out.
As many of you will be aware, we are now progressing with Phase 1 of Oracle Fusion with will see the Council replace all Finance and Procurement Systems. This includes Oracle EBS, iProc and Ash Debtors. If you are a current user of these systems, please make sure you have been in touch with Procurement with the information they need before the system shutdown is in place. You can find all the information as well as the spreadsheet that should be completed on the Employee Zone. There are also Oracle Champions in each relevant service so please make sure you know who this is as they can keep you updated and pass on any queries to the project team.
Remembrance Day events will be held across East Dunbartonshire on Sunday 12 November once again this year. Details on each service will be found on the Remembrance Day webpage which will be updated in the coming days with this year’s information.
Now to our regular news round-up….
News from the Council….
Scottish Youth Parliament Elections
Young people in East Dunbartonshire will soon be able to cast their votes to elect their next Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Between 6 and 19 November, young people aged 12 – 25 years can vote online using their Young Scot Card.
We have some fantastic candidates in East Dunbartonshire – take a look at their profiles.
Standing in Milngavie and Clydebank:
And in Strathkelvin and Bearsden:
If you are within the eligible age range or you have young people living at home who are able to vote you can find out more about the voting process on the website at SYP Elections 2023 - Scottish Youth Parliament
School Registration opens tomorrow
If you are a parent/carer of children due to start Primary 1 in August 2024 or transfer from Primary 7 to Secondary school, the new registration period opens tomorrow (1 November) and runs until 30 November. You need to register for your catchment school during this period. You can read more about the registration process on the website and also the secondary registration process Secondary school registration | East Dunbartonshire Council. Please note that placing request applications for those who do not live in the catchment area of a school can't be made until January 2024 for the August 2024 session. You should register for your catchment school in the first instance.
Have you logged into Moodle?
As outlined in Employee News 31, more courses have now been added to the new online learning platform for all corporate users – Moodle Workplace.
Fresh topics include:
- Resilience
- Menopause
- Mental Health
- Life Balance
- Driver Safety
- Health & Safety
- Workplace Skills.
You can log on via EDC Apps. Once the page is open, leave your username and password blank and press the Microsoft button to log on (below the words ‘LOG IN USING YOUR ACCOUNT ON’). More courses will continue to be added on a regular basis so please keep an eye out.
East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader
Do you know a reliable, reputable local trader or business? Why not encourage them to sign up for the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme?
The initiative, launched recently by the Council and local partners, aims to:
- Increase consumer confidence
- Promote good practice within local businesses
- Protect residents from doorstep crime
- Help generate custom for local companies.
A range of traders have already signed up. If you're planning improvements or need repairs carried out, you can search for a trusted business via your postcode. Visit the Trusted Trader website for more info.
News from the Trust….
Christmas Magic at Kilmardinny House
As we get even closer to the festive season, a reminder that a touch of Christmas magic is coming to Kilmardinny House this December when Charles Dickens’ famous tale is brought to the stage, courtesy of No Nonsense Productions. A Christmas Carol; A Radio Play on Stage is an adaptation of the festive favourite and Kilmardinny House in Bearsden will play host to two shows - a matinee and an evening performance – on Saturday 16 December. To find out more about the show, read the media release and to book your tickets, visit the Booking page.
News on Health & Wellbeing….
Employee Assistance Programme
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
- Time for Talking website
- Live Web Chat: Accessed via website. Password: TfTnow (case sensitive)
Employee Wellbeing
Our Wellbeing page of the Employee Zone also 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.
And Finally….
Could you be a Mentor?
The Council is working with MCR Pathways to deliver a life-changing mentoring programme to help local young people, including those who are care-experienced, build aspirations and fulfil their potential. Read all about the new partnership in the news section of the website.
Would you like to become a volunteer mentor and make a difference in the lives of young people who need someone to chat with, listen to them, and encourage them? MCR pathways is hosting two virtual information sessions where you can find out more.
You can register your interest by clicking on the links:
MCR Pathways- Information Session- 6/11/23- 4pm- 4.45pm
MCR Pathways- Information Session 13/11/23 @9.30-10.15am
Dates for your diary….
1 - 31 October Black History Month
1 – 31 October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
5 November Bonfire Night
11 November Remembrance Day
I’ll be back with my next update in a fortnight’s time on Tuesday 14 November.
Thanks
Ann