Dear all,
I wanted to take this opportunity to confirm that at last night’s Council meeting our budget for 2025/2026 was agreed.
The challenging financial landscape has meant setting a balanced budget is becoming increasingly more difficult as our funding gap continues to rise.
Last night it was agreed that Council Tax will rise by 13% and a range of savings and income generating opportunities were identified and approved.
Our budget protects vital local services and ensures a significant investment across the area, including commitments to progress both Westerton and Balmuildy Primary school projects, and major upgrades and refurbishments to sports pavilions, pitches and Campsie Memorial Hall.
The range of management and operational efficiencies that have been in place since April 2023 have made a significant contribution in reducing the financial gap and we will continue to carry out effective vacancy management including reviewing vacancies across all Council services.
I would like to thank everyone for their hard work, patience and understanding to help us get to this place to date. The fantastic work carried out by you all to help us reduce our spending without impacting on our frontline delivery is truly appreciated.
I would encourage you to have a read over the budget papers which you can find on our Modern Gov Site.
The planned organisational and service reform outlined in our papers will require changes to the workforce. Our ‘Organisation & Workforce of the Future’ strategy will reflect the revised organisation, while the range of working styles we have already adopted will continue. We will also be progressing with our Accommodation strategy which will involve a further rationalisation of our office base.
Our well-established ‘Principles of Change’ Framework will be adhered to and will form the basis of our approach to any planned workforce change. We are fully committed to this Framework and will ensure regular and ongoing engagement, consultation and where appropriate, negotiation with our Trade Union colleagues throughout this process.
I understand that many of you may have concerns reading this, but I want to reassure you that wherever possible change will continue to be achieved through voluntary means.
I want to once again express my thanks and gratitude to you all for the essential and hard work you carry out each day for the people of East Dunbartonshire. Our budget was prepared in such a way to not only deliver the best possible services, but to also protect our workforce which we are fully committed to.
If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to speak to your Line Manager, Executive Officer and/or HR Business Partner. Meanwhile regular communication will be issued as we move through any workforce change.
Thanks,
Ann
