Welcome to this edition of our Depute Chief Executive Update. The festive season is most definitely upon us now, with our town centres looking lovely lit up in lights and the shops packed with Christmas gifts and decorations!
As is tradition, the Provost has now launched her Christmas appeal and is once again asking for donations for the local foodbank. You’ll see bins located in our offices and depots and any donation, however small, will be very welcome. The donations will be collected on Thursday 14 December and will be getting dropped off to the foodbank to support local families throughout Christmas and New Year.
Council and EDLC staff can now enjoy A Christmas Carol at Kilmardinny House for the price of a concession ticket – you can find details of this fantastic offer below.
In Employee News 35 we let you know that Greg Bremner had been appointed Chief Education Officer which means we now have all our Executive Officers in place within our Strategic Leadership team.
Finally, we set out the dates for the implementation of the new rates and associated back pay for the Pay Award 2023 in Employee News 34, please ensure you have read this if you haven’t already.
Now onto our usual roundup of updates.
News from the Council….
Schools Christmas Gala Concert is back
Do you want to get in the Christmas spirit & enjoy an evening of pure joy? Get along to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for our Schools' Christmas Gala Concert on Monday 4 December at 7.30pm. The show features singers & musicians from our primary, secondary & ASN schools. It'll be musical magic so don't miss out. Read this news story for more about the concert and how to get tickets.
Community Groups could net funding boost by securing a Community Grant
Bowlers, Brownies, tennis players, pipers and people young and old – a range of local groups have secured funding from the Council's Community Grants Scheme … and your organisation could be next. Applications for the latest round of funding are being accepted until 22 December 2023. This funding, a combination of money from the Council and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, means grants ranging up to £10,000 are available to help groups bring projects to life and make a real difference in their communities. Visit the news section of our website to find out more.
Businesses put in a BID for future of Kirkintilloch Town Centre
Businesses in Kirkintilloch have voted to work collectively in a BID to boost the town centre. A ballot was held recently to decide whether to create a Business Improvement District (BID) in Kirkintilloch town centre, with the result declared on 10 November 2023 by East Dunbartonshire Council's Chief Executive, Gerry Cornes.
More than 81% of the votes cast were in favour of the proposal and work will now take place, supported by the Council, to ensure the Kirkintilloch BID is established as an operational, not-for-profit, limited liability company. The goal is to enhance the town centre by providing a dedicated voice for local business issues and a programme of initiatives and events. Read our news release for more information.
Still time to have your say – HSCP’s Budget consultation
Residents in East Dunbartonshire are being urged to have their say on the budget principles for East Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to help determine next year’s budget. As with other public sector organisations, the HSCP is under extreme financial pressures and is expected to make savings of £4.1m to £4.5m each year for the next five years (a cumulative total of £17.2m), although detailed work for 2024/25 indicates the financial challenge will be in the region of £7.4m. Have your say before 1 December.
Deferring entry to Primary 1
If your child is due to start Primary School in August 2024 and you are thinking about deferring entry, remember that you may qualify for an additional funded year of Early learning and Childcare. The latest information and handy FAQs are on the website now. A deferred entry application must be completed by Wed 31 January 2024.
News from the Trust….
Still time to bag tickets for festive favourite show
Now Council staff can share the laughter, enjoy the drama and experience the feel-good factor of a top-notch performance of Dickens’ famous tale, complete with original music – all for the price of a concession ticket! A Christmas Carol; A Radio Play on Stage is coming to Kilmardinny House courtesy of No Nonsense Productions, who were behind the sell-out performance of Para Handy at Kirkintilloch Town Hall in 2019. The show is an adaptation of the festive favourite and Bearsden’s striking Georgian venue, Kilmardinny House, will host a matinee and an evening performance on Saturday 16 December. All Council and EDLC staff are eligible for a concession ticket that you can get buy from Eventbrite.
*Please note, please bring along proof that you’re a member of staff for the front of house staff.
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….
Dates for your diary….
25 November to 10 December 16 Days of Action against gender-based violence
1 December: World Aids Day
3 December : International Day of Persons with Disabilities
I’ll be back with my last update of 2023 in a fortnight’s time.
Thanks
Ann