Thursday 20 October 2022
Dear All
Welcome to this latest edition of our fortnightly Depute Chief Executive Update. As always, I hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well.
The highlight of last week for me was the official opening of our new Boclair Academy in Bearsden. As a former pupil and parent at the school, it was a huge privilege for me to be involved in proceedings in what was a fantastic evening. Provost Renwick performed the official duty of unveiling the plaque to mark the occasion with support from two of the school’s Captains, and the audience, which included councillors, the parent and pupil councils of the school and representatives from all the council teams and all of the contractors who played a part in delivering the state of the art facility, were treated to brilliant performances from the very talented musician and choirs from the school. You can read more in the news updates below but I’d like to again express huge thanks to all those involved in delivering this great new school and of course to all those involved in organising such a fantastic event to mark its official opening.
The launch of our new Menopause Policy on World Menopause Day earlier this week is a great development and again, you can read more detail in the news roundup below and in Employee News 23 which was issued on Tuesday.
Now, on with our regular updates:
News from the Council….
Launch of our Menopause
Earlier this week was World Menopause Day (Tuesday 18 October) and much has been done in recent years to raise awareness of the Menopause and provide support to those and their families going through this life stage. You’ll have seen from Employee News 24 issued on Tuesday,that we have launched our new Menopause Policy. Our aim through this important Policy is to help create an environment where employees feel confident enough to raise issues about their symptoms, seek support and ask for adjustments at work to be considered.
Official Opening of fantastic new Boclair Academy
As I mentioned in the introduction to this edition, the official opening of Boclair Academy was held last week. Provost Renwick performed the official opening with two of the school’s captains and the event was attended by councillors, the parent council and pupil council, school staff and pupils and representatives from all the council teams and contractors involved in delivering this fantastic facility. There were tours of the school and refreshments prepared and served by school pupils on what was a fantastic evening. You can read more in our news release on the event and hear the Provost’s thoughts in a video on her Instagram account.
Revamp of popular Strathkelvin Railway Path
A 4.5km stretch of the popular Strathkelvin Railway path, between Kirkintilloch to Lennoxtown, has been resurfaced making it an ideal route to cycle, run, walk or scoot. The project received funding from Transport Scotland and SPT and is a great local route for residents and visitors – forming part of the National cycle Network, the John Muir Way and the Thomas Muir Heritage Trail. Read more in our news release.
Kirkin of the Council
The Kirkin of the Council is a traditional service of dedication when a new council is elected, and this year St Mary’s Parish Church in Kirkintilloch was the venue. The service was held on Sunday 9 October and Provost Gillian Renwick welcomed councillors and invited guests to the dedication. You can read more and see pictures of the occasion on our news page.
Building a career in construction
With so many great facilities being built by the Council throughout the area, a career in construction is definitely one to consider. Last term a total of 28 S2 pupils from Douglas Academy in Milngavie took part in a dedicated programme exploring careers in the construction sector. Over the course of eight weeks pupils gained an insight in to the design and construction process, hearing from experts in a range of relevant disciplines including architecture, town planning, building and project management. You can read more on this great initiative in the news section of the website.
Show Racism the Red Card
East Dunbartonshire’s best-known buildings will be lit up red in support of the charity Show Racism the Red Card. The Council is backing the anti-racism ‘Wear Red Day’ tomorrow (Friday 21 October) by illuminating Community Hubs in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch, and Milngavie Town Hall. Council employees are also being encouraged to wear something red tomorrow (Friday). Check out our news page for full info.
Healthy Working Lives (HWL) news for October….
The October 2022 Healthy Working Lives Update is in the Employee Zone of the website with news of the campaigns that are taking place throughout the month, including links to helpful related information.
A number of health and wellbeing campaigns run throughout the whole of October and remain relevant for this edition, including:
- 1-28 October Stoptober 28 day stop smoking campaign
- 1-31 October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- 1-31 October Cholesterol Awareness Month
Visit the October 2022 tab on our dedicated Healthy Working Lives webpage for full details of these and all the other campaigns that have been running this month.
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.
Dates for your Diary…
- 18 October World Menopause Day
- 24 October East Dunbartonshire Schools return after October Week Holiday
- 5 November Bonfire Night – remember Bonfire and Firework safety
- 11 November Remembrance Day – two minute silence at 11am
- 13 November Remembrance Sunday – events throughout the area
And finally...
As always, my continued thanks to you all – stay safe and keep well.
As usual, the next edition of this Depute Chief Executive Update, will be in a fortnight’s time, week beginning 31 October. Have a fabulous break if you are having time off this week for the schools’ October week holiday, and I’ll be back again with the latest roundup in a fortnight.
Ann