keeping you informed
Fun filled days for kids and dads APRIL 15
welcome contents Don’t lose your right to vote Blue Badge abuse East Ayrshire Community Plan New Council management structure “Little Things” mean a lot Health and Social Care…the way forward Volunteer network launch Fun filled days for kids and dads Play Space Toolkit New website for internal and external vacancies New MEND programme Basketball finals Darvel Music Festival Employee news General waste collection changes Help to save energy Project Search Theatre and Arts programme Woodland Therapy Celebrating the Legacy New road safety app launched Safely does it A child’s journey into permanence
Welcome to the April issue of Ewords, where you will find information on the launch of East Ayrshire’s Community Plan, details of the new Volunteer Framework and lots of updates on project successes, events and achievements. It’s your newsletter and if you have news to share with your colleagues, please get in touch – the next issue will be out July/August. Email: communications.pr@eastayrshire.gov.uk
3 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 18
Interns break new ground as East Ayrshire seeks more graduates Three interns joined the Council this year, as part of a new initiative designed to give graduates their first steps into employment. Ten posts have been created, designed for those who have already completed their college or university study and offer specific supervised projects aimed at maximising experience and developing workplace skills.
new Learning Management System and developing content for the new Learning Academy website. Danny Cox, 22, is busy settling in to his internship aiding the development of the new Facilities Management web pages dealing with School Meals and Transport.
is a former pupil of Stewarton Academy, graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2014 with a BA Hons Degree in Social Sciences.
Scott Hamilton, from Newmilns, an accountancy graduate and former pupil of Loudoun Academy, gave up a career in the family joinery business to return to study aged 26. Scott will be spending his year supporting Martin McDougall and Mhairi Mayes in the Organisational Development section of East Ayrshire Council. Much of his work involves migrating records to the Council’s
A former James Hamilton Academy pupil, Danny was always interested in computers and did an HND in Computer Technical Support at Langside College. Kevin Mills joined the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership team in December 2014. He lives in Kilmaurs,
APRIL 15
The internships are open to anyone holding a relevant HNC, HND or Degree. Seven of the posts remain to be filled and anyone who is interested in applying can view the adverts at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk. Applications are sought for jobs in land surveying, computing, telecoms and networks, research, administration, and business administration. Successful candidates will be offered a year-long internship on the living wage.
ewords 2 keeping you informed
Don’t lose your right to vote It’s not long now until the UK Parliamentary Election, and residents of East Ayrshire are being reminded to make sure they can vote on Thursday 7 May. Helen McPhee, Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer for Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board is encouraging people to ensure they are registered to vote in time for the elections. She said: “You must be on the electoral register to have your say in the election. You should by now have received a letter confirming who is registered to vote at your address. If not, call the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board on 01292 612221. Anyone who has recently moved to the area, or moved house, should register at their new address.
On 7th May, it’s YOUR vote: don’t lose it…
“It only takes a few minutes to register but you must do so by Monday 20 April. Even if you will be away on holiday, or think you might be caught up in work, you can still have your say by applying to vote by post or proxy. Registration and postal vote and proxy forms are all available by calling 01292 612221 or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.” And a new voter registration app makes it easier to exercise your rights in the political process by registering to vote, especially for young voters. It’s simple – no ink, no stamps. Just download the free app to get your name on the electoral register and have an impact in your local area. For iPhones download from the Apple iTunes store: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ayrshire-voter-registration/id973122952?mt=8 For Android download from the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moderndemocracy. voterengagement.ayrshire&hl=en_GB
Deadline for registration applications: Monday 20th April 2015 Deadline for postal/proxy vote applications: 5.00pm on Tuesday 21st April 2015
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Blue Badge abuse clampdown ahead of legislation change Drivers and passengers who abuse the Blue Badge scheme could have their badges confiscated through new legislation which came into force at the end of March. The Blue Badge scheme provides an essential service for disabled people allowing access to parking bays which are normally closer to work, shops and other community services. This parking access often makes the difference as to whether people with mobility problems live their lives as fully as they can. Abuse of the scheme makes it difficult for people with mobility issues to access shops, businesses and local amenities and reduces the number of on-street disabled parking bays and onstreet parking spaces available for use by genuine Blue Badges holders. The new laws will make people think twice before misusing the badges and it could lead to the badge being confiscated. We’ll be doing our bit to stamp out the misuse through our Parking Enforcement Officers. For more information on Blue Badges and the rules and regulations around their use, please visit www.bluebadgescotland.org
APRIL 15
ewords 3 keeping you informed
EAST AYRSHIRE COMMUNITY PLAN OUR CORPORATE PLAN Our new fifteen year Community Plan 2015-2030 was launched by the Community Planning Partnership Board on 19 March 2015. The Community Plan is the sovereign and overarching planning document for the East Ayrshire area, providing the strategic policy framework for the delivery of public services by all the Partners and sets out the overall Vision for the area as follows:
“East Ayrshire is a place with strong, safe and vibrant communities where everyone has a good quality of life and access to opportunities, choices and high quality services which are sustainable, accessible and meet people’s needs.” Delivering Our Vision The Community Plan is also the Council’s Corporate Plan and we all have a role to play in delivering the Vision for the East Ayrshire area. From April 2015, the Council’s management structure changed to reflect the main themes identified in the Community Plan. See next page for more information on these changes. All Council strategies and plans must align to the Community Plan, ensuring that the mainstream activity detailed within the three Community Plan Delivery Plans and Service Improvement Plans is directed at achieving agreed local outcomes and contributes to the Vision for East Ayrshire. Our Transformation Strategy continues to act as the main vehicle for ensuring we provide effective services, while meeting the financial challenges we face, and this is also aligned to the priorities and local outcomes within the Community Plan.
Community Plan The Community Plan has a three yearly review process built into the planning cycle. The Single Outcome Agreement underpins the Community Plan and provides the local performance management framework, which we use to assess and improve performance and ensure effective links to the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes.
APRIL 15
Delivery Plans Wide ranging and robust engagement with communities, employees, Partners and other stakeholders in the development of the Community Plan has confirmed the following as the key priority areas: • Economy and Skills • Safer Communities • Wellbeing Through each of the three Delivery Plans, actions will be taken forward to make a significant impact and bring about real and positive change for local people and communities. Cross cutting elements of lifelong learning, tackling inequalities, and early intervention and prevention permeate through each of the Delivery Plans.
Strategic Priorities In addition, the Community Planning Partnership Board will focus on the three strategic priorities during 2015-2018 with the intention of seeing a demonstrable shift in performance. These are: • Giving our children the best start in life (tackling child poverty) • Youth employment • Alcohol and drugs
Multi-agency awareness/training events A series of multi-agency ‘Supporting our Managers’ sessions, led by the Community Planning Partnership Board during March and April 2015, provided an opportunity to support managers across the Partner agencies, with their respective teams, to ensure effective implementation of the new Community Plan and Delivery Plans; and contribute to the achievement of positive outcomes with and for communities across East Ayrshire. If you would like more information about the Community Plan, please contact Gwen Barker, Policy, Planning and Performance Manager (01563 554602). Further information on Community Planning in East Ayrshire is available on the Community Planning website at: www.eastayrshirecommunityplan.org.
ewords 4 keeping you informed
New CounciI management structure from April 2015 You will be aware that our new senior management structure changed from 1 April 2015.
Executive Management Team
From that date, the Council will be led by an Executive Management Team, chaired by the Chief Executive and comprising the two Depute Chief Executives, the Director of Health and Social Care, the Chief Governance Officer and the Policy, Planning and Performance Manager. The structural review was undertaken by the Chief Executive, as part of the Council’s Transformation Strategy and reflects the importance of the 15-year East Ayrshire Community Plan (2015-30), (details on the previous page) launched by the Community Planning Partnership in March this year. The Community Plan, which is also the Council’s corporate plan, provides the strategic policy framework for the delivery of public services in East Ayrshire by all the Partners and sets out the overall Vision for the area. All Council services, strategies and plans will align to the new Community Plan and our new structure closely reflects the key themes within the Community Plan which are:
Fiona Lees Chief Executive Alex McPhee Depute Chief Executive Strategic Lead Economy and Skills
• Economy and Skills • Safer Communities • Wellbeing The Depute Chief Executives and Director for Health and Social Care will take strategic responsibility for each theme.
Chris McAleavey Acting Depute Chief Executive Strategic Lead Safer Communities
Our new Services and respective Heads of Service are as follows: • Head of Education, Alan Ward • Head of Finance and ICT, Craig McArthur • Head of Planning and Economic Development, Michael Keane
Eddie Fraser Director of Health & Social Care Strategic Lead Wellbeing
• Acting Head of Housing and Communities, Gerry Darroch • Head of Roads, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Stewart Turner • Head of Facilities and Property Management, Andrew Kennedy • Head of Human Resources, Martin Rose • Head of Community Support, Kay Gilmour
David Mitchell Chief Governance Officer
• Head of Democratic Services, Bill Walkinshaw • Acting Head of Children and Families and Criminal Justice, Jim Lyon • Head of Community Health and Care Services, Annemargaret Black • Head of Primary Care and Out of Hours, Pamela Miliken The changes and streamlined structure mean we can maintain a strong focus on the priorities of the Community Plan, while continuing to deliver the best services for our residents.
APRIL 15
Gwen Barker Policy, Planning and Performance Manager
ewords 5 keeping you informed
Little things mean a lot It’s the ‘Little Things’ you can do when you foster a child that can make such a difference to their life that’s the theme of a Council campaign being run just now to highlight the need for more foster carers in East Ayrshire. The campaign focuses on the fact that you don’t need to own a big house to foster a child, you don’t need lots of money and you don’t even need to be married or in a relationship... it’s the little things that count. Reading children a bedtime story, taking them to the park, comforting them when they hurt themselves; it’s all these little things that can add up to bring about real and positive changes in a child’s life. We asked some people in the public eye to tell us the ‘little things’ they remember from their childhoods. Lorraine Kelly sent us the letter below about her beloved teddy, while Donald Trump sent us best wishes for the campaign and told us: “I can remember following my father around at his construction sites. It was very exciting to me, to sit on a tractor, to see the process, to watch and to hear him in action. I would listen to him on the phone, negotiating, and it’s not a surprise to me that I became an excellent negotiator!” If you or anyone you know might be interested in fostering a child, please call 0800 434 6633, text ‘info’ to 80039 or visit www.fosteringandadoption.org.uk.
little things It’s the little things that make a difference Fostering and adoption in East Ayrshire. Take the first step…
0800 434 6633
fosteringandadoption.org.uk
text ‘info’ to 80039 APRIL 15
ewords 6 keeping you informed
Health and Social Care Integration – the way forward
Volunteer Network launched in East Ayrshire Imagine being able to take a special day off to help another person, group or charity – without needing to book it off as flexi or annual leave.
Health and Social Care in Scotland is changing. From April 2015, community-based health and social care services for adults and children across East Ayrshire will be provided by the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, responsible for the commissioning, management and delivery of health and social care services. This major change will merge or integrate many NHS and Council functions, to improve the wellbeing of people who use health and social care services, particularly those whose needs are complex and require support from both health and social care services. The new partnership will continue to deliver high-quality, outcome focused services. A series of consultation events has been conducted to prepare the workforce for integration. Part of this included a Health and Social Care Seminar, which we hosted at the Grand Hall Complex, Kilmarnock, late in 2014. This brought together a wide range of multi-agency practitioners from across Ayrshire, including representatives from the Third Sector and Independent partner agencies. Eddie Fraser, Director of the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, gave the opening address. Guest speakers included Wendy Harrington, Policy Manager with Social Work Scotland and Stuart Gaw, Integrated Care and Enablement Manager, NHS Ayrshire and Arran. A series of workshops also took place giving delegates an opportunity to discuss different aspects of the integration agenda. Topics included: • Factors that Promote Integrated Working – from which shared (Health and Social Services) training opportunities was identified as a key theme. • Leadership within Integrated Services – positive working relationships were highlighted as the key to successful implementation across services and that leadership operates at all levels. • Parlez Vous Intergrationale – discussed culture differences across health and social care services and considered how the use of jargon and acronyms can impede effective communication. • Third Sector/Independent Partner Providers: Integrated Partners – which sought to identify existing good practice and the potential for more effective integrated working with Partner Provider agencies. Feedback from delegates on the day was extremely positive.
APRIL 15
That’s exactly what you can now do, thanks to our new Volunteer Framework, launched in March 2015. We recognise the positive impact volunteering has on our communities and as a result we have developed the framework to promote a range of volunteering opportunities across Council services and encourage elected members and employees to volunteer within East Ayrshire – as well as offering support to enhance the quality of experience for existing volunteers. A key part of the new framework is the Employer Supported Volunteering scheme which enables all employees to take a day’s special leave each year to volunteer locally. This could potentially represent 6000 days of volunteering and gives employees the opportunity to share their skills while improving connections with the local community. There may not be a financial reward for volunteers but there are many other rewards and benefits. It can be a powerful driver for positive change both personally and socially and can empower people to fulfil their potential, acquiring new skills and knowledge – allowing them to share their own experience with others, contributing to the vibrancy of their own community. For more information on opportunities and how to get involved, contact Lorraine Dick on 01563 576720 or email: Lorraine.dick@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
ewords 7 keeping you informed
Fun-filled day for kids and dads in Cumnock A fun-filled day was had by all at the first ever Vibrant Communities Menzone event in Cumnock, with 11 men and 16 kids turning up at the Town Hall to take part in a variety of activities from face painting to parachute games. The free event was designed specifically for male parents and carers, giving them a chance to spend quality time playing and having fun with the children they care for. Other activities provided on the day included a bouncy castle, giant games, badge making and arts and crafts to name a few. MEND, a family-based healthy weight programme for children, run by Vibrant Communities, treated all participants to healthy snacks. ASDA, Cumnock Playhouse and Visions sponsored the event by donating vouchers and items for the free goodie bags that were given out to all who attended. Building on this success, a new DUG Out club for men and their children has also been launched and runs every Saturday, 10.30am – 11.30am at Cumnock Town Hall.
If you would like to give your feedback on the Menzone event or for more information about the DUG Out club please email: Vibrantcommunities@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or post a message at: Facebook.com/eavibrantcommunities.
APRIL 15
ewords 8 keeping you informed
Toolkit for communities is child’s play A step-by-step toolkit, designed to inspire and support the communities of East Ayrshire to make the most of local play spaces has been launched by our Vibrant Communities, Play and Early Intervention Team. Play is vital for children’s healthy development and contributes to their quality of life, wellbeing, physical and social development.It also helps combat childhood obesity and promotes the benefits of spending time outdoors. The team has produced this document to inspire and support the communities within East Ayrshire to make positive changes to enrich local play spaces.
EAST AY
RSHIRE
COMM
To receive your copy of the Playspace Toolkit email vibrantcommunities@eastayrshire.gov.uk, visit the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ eavibrantcommunities or call: 01563 576321/576349.
APRIL 15
UNITY
TOOL
KIT
New website for internal and external vacancies We have moved to a new recruitment system and all future internal and external vacancies will be advertised on a separate website at:
www.mjsjobs.info You’ll need to set up an account to view and apply for a vacancy and this is done using your East Ayrshire or Ayrshire Roads Alliance email address. Employees who do not have a Council/ARA email address can still register by using their personal email address and their employee number. Their registration will have to be verified by HR, so please do this as soon as possible - and well before the closing date of any post that you might wish to apply for.
A guide to improv helping comm e play unities in their local are a
ewords 9 keeping you informed
East Ayrshire launches new MEND Teens
Basketball is a slam dunk
A new 10-week MEND Teens programme has recently been launched, with 10 young people aged from 14-19 years attending weekly sessions. MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It!) is a community, family-based programme for overweight and obese children and their families. It offers a variety of interactive workshops, together with an hour of activity and sessions including information, education and advice on fats and sugars, label reading, goal setting as well as more physical activities such as badminton, weightlifting, circuit classes, Body Attack, Pilates, Dance Fitness and Tai Chi. MEND Teens is part of our Healthy Powerful Communities project, funded through the Legacy element of the Big Lottery Fund and will help us continue our work to address childhood obesity. In partnership with Ayrshire College, once the young people have graduated from the MEND Teens programme there will be an opportunity to access the gym at the Townholm Campus, Monday to Friday – free of charge. This includes a gym induction and personal programme for each young person. For more information regarding the MEND Teens programme, contact: Lesley Fowler, Volunteer and Partner Development Officer on 01563 578660 or email Lesley.fowler@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Our Active Schools team recently held its annual sport pack basketball finals at Stewarton Leisure Centre with 64 pupils from local primary schools taking part. Auchinleck, St Andrews, Dalmellington, Nether Robertland, Greenmill, Hillhead, New Farm and Fenwick primary schools all took part and competed in heats to earn their place in the final. Targeted at pupils in primary 4 and primary 5 age groups, the competition was a great success with some superb basketball being played. The group games were very tight with Nether Robertland, St Andrews, Auchinleck and Dalmellington progressing to the semi-finals. From there, Auchinleck and Dalmellington emerged as finalists and played a competitive and close match - with Auchinleck emerging as winners. Nether Robertland took third place. Medals were presented by Councillor Eòghan MacColl and Basketball Development Officer, Chris Cleary. Both were very impressed with the event and enjoyed watching the matches with all children taking part enjoying themselves too.
Royal assent for healthy activities at Dumfries House Our Lifestyle Development, Older Adults and Wellbeing team has been working with Dumfries House and NHS staff to plan a 12-week programme of activity and healthy eating sessions, targeted at people with diabetes. The activities alternate between a walk around the grounds of Dumfries House and a circuitbased class in the recently opened gym. Cooking and healthy eating sessions are also delivered by the cooks and chefs there. The initiative has also received royal assent as four members of the team were lucky enough to meet HRH the Prince of Wales at Dumfries House recently as they worked to promote the initiative – and were delighted at the interest and support shown by His Royal Highness.
APRIL 15
ewords 10 keeping you informed
Up close and personal at Darvel music festival Thirteen fantastic international and national acts are all set to perform at the Darvel Music Festival this year – a series of jazz, rock and blues concerts running between 1 May and 10 July at Darvel Town Hall. The hugely popular three-part festival is now in its fourteenth year and has played host to over 250 acts – with 2015 looking like one of the best line-ups ever. The first weekend in May sees three great rock/blues concerts taking to the stage. The concert series will finish on a high on 10 July, when acclaimed soul/pop and rock vocalist Paul Carrack will perform with his eight piece band. He’s supported by soul/blues outfit Lights out by Nine – and 80s pop heart throb Owen Paul. Tickets are NOW on sale at Tickets Scotland, Glasgow, JH Donald, Kilmarnock, Anna’s Gift Store, Darvel and through the website at www.darvelmusicfestival.org.
1st May - 10th July
Friday 1 May The Heritage Blues Quintet, supported by Jo Harman.
@ DARVEL TOWN HALL, DOORS 7:00PM 2015 Concert Series
Saturday 2 May
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH...
British Blues All Stars, supported by TC & The Money Makers.
Sunday 3 May The David Grissom Band, supported by Sean Taylor. Jazz-rock and blues acts will feature in part two of the festival concert series.
Paul Carrack
Larry Carlton Quartet
The Heritage Blues Quintet
David Grissom Band
The British Blues All Stars
Hamilton Loomis
Friday 19 June Hamilton Loomis and the Larry McCray Band perform – an amazing double bill, featuring two of the best exponents of blues/soul and rhythm and blues.
Saturday 20 June Larry Carlton of Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell and Crusaders fame. The multi-Grammy award winner and 3rd best guitarist of all-time (as voted by readers of the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine) will make only his second appearance in Scotland in the past 35 years.
PLUS… JO HARMAN, LARRY McCRAY, NIGEL CLARK, TC & THE MONEYMAKERS, OWEN PAUL, LIGHTS OUT BY NINE AND SEAN TAYLOR
www.darvelmusicfestival.org /darvelmusicfestival
APRIL 15
@DarvelMusicFest
ewords 11 keeping you informed
Employee News… A fond farewell to Bernie
Retirals
One of the best known, friendliest and most helpful people in the Council has retired after 36 years working in local government. Council Officer Bernie Gribben has swapped civic duties for retirement and was the guest of honour at a special presentation where, amongst other gifts, he received a photobook containing snapshots from his long career.
Finance and Corporate Support Catriona Arter, Lillian Coles Sarah Collins, Alexander Dunsmuir, June Evans, Catherine Findlay, Bernie Gribben, Carol Hamilton, Janette Hood, Sandra Murphy, George Park, Alan Paterson, Margaret Pitt, Alex Reid, Allan Rodger, Alex Spence, Barbara Ann Stark, Carol Thomson, Lillian Turley.
Neighbourhood Services Patricia Aitken, William Anderson, Sandra Andersson, Thomas Campbell, Jamie Clarke, Gerald Docherty, Marilyn Fraser, Kathleen Hendry, Sylvia Hewitson, Elinda Hume, Alistair Kerr, Joseph Lampard, Charles Mallon, Pete McElroy, James McGowan, Elizabeth McMillan, Thomas McCullen, David Milligan, James Moffat, Elizabeth Morton, Lynn Piper, Alexander Torrance, Ann Williams.
Bernie was responsible for a range of duties including supervising the other Council Officers, civic and ceremonial duties, Committee meeting support, mail and courier services and caretaking duties at Council Headquarters. He started work in local government in 1979 in Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council’s Cleansing Department, transferring to the Chief Executive’s Department in 1987, where he worked tirelessly for the Council and gained a reputation for being affable, organised, dependable – and willing to help anyone in any way he could. You’ll be missed Bernie and we all wish you a long, happy, healthy and well-earned retirement.
Graham retires as Executive Director Also retiring this month was our Executive Director of Educational and Social Services, Graham Short.
Health and Social Care Charles Branley, Thomas Brentnall, Carolyn Cairns, Sheila Cardie, Mayanne Downes, Elaine Ferguson, Margaret Hair, Anne Kerr, Rita Johnstone, Thomas Lennox, Rosemary Martin, Mary McClue, Michael McGinn, Patrick McNaughton, Joan Pollock, Diane Rafferty, Ann Rundle,Teresa Strain, Tom Strawhorn.
Executive Director since 2006, Graham first started work as a logistics manager for RHM Foods, before he found his calling, becoming a teacher of geography, modern studies and guidance at Grange Academy in 1979 – where his retirement presentation was held.
Education David Anderson, John Boax, Moira Bolton, Loretta Brodie, Heather Colman, Agnes Fulton, William Gilmour Katherine Kiddell, Jayne Lamberton, Anne Martin, Helen McCulloch, Margaret McDougall, Andrea Nutt, Sharon Shields, Anne Simpson, Graham Short, Rachel Taylor, Catherine Waddell, Jackie White, David Wotherspoon.
Facilities Management Tom Bradford, John Cochrane, Georgina Doonan, James Dykes, John Faddes, Elizabeth Finnegan, Lesley Fowler, David Gibson, Robin Gourlay, Robert Govans, Linda Harris, Margaret Houston, Elizabeth Hudson, Samuel Hudson, James Johnstone, Mary McCombe, Rosemary McGowan, Roy McPheator, Robert Murray, Andrew Miller, Thomas Newlands, Alice Ramsay, Anne Rattray, Jean Riddicks, Agnes Samson, Robert Steele, Jacqueline Young.
He went on to be a Curriculum Development Officer … within the Technical and Vocational Educational Initiative and then an Inspector with Strathclyde Regional Council’s Quality Assurance Unit. In 1996, he became Head of Quality Improvement with the Council, going on to become Head of Service and Depute Director of Education, until his appointment as Executive Director of Educational and Social Services eight years ago. In 2006, Graham represented the Scottish Government at the Institute of School Leadership at Harvard University as well as serving on a host of other educational and advisory boards and panels during his long and distinguished career. Graham’s life outside work has been equally busy, including running the Mongolia Marathon, the Antarctic Marathon and the West Highland Way (three times) and he cites his first class pass in Astronomy O Level as another career high. Married with two sons and three grandchildren, Graham looks forward to more foreign travel and we wish him a long and happy retirement.
APRIL 15
ewords 12 keeping you informed
Employee News… Retiral of Elizabeth Morton Elizabeth Morton, our Depute Chief Executive has retired from the Council. A lifelong resident of East Ayrshire, she began her local government career over 40 years ago, as a legal apprentice/legal executive with Ayr County Council and Cunninghame District Council. Elizabeth worked for all four Ayrshire District Councils, as well as Hamilton District Council and Falkirk Council, prior to joining East Ayrshire Council. As a legal apprentice, Elizabeth studied on a part-time basis, passing the Law Society of Scotland professional examinations and becoming enrolled as a Solicitor in September 1987. Elizabeth was appointed Depute Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council in September 2004, returning to the area to work after 10 years with Falkirk Council where she was the Director of Law and Administration. During her time with East Ayrshire, Elizabeth also enjoyed the roles of Executive Director of Corporate Support and since 1 April 2010, she was the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services. We wish Elizabeth a very well-earned, long and happy retirement.
Developing our organisation
Hands are not for hurting Facilities Management staff took part in the ‘16 Days of Action’ to end violence against women. Staff who took part in the campaign, ‘Hands are not for hurting’. drew around their hands on the poster provided and displayed it in their workplace. Secondary Schools’ Catering Services also provided baking which highlighted the White Ribbon campaign.
Our new online Learning Academy is now up and running and offers a fantastic range of resources and opportunities to improve your skills and personal development. The online resource contains a host of learning materials, downloads, extensive learning and development resources and access to e-learning. It’s a great place to brush up your skills, or learn new ones. Our Organisational Development Team has also set up an individual page for each service to provide information for their employees and a superb online Leadership Academy has also been developed so leaders and managers have quick and easy access to bite-size learning on the go. You can visit the page here: https://learning.east-ayrshire.gov.uk
APRIL 15
ewords 13 keeping you informed
General waste collection changes in 2015 Between August 2013 and August 2014, we introduced a food waste and plastics collection service to all of our households. Not only is this good practice, it is also helping us meet some tough national and legal targets contained in The Zero Waste Regulations (Scotland) Act and we’re routinely continuing to review the service we offer as part of the Council’s Transformation Strategy. Thanks to the fleet of vehicles we bought to collect food waste and plastics, we were also able to introduce our black box recycling service (glass, cans, household batteries, small electrical items, aerosols and foil) to our rural households.
What’s changing during 2015? As we all get better at reducing, reusing and recycling our waste material, the need for a fortnightly general waste collection should be significantly reduced and we’re moving to a three-weekly cycle for general waste collection. From May 2015, we’ll be informing local households about this change and when they will move to the new collection schedule. This programme should be complete by November. In addition, a one-off blue bin collection will take place just after Christmas, to assist with the extra paper and card. All of these changes, along with the frequency of brown bin uplifts for winter, will be highlighted on the new calendar sent to households. Today, our residents can dispose of a total of 305 litres through the various waste boxes and services we offer – a significant increase on the 240 litres we used to collect in one bin 10 years ago.
When will this start? Three-weekly general waste collections will be introduced as follows:
May 2015 Priestland, Darvel, Newmilns, Galston, Moscow, Hurlford, Lugton, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Crosshouse, Gatehead and part Kilmarnock – New Farm Loch, Riccarton, Shortlees & Bellfield.
September 2015 Mauchline, Catrine, Sorn, Auchinleck, Muirkirk, Lugar, Logan, Cumnock, New Cumnock, Bellsbank, Dalmellington, Patna, Rankinston, Dalrymple and Drongan.
November 2015 Kilmarnock – Beansburn, Shortlees, Knockinlaw, Bonnyton, Grange, Longpark, Onthank, Southcraigs, Bellfield, Caprington, Riccarton, New Farm Loch, Kilmaurs, Knockentiber, Fenwick, Waterside, Crookedholm & Hurlford. For more information, advice or guidance call 01563 554033 or email: waste@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Now, with the exception of our communal properties – who are in the process of receiving their recycling containers –
“It has never been easier to recycle from home in East Ayrshire.” Households requiring larger containers for their waste should contact us for details on how we can support them.
APRIL 15
ewords 14 keeping you informed
Great news from Project Search Help do more to save energy Spring is here, the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. What better time to make a renewed commitment to saving energy in our buildings and reduce our carbon emissions? Our Energy Team is working right across the Council providing information and advice in relation to using energy more wisely – and the great news is that you can do this at home and save your own money. So far we’ve successfully introduced or completed: • A standard heating policy (where technically practicable) • Upgrading boiler plant and existing heating systems • Reconfiguring building energy management systems • Reducing temperatures in schools and offices • Upgrading street lighting • Reducing fleet fuel consumption • Introduction of electric pool cars • Separate waste recycling within Council offices
How can you help do more? • Switch off lights when a room is not in use • Switch off monitors when you leave the building in the evening
We’ve some great news to report on the success of Project Search – a work training programme we help support for local young people (aged 17-24) with a learning disability and/or who are on the autistic spectrum. Working with Ayrshire College and NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Project Search helps prepare young people for employment by offering training in real work settings, learning valuable work skills and gaining practical experience. In addition, interns on the placements get help and support to improve their confidence, motivation, decision-making skills, job searching and interview skills. Interns participate in three 10-week rotations doing different jobs at the University Hospital Crosshouse – and the aim of the programme is to secure full-time employment. In year one, 60% of our interns gained full- time employment in their local community and that’s a fantastic start. The full-time programme starts again in September 2015 and ten intern places are available. An application and recruitment process is undertaken to determine readiness for employment and possible training needs. A bursary may also be available, depending on circumstances, and all applicants must be resident in East Ayrshire. If you know a young person on the autism spectrum, or with a learning disability, why not suggest they call Colette or Maureen on 01563 826244 for more information.
• Promote recycling, reuse goods where possible and reduce waste • Remove portable heaters and fans when required • ‘eview it’ - read documents on screen where possible rather than printing them out
Make a vibrant difference through befriending “Becoming a befriender may not change the world, but could change someone else’s”. That’s the aim of our recently launched Befriending service for older adults – a voluntary, mutually beneficial service where an individual gives time to support another, to enable them to make positive changes in their life. Befriending an older adult can be rewarding, challenging and good fun and it can take place in a range of different settings – from a person’s home, or in a group setting – helping people gain confidence, develop skills and get back into the local community. In the past, large extended families played an important role in supporting other family members. As times changed and more people have moved away, family groups and networks of friends have become smaller and older adults can often become lonely or isolated. Befriending can help bridge the gap for someone who has no close family or friends and our service aims to: • help integrate older people within their community • reduce isolation and develop trustful relationships • support people within their own homes Having a strong connection to family or friends also has a range of health benefits, with some studies showing people who have active support suffer from fewer colds, have lower blood pressure and a slower heart rate. Statistics also show that marriage, perhaps the strongest tie, adds years to life expectancy and suicide, mental health illness and alcoholism rates are much lower when people feel a sense of belonging. You can make a real difference to an older adult, so if you’d like to become a befriender in East Ayrshire, phone Wilma Love on 01290 550573 or call Vibrant Communities on 01563 576353.
For further advice contact the Council’s Energy Team at:
energyteam@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
APRIL 15
ewords 15 keeping you informed
Theatre and Arts Programme Joe McElderry
ABRAM GAMES – Maximum Meaning Minimum Means
Summer Reading Challenge: Record Breakers
Sat 16 May - Sat 5 Sep Dick Institute • Main Gallery • FREE
Sat 13 June - Mon 31 Aug FREE • 4-12 yrs • Libraries
We are delighted to feature the work of Abram Games, one of the pivotal graphic designers of the 20th century.
Are you ready for a challenge? Could you help us to break our record as part of this year’s Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland? This year’s challenge is called Record Beakers and we hope to be just that by having the highest number of children completing the challenge ever in East Ayrshire but we need you to sign up to be part of it at your local library. Collecting stickers, as you go, you will discover weird, wonderful and wacky records from around the world
Sat 23 May • 7.30pm • £20 X-FACTOR winner Joe McElderry is hitting the road with a brand new show after the sell-out success of last year’s nationwide tour. His unmistakable voice, easy wit and warm rapport have endeared him to all ages from 5 to 95.
For more details ask at your local library and sign up. Don’t miss out on your chance to be an East Ayrshire Record Breaker. There will be lots of record-breaking arts and craft activities too, lists of these activities, dates, places and how to book will be available at eastayrshireleisure.com
A date at the Palace -
search is on for Junior Choir stars
Do you have a budding star of stage and screen at home? Or do you know of a young person looking for a break into showbiz? Why not suggest they audition for a place in the Junior Choir at Mother Goose – this year’s pantomime at the Palace Theatre Kilmarnock?
EAST AYRSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT
Auditions take place on Saturday 22 August 2015, but places must be booked well in advance – and are only open to children in full time compulsory education aged between 9 and 16. Due to performance licensing regulations, limited dressing room space and child protection regulations, this year only girls are being considered for the audition. Contact the Palace Theatre box office on 01563 554900 to book your place. Please note no-one will be auditioned without a booked place. On the day arrive no later than 9.30am for a prompt 10am start. You can find out more about the pantomime and the auditions at the following link, where you can also download an application form: www.imaginetheatre. co.uk/Productions/2015-Mother-Goose-Kilmarnock.aspx
Fri 8 May 7.30pm Sat 9 May 2pm 7.30pm SAT Tickets 8 - SUN £9/£7 9 mAYconc 2015 • PAlAcE THEATRE • KIlmARNOcK
APRIL 15
ewords 16 keeping you informed
Woodland therapy for all A chance to unwind, relax and enjoy the great outdoors – that’s what’s on offer from the Cumnock-based East Ayrshire Woodlands Trust, which has been delivering a superb programme of mental health support since 2012. Delivered in single sessions one day a week, the 12-week programme works with groups of people on referral from privately run and NHS day and residential centres and is geared to boost people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as help improve confidence and positivity on the road to recovery. Poor mental health is not something that anyone has immunity from. Issues at work, personal problems, a contributing illness or even things that have happened in the distant past or within childhood can be reasons why people’s mental health can suffer. The Trust believes that simply being outdoors in a calming, relaxed environment has a positive impact on mental wellbeing and the 12 week programme has been so successful that it has been extended to a wider range of groups, with shorter, more specialised opportunities delivered on single days, or over four sessions on specific subjects. Activities range from bushcraft, shelter building and green woodwork, to safe and responsible firelighting, species identification, environmental art, sculpture and woodland games. These are also offered as part of the Trust’s wider woodland education programme which may also include sessions in wood carving, tai chi or birds of prey - fascinating and therapeutic experience for the group. For further information on the mental health and woodland education opportunities and training on offer, visit www.eastayrshirewoodlands.co.uk, phone Mark Davies on 01290 426973, or email mark.davies@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Blooming great way to celebrate legacy in 2015 Building on the sporting, cultural and creative impetus from last year’s Commonwealth Games, we recently celebrated national Legacy Week 2015 by unveiling a new legacy bench, gifted to the Council by the Young Scot Flourishing Scotland project. The bench, manufactured by Galgael, is made from Scottish Elm and sustainably sourced from Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Each unique bench has legacy wishes laser-engraved on a plaque. In addition, some wild flower seed balls were planted as part of the same project – and Vibrant Communities have more seed balls available for local groups or communities who wish to plant these in their own community spaces. If you know of any group or community organisation who’d like to do this, please ask them to get in touch, explaining where they would plant the seeds and how this helps create a sense of legacy. Get in touch through Facebook, or email: vibrantcommunities@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
APRIL 15
ewords 17 keeping you informed
New road safety app is out of this world In just one week a new road safety app, aimed at 8-11 year olds, has been downloaded close to 20,000 times. The app called ‘KLANG: The Road Home’ has been developed by Road Safety Scotland, part of Transport Scotland, and the Scottish Government using gaming technology to get across important road safety messages. The game sees alien robot Klang crash land on earth from the planet Fendaar in a nearby galaxy. He needs help to safely navigate our busy streets to find the missing parts for his ship before making his way home, all the while avoiding discovery by rogue detection officers. The app fills the need for resources that reinforce road safety learning with games and its development comes at a time when online behaviour among children and young people is growing and evolving. Around 12% of 8-11 year olds own a mobile device and over a third use it regularly. You can download the app here: App store - http://bit.ly/1zAC8RC Google Play - http://bit.ly/16kEq0b
Safely does it for supported tenants
A child’s journey in permanence A packed Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock has seen a new play, highlighting the work we do to help cared-for children find a permanent place to call home.
Keeping our tenants safe in supported accommodation is a key priority for us and one simple, but effective way of doing this, is a regular check on community alarms and smoke detectors. Every month our Maintenance Assistants visit all tenants in supported accommodation to ensure this equipment is working properly, with any problems reported to and dealt with by the appropriate team. Each visit checks a number of alarm systems within the home and reassures tenants that in case of an emergency, help will be at hand. It’s a popular service with tenants and allows for individual circumstances to be checked and monitored. If it’s felt that their circumstances are changing and additional support might be needed, this is suggested and permission is asked for an appropriate member of staff to carry out a follow up visit. The visit also offers a chance to keep tenants up to date with news about what’s on in the supported accommodation unit and the local community, helping prevent social isolation, or increase activity levels.
APRIL 15
Dramatist Naomi Breeze, who specialises in social care topics, researched the subject of ‘permanence’ in East Ayrshire and produced a play about the real-life experiences of children and young people and their experiences from childhood into adulthood. The play was performed in front of over 200 people from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and was extremely well received.
ewords 18 keeping you informed