Depute Chief Executive's Update: Issue 15/2023

Welcome to this latest edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update.

I’m sure you won’t thank me for this, but it’s now less than six weeks until Christmas! This means that the festive season is fast approaching. You can find news below on A Christmas Carol at Kilmardinny House and the launch of the popular annual Christmas exhibitions held in the Lillie Art Gallery and Auld Kirk Museum.

We are now analysing the responses to the YOUR Budget Priorities consultation which will inform the next Council budget announced in February. I’m pleased to say we had over 1,000 responses – thank you if you got involved and completed the survey.

The Household Support Payment, which was announced as part of the Council’s cost-of-living measures, was launched at the start of this month and you can find information on this on the Council’s website.

Finally, I would like to say thank you and good luck to Vince McNulty from our former senior management team, who finishes up at the end of next week. Wishing you all the best for the future, Vince!

Now onto our regular updates.

News from the Council….

Lenzie Academy announcement is first class

News that Lenzie Academy is to receive Scottish Government funding for a new build school has been warmly welcomed. The Council’s successful funding bid to phase 3 of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme fund was announced last week. Work now begins to develop a project plan and timeline to deliver this new learning facility in Lenzie, with a target completion date to open to pupils no later than December 2027. For more information, visit the News section of our website.

Funder Fair is opportunity for local groups to tap into precious funding pots
If you know of a community group, charity or social enterprise in need of funding then please spread the word about the upcoming Funder Fair – this Saturday 18 November 2023 from 10am-2pm in the Kirkintilloch Campus, New College Lanarkshire, 50 Southbank Road, Kirkintilloch G66 1NH. It's a FREE event bringing groups and funders together under one roof and offering training workshops. Check out the news story for more.

HSCP Budget Consultation
Consultation on the East Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) budget was launched earlier this month and you are invited to take part by completing an online survey. The consultation gives people in East Dunbartonshire the opportunity to have their say on the HSCP's budget principles ahead of next year's budget being set. Read the background in this news story then click through to the survey.

Launch of Traffic Free Schools
A Traffic-Free Schools pilot scheme that aims to increase child and pedestrian safety will begin at four East Dunbartonshire schools next Monday, November 20. Traffic-Free Schools is an initiative where driving is prohibited on sections of road immediately outside the entrance to schools, for a short period of time at the start and end of the school day. Three locations have been selected for the pilot – Clober Primary School in Milngavie, Craighead Primary School in Milton of Campsie, and the shared St Matthew’s and Wester Cleddens Primary School campus in Bishopbriggs. Read all about the year-long pilot on our website.

News from the Trust….

Christmas Magic at Kilmardinny House

There's still time to bag tickets for a top-notch Christmas show in the heart of East Dunbartonshire. No Nonsense Productions – the team behind the sell-out Para Handy at Kirkintilloch Town Hall in 2019 – is bringing a touch of Christmas magic to Kilmardinny House in Bearsden this December. Their production, A Christmas Carol; A Radio Play on Stage, is an adaptation of the festive favourite and includes an original score. Read all about it via the News section of our website. There are two shows – a matinee and an evening performance – on Saturday 16 December so get the gang together and get your tickets via the Booking page [opens in a new window].

Thrilling fun for the festive season

** Please note - tickets are now sold out, but keep an eye on social media for future events. **

Aspiring Sherlocks and trainee Taggarts are being invited to put their sleuthing skills to the test at a festive 'Murder Mystery Night' in Kirkintilloch. East Dunbartonshire libraries are getting ready to open their doors after hours for a series of special events - beginning on Friday 1 December with 'Murder Mystery Night: The Body in the Library' at William Patrick Library.

Yule be sure of a warm welcome...

Christmas exhibitions are underway at the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie and the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch. The Lillie celebration has a selection of paintings, prints, ceramics, and glass and wood crafts on show, as well as a range of unique gift ideas. Meanwhile, the Auld Kirk Museum is offering an interesting range of handmade artwork, jewellery, ceramics, soaps, candles, woodwork, and glass and textile crafts – including a selection box of potential gift ideas. The exhibitions are being held until 20 December. For more info, check out the media releases for both the Lillie and the Auld Kirk.

Focus on festive films and blockbusters

Lights, camera, Christmas – Kirky Picture Palace has unveiled the films on offer in the coming weeks after a triumphant return to its original home. Cinematic magic is back at Kirkintilloch Town Hall, courtesy of Your Kirky – supported by EDLC Trust. As well as screenings of the latest blockbusters and festive favourites, there will be special dementia-friendly and baby-friendly events too. Visit the News section of our website for details.

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 [opens in a new window]
• 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….

Dates for your diary….

I’ll be back with my next update in a fortnight’s time on Tuesday 28 November.

Thanks

Ann