Chief Executive's Update: Issue 13/2025

Dear all, 

The darker nights are now in reminding us that 2025 is quickly coming to an end. Since my last update there has been plenty going on and I know all of you and your teams are working hard to achieve targets and deliver our services. 

We’ve held our annual Remembrance event, officially opened the fantastic Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre, and continue to progress the refurbishment of Milngavie Primary School. We’ve also held public events for the Lenzie Academy rebuild and work continues on the headstone and memorial safety inspection programme. As ever a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to these and more – it really is appreciated and valued.

Our latest Leadership Forum which brings togethers all Managers and Team Leaders from across the Council was a couple of weeks ago and it had a packed agenda. Managers will have hopefully passed on the important information to their teams, but I’ve highlighted below some of the main talking points. 

You should now be aware that we are in the process of replacing our iTrent HR & Payroll system with the Oracle Fusion Human Capital Management (HCM) system.

This will bring a number of benefits to all of the workforce as it’s more user friendly, more efficient, and easier to access at work or at home. Access to the new system will be rolled out in a phased manner. In the first instance, all those with access to iTrent will be provided with the same level of access to the new system in February 2026. Later during 2026 additional functionality of the system will be rolled out as will the approach to providing access to the system for our non-networked, frontline workforce.

An Oracle Fusion HCM page on the Employee Zone has been created where all the information you may need will be published. This includes Frequently Asked Questions, which we will continue to add to as queries arise. 

It is critical that we are all cyber security aware – both at home and in our workplaces. Having a secure password and noticing the signs of a phishing email are essential. There are cyber security training modules on Moodle which everyone should complete as soon as they can. 

As outlined in Employee News 26, we have signed up to this important programme, working to ensure there is equality in our workplace. The programme provides access to essential tools, knowledge and activities and will provide us with a framework to ensure women working for us who have experienced gender-based violence or inequality, always feel supported. Further communications, including a survey by Close the Gap who facilitate the programme, will be issued over the next few weeks. 

White Ribbon Scotland is a charity that aims to empower and encourage men and boys across Scotland to challenge attitudes, behaviours and cultures that contribute to violence against women and girls and gender inequality. The East Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership – formerly known as Empowered – has been exploring how we can get involved with White Ribbon. Our Trade Union representatives within the partnership are leading on this initiative and are keen for Council employees to sign the White Ribbon pledge. This is a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms. Further communications on this will be issued as the work progresses and you may see Union representatives in our workplaces over the next few months to let you know more about the pledge and the charity. 

Our budget for 2026/2027 will be decided in March 2026 and we want to ensure that any budget proposal addresses the issues that our residents, businesses and workforce feel most strongly about. As we prepare to set our Budget for 2026/2027, we continue to face a significant funding gap. 

All Local Authorities are having to deal with increasing costs including prices for energy, fuel and material, increasing National Insurance contributions and a real time decrease in funding. Councils are legally required to set a balanced budget, meaning we must find ways to make savings or increase our income. 

In this Budget consultation survey, we are seeking your views, especially those of you who live in East Dunbartonshire, on what is most important to you.  

There are still places available for the Financial Awareness sessions organised for this month. The sessions focus on providing valuable and helpful information to potentially assist with future financial decisions and money management. You can find out more information on the Employee Zone. 

As usual, our Monthly Wellbeing Focus is updated each month with key campaigns and details of support all employees can access.