Dear all,
I hope everyone is well and for those who are taking some time off over Easter, I hope you are looking forward to a well-deserved break. For those delivering our essential services over the public holidays, thank you as ever for ensuring our residents continue to receive the support they need.
As outlined in Employee News 07, our Council budget was agreed on Thursday 5 March and we have already started to plan the implementation of many of the agreed budget proposals. Whilst there are a range of savings that have helped us to bridge the budget gap, our budget also includes significant investment across the area, including capital projects and further investment in our school estate.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their understanding, support and hard work as we developed these proposals – allowing Council to set a balanced budget for the year ahead.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve reopened Bearsden Community Hub and handed over the keys to the newly refurbished Campsie Memorial Hall in Lennoxtown to the Campsie Memorial Hall Trust. The Trust will be organising a range of events so that local residents can enjoy the fantastic, upgraded hall and we will have an official event after the Scottish Parliamentary elections. Thank you and well done to everyone involved in the completion of both projects.
I would also like to congratulate the staff and pupils at Millersneuk Primary School in Lenzie who received a glowing report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education. A big well done to you all!
City Deal projects continue to progress
Significant external funding has been secured to improve Bishopbriggs town centre and to unlock economic opportunities for East Dunbartonshire.
A meeting of the Glasgow City Region Chief Executives' Group recently greenlit two projects:
- The Westerhill Development Road – 2km of new/upgraded road in Bishopbriggs, which aims to unlock key business sites, create jobs, boost transport links and reduce congestion
- A new Civic Space in Bishopbriggs town centre – a family-friendly focal point for people of all ages to enjoy a variety of events, socialise and relax, while supporting local traders, services, employment and regeneration.
Find out more by reading our latest news release on the City Deal projects.
Bring sites decommissioned
The budget meeting in March approved the proposal to decommission the seven existing ‘bring sites’ in East Dunbartonshire, both as a way to tackle issues of fly-tipping and littering, and to save money. Removing the bring sites will save the Council around £43,000 a year and removal will begin next week. Residents can still recycle directly from their homes or they can book a slot at Mavis Valley.
Visit the news release for more information on the decommissioning of the bring sites.
Monthly Wellbeing Focus
As usual, our Monthly Wellbeing Focus is updated each month with key campaigns and details of support all employees can access.
And finally….
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend and time off if you’re taking any. If you are looking for fun things to do, there are lots of activities and events taking place in East Dunbartonshire during the school holidays including the EDLC Easter programme and Mugdock Country Park. And if you visit Mugdock anytime soon, you may get a glimpse of some red squirrels and pine martens. Watch the return of Red Squirrels to Mugdock Country Park video to find out the best places to spot them!
Thanks,
Ann
