Dear All
Welcome to this final edition of our fortnightly Depute Chief Executive Update for 2022. As always, I hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well.
This year has flown by and I’d like to start this edition with a huge thank you for all your efforts over the past year in delivering our invaluable services to the communities of East Dunbartonshire. I hope that those of you taking time off enjoy your break and particular thanks go out to all of you who will be continuing to deliver our vital frontline services throughout the festive period.
Our final Council meeting of 2022 took place last Thursday (15 December). Of particular interest, was the report outlining our approach for a network of defibrillators on our Council owned or managed buildings. You can read more about it in our news release and we’ll provide further information on the locations and timescales for installation following the consultation with key stakeholders which will take place in the New Year.
Now, on with our regular roundup of news:
News from the Council….
Consultation on improving infrastructure for electric vehicles
The Glasgow City Deal is carrying out a consultation seeking views on improving the infrastructure for electric vehicles across all eight of its member councils. To have your say, you can visit our consultation news release which provides further information and a link to the survey.
Success in combatting fraud
Our Corporate Fraud Team has investigated 92 reports of fraudulent activity in the first six months of 2022/23. The team is committed to identifying and stopping any fraudulent activity to protect the public purse and ensure that public money legitimately goes to those that need it. You can read more on their activity in the news section of the website, following a report to the recent Audit and Risk Committee.
Employee Wellbeing News….
Employee Assistance
Whilst the festive period is a time for celebration, it can also be a challenging time for some. 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.
Healthy Working Lives
Our Healthy Working Lives updates for both December and January are now published in the Healthy Working Lives section of the Employee Zone. Love Your Liver and Dry January campaigns run from 1-31 January for those interested in taking a break from alcohol with an opportunity to raise money for charity in doing so. Visit the January tab on Healthy Working Lives page for more details.
Employee Wellbeing
The Wellbeing page of the Employee Zone has a wealth 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.
Festive News….
Reminder - changes to Council services this Christmas
Remember you can check out the changes to essential Council services over the holiday season on our website.
Our Festive information and changes to services | East Dunbartonshire Council web page has a full list of service changes and other important information including Customer Service opening times.
Council Christmas Card
The Provost’s annual competition to design the Council’s Christmas card was won by Eilidh from Holy Family Primary School this year. You can see her festive design and the two runners up on our Christmas Card page on the website.
Christmas Card and Christmas Tree recycling
The ‘big day’ is less than a week away now, but don’t forget that when it is time to take the decorations down you can recycle your real Christmas tree and Christmas cards. Full details are included in the ‘bins and recycling’ tab of our Festive Information page of the website.
Dates for your Diary…
22 December East Dunbartonshire Schools close for holidays
4 January Return to work following Christmas & New Year shut-down
9 January East Dunbartonshire schools return for new term
22 January Chinese New Year 2023
25 January Burns Night
And finally….
The next edition of this Depute Chief Executive Update will be week beginning 16 January 2023. Until then, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your families and loved ones.
Ann