Ewords december 2014

keeping you informed

Remember the ‘little things’ this Christmas

DECEMBER 14

welcome contents Welcome to the December issue of Ewords, where you will find a review of the main events from 2014; important information on the Community Plan and a number of recent employee achievements.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2015.

If you have news to share with your colleagues, please get in touch – the next issue will be out March/April.

Email: communications.pr@eastayrshire.gov.uk

Remember the ‘little things’ this Christmas 3 Employee News…

4 With thanks…

4 A review of 2014 5 Local authority liaison officer takes up post 8 What a backdrop!

9 Christmas card competition 9 Community Plan Review 2014/15 – Update 10 National award for Alliance team 10 The drink drive limit has changed – be aware 11 Town centre parking for employees 11 Top team scoop commendation in Scottish Quality Planning Awards 11 New volunteer framework 12 Bar in a Box 12 Full of Life Event 12 Halloween with Elvis 12 Community Learning Action Plans 13 Active Schools residential sports weekend 13 Are you flummoxed by Facebook? Terrified of Twitter?

13 A healthy working lunch 14 International call up for local lad 14 Nurture in Nature: Play training days with TCV Scotland 15 A day in the life of…

16 Major trophy for music service 17 The power to save a life 17 New housing for Stewarton 18 Olympic get set awards 18 Provost chooses life as he pledges support for Samaritans 19 Vibrant Communities befriending service 20 Schools are green and clean 20 Tis the season to recycle 20 A Merry Christmas from some of our four legged friends 21 Recipes 22 Are you ready for winter?

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FROM 5TH DECEMBER THERE IS A NEW LOWER LIMIT. BEING OVER IT WILL GET YOU A MINIMUM 20 YEAR CRIMINAL RECORD. DON’T RISK IT. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE DECEMBER 14

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Give a child the gift they’ve been dreaming of this Christmas …

Remember the

a family ‘little things’ this Christmas During the festive season, we’re doing something a bit different with the Christmas tree at Council HQ reception.

To raise awareness of the need for foster carers in East Ayrshire, we’re asking you to write down one ‘little thing’ that you remember fondly from your childhood - something simple, but which meant a lot to you - that we could potentially use as part of a campaign to encourage other people to foster.

Our new fostering campaign, due to start in the New Year, will focus 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... these little things can make such a big difference to a child’s life.

Fostering and adoption in East Ayrshire, make the first step…

We would be grateful if you could take a minute to write your memory on one of the luggage tags available from reception and hang it on the tree this Christmas. And if you or anyone you know might be interested in fostering a child, please call 0800 434 6633.

0800 434 6633 fosteringandadoption.org.uk

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Employee News…

With thanks…

Jim Dunn, Business Development Advisor, and the Working Digital team, got fantastic feedback from their Working Digital event which is designed especially for businesses who would like to increase their online presence. The event attracts outstanding speakers at the top of their field.

Delegates wrote: For the third year running, employees went purple for charity.

The annual Go Purple day raises much need funds for the Ayrshire Hospice and this year employees dug deep raising £691.56.

Dawn Liddell, Senior Clerical Officer at the Northwest Housing Team and Angela McGivern, Housing Officer at the Kilmarnock Central and South Housing Team, completed a 10K at the Great Scottish Run event in October.

They raised a whopping £1015.50 for leukaemia and lymphoma research at the Oncology Ward at Ayr Hospital.

Well done to them both!

@working_digital is the best thing to hit Ayrshire since Rabbie left It’s all over for another year @working_digital. Even better than last year. Well done,@EACbusiness2 @nsdesign @colinkelly. You guys #Rock @EACbusiness2 @working_digital @nsdesign What a performance!

Seriously impressed, have attended many conferences & this up there with the best Barbara McNaughton, Sustainability Officer (2014 Legacy/ Events) was thanked for her work preparing a commemorative book for our batonbearers and for her involvement in a civic reception held in their honour.

One batonbearer wrote: “I wanted to congratulate you on a fabulous evening last Friday night, thank you so much for all your effort and inviting me.

I loved it.”

While another wrote: “A very special thank you for the book this is an excellent momento of a very special occasion and it has given me great pleasure to read about all the other people. Well done EAC for taking time out to celebrate our special community event.”

Congratulations to Kris Stewart, Assistant Supervisor at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, for graduating from Loughborough College with a BA Honours Degree in Leisure Management.

Within Housing Asset Services thanks were received from tenants who have received excellent service from the HAS team.

One tenant, who was having a new kitchen installed, wrote: “Your staff are exceptional. Our kitchen turned out finer than we ever could have imagined. Thank you all so very, very much.”

While another tenant who was having an emergency repair carried out said: “The plumber was very prompt in arriving and very kind at reassuring me. This gentleman is a credit to your work force.”

Employee News…

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With thanks…

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A review of 2014 January

March

Proud pupils from Auchinleck and Cumnock academies were among a large crowd at the unveiling of the Wee House show home at Knockroon, Cumnock, brainchild of father and daughter team, Ian and Jennifer Hope.

The youngsters had been training in construction skills on site and were in the process of completing their very own Wee House. The 17-year-old students’ own version officially opened in March.

A spectacular dance extravaganza held in the Palace Theatre took the audience on a whirlwind tour of the world through dance.

Dance Fest 2014, produced by Cultural Co-ordinator Zara Smith, featured a wide range of performances involving 37 different acts from local primary, secondary and special schools, as well as private dance schools across East Ayrshire.

April

February Children, staff and invited guests celebrated the start of work on the new £4.3 million replacement teaching block at Onthank Primary School and Early Childhood Centre.

Giant cranes lifted the first modules into place, to the amazement of the children looking on.

Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown, officially launched the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Scotland’s most innovative public sector partnership. The Alliance is the first partnership in Scotland to reflect the recommendations of the Christie Commission and was established to deliver excellent shared roads and transportation services to communities across East and South Ayrshire.

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A review of 2014 May

July

Loudoun Leisure Centre was officially opened.

Built by East Ayrshire Council and managed by East Ayrshire Leisure, the new leisure centre provides modern sporting facilities for both Loudoun Academy and the local community, including a FIFA *1 synthetic grass pitch, swimming pool and a new fitness suite suitable for all levels of fitness. There are also two multi-purpose halls which can be used for badminton, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and dance.

The children and staff of Flowerbank Early Childhood Centre received the keys to their new premises in Woodstock Street, Kilmarnock.

The ÂŁ1.75 million facility provides early years education for around 90 youngsters under five years of age.

August June The Queens Baton Relay arrived in East Ayrshire and was carried through communities from Dalmellington to Kilmarnock. The day ended with a fantastic Commonwealth Carnival in Kilmarnock town centre and an official closing ceremony where all the batonbearers were cheered by a huge crowd.

The biggest and best Playday in Scotland hit the Kay Park with a day of exciting activities for all the family. This year Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP joined in the fun, taking part in many of the activities with the young people attending.

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A review of 2014 September

November

Auchinleck, Doon and James Hamilton Academies attended Sir Tom Hunter’s Entrepreneurial Spark and East Ayrshire Academies Showcase at the West Coast Hatchery. The inspirational event gave pupils a unique opportunity to learn from Sir Tom’s own experiences and to hear from some of the fledgling businesses currently in residence at the Hatchery.

The annual Gala concert was held at the Grand Hall and the audience was wowed by the talented performers from primary and secondary schools across East Ayrshire.

October

December

The Cumnock Tryst came to town and Cumnock Old Church was the venue for a show entitled ‘The Future of Brass’. Involving pupils from local schools, including Cumnock Academy and Greenmill Primary, the show was led by Tryst organiser and world famous musician, James MacMillan.

It didn’t actually happen in December but it is too Christmassy to ignore. Fiona Nicolson, town centre manager, arranged for Santa and the Cairngorm Reindeers to visit Kilmarnock town centre. It was a magical event for young and old alike.

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Local authority liaison officer takes up post Allan Jackson has been appointed Local Authority Liaison Officer for the Council.

He joined Strathclyde Police in 1991 after serving for five years in the Royal Military Police. Allan began his career in the south side of Glasgow but returned to his home town of Kilmarnock as Community Policing sergeant.

Since his promotion to the Ayrshire Division, Allan has undertaken Response Policing supervisory duties for the whole of Ayrshire.

Allan said: “Since becoming East Ayrshire’s LALO I have been impressed with the genuine desire of the local authority, its employees and partner agencies to make East Ayrshire a safe and vibrant place to live and work and I look forward to building upon the excellent partnership that already exists between the Council and Police Scotland to achieve this.”

Allan is married with three children and spends much of his spare time volunteering as one of the ‘minis’ section coaches at Kilmarnock Rugby Club.

events and activities santa’s grotto Dean castle & country Park Sat 6 - Sun 21 Dec • 10am-5pm saturdays & sundays in December £6 for Santa’s Grotto (includes a gift from Santa) £4 for Mrs Claus (mid week for organised groups) To book call: 01563 554734

Christmas Crafts Dick institute, kilmarnock saturdays in December 10am • 5-11 yrs • Free

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aLaddin Palace theatre, kilmarnock Sat 22 Nov - Sun 28 Dec The Palace Theatre’s spectacular family Panto. Sponsored by Stewart Travel, Wilko & Parks Motor Group, Irvine

Letters to santa – songs, rhymes & instruments Dick institute, kilmarnock sat 6 Dec at 1pm & 2pm £2.50 per child.

3-7 yrs and parents/carers

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What a backdrop!

The Graphics team are to be congratulated for creating the most talked about backdrop in Scotland during the Referendum count.

Former spin doctor, Alistair Campbell even took to Twitter, starting an international discussion about the colourful creation.

The backdrop featured: Dean Castle and Country Park. Dean Castle in Kilmarnock was the stronghold of the Boyd family for over 400 years. The imposing Keep was built in 1350 and the adjoining Palace in 1460. Today this five star attraction welcomes over one million visitors a year.

Dumfries House, Cumnock. Dumfries House was saved for the nation by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, and opened to the public in 2008. The mansion boasts an unrivalled collection of Chippendale and unique furniture, as well as a stunning 2000 acre country estate.

Dick Institute, Kilmarnock. Opened in 1901, the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock was built by philanthropist James Dick, a local man who had emigrated and made his fortune in Australia. The building is now one of the most significant cultural venues in south-west Scotland.

Loudoun Hill. Loudoun Hill has witnessed many historical events within East Ayrshire. The road which passes by the base of the volcanic hill follows the route of a Roman road which linked the Clyde Valley to the Ayrshire coast.

Bank (Templand) Railway Viaduct, Cumnock. Designed to transport coal from the mines of Lugar to the coastal ports for export, this category A listed structure was built by architect John Millar between 1848 and 1850.

Burns Statue, Burns Monument Centre, Kay Park, Kilmarnock. W.G. Stevenson’s statue of Robert Burns was originally the centrepiece of the Kilmarnock Monument that was destroyed by fire in 2004. The statue survived and was incorporated into the Burns Monument Centre, which opened in 2009.

National Burns Memorial Tower. The National Burns Memorial was erected to mark the centenary of the death of Robert Burns. Mauchline was chosen since the poet had composed many of his best known works while a tenant at nearby Mossgiel Farm from 1784 to 1788.

Barony A Frame. The Barony A Frame was built in 1954 as part of the modernisation of the Barony Colliery.

The A frame has listed building status and is the last remaining example of its type in Britain.

Alexander Fleming. Alexander Fleming was born in East Ayrshire in 1881. He was educated at Kilmarnock Academy and in 1906 he graduated in medicine, going on to famously discover penicillin in 1928 for which he was knighted and awarded the Nobel Prize.

The Four Twins. ‘The Four Twins’ sculpture is by artist Shona Kinloch and is situated in Kilmarnock town centre.

It represents Kilmarnock’s connections with its twin towns Ales and Joue-les-tours (France); Kulmbach (Germany); Herstal (Belgium) and Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Spain).

Christmas card competition Having exhausted our supply of snowy festive photography scenes, this year we enlisted the help of our senior art and design pupils to come up with a creative concept for our Corporate Christmas card.

After a great deal of deliberation, this stunning image, called ‘Glistening Ribbons’,

by Gareth Kerr, S5 pupil at Doon Academy, was selected as the winner.

Runners up in the competition were Hillside School, with a collective submission entitled ‘Natural Robin’, an environmental art project that the class carried out at Dumfries House using natural materials.

Gary McConnachie, also from Doon Academy, also received a runner up award.

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Happy Christmas

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• that the Community Plan will be a 15-year plan for the period 2015-2030; • identification of our strategic priorities for the Community Plan; and • development of three Delivery Plans, namely Economy and Skills, Community Safety, and Wellbeing, which will be subject to three-yearly reviews.

Our most recent consultation has confirmed that we are heading in the right direction. Thank you to everyone who has provided input and commented through our consultation surveys and engagement events.

Community Plan Review 2014/15 – Update As we near the end of the lifespan of the current Community Plan, a fundamental, comprehensive review of the Community Plan, the associated Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) and Community Planning arrangements is currently being progressed, with the aim of developing a new visionary plan, which will meet the needs of our communities from 1 April 2015.

As part of the review process, a wide range of stakeholders has been consulted and their views have informed our decision making.

Progress includes: • that the Community Plan remains as the sovereign and overarching strategic planning document for East Ayrshire with an updated vision for the area;

Your contribution has ensured that the identified priorities and views on how partnership working can improve the services we deliver as a Community Planning Partnership are reflected in the new Community Plan.

Over the coming months, our next steps to ensuring that the new Community Plan and Delivery Plans are in place for implementation from 1 April 2015 include the following: • Convene peer review and external challenge sessions; • Identify the top 2-3 priorities for East Ayrshire; • Review our governance arrangements; • Finalise our new Community Plan and the three new Delivery Plans; • Develop our new Single Outcome Agreement; and • Get the message out across the Council and the wider partnership through training awareness sessions.

If you would like more information about the Community Plan, please contact Gwen Barker, Policy, Planning and Performance Manager (01563 55 4602).

National award for Alliance team Alan Vass, Gwen Findlay and Azhar Ali from the Ayrshire Roads Alliance have been recognised at the glittering Highway Magazine excellence awards in London.

The team was presented with the Road Marking Project of the Year award for an innovative initiative delivered in partnership with Rennicks, a company which has developed active road stud technology.

The scheme, which focused on a stretch of road near the village of Waterside on the A719, saw the introduction of studs, or cat’s eyes as they are more commonly known which don’t require car head lights to reflect the light but have led lights instead.

Accident rates showed that there was a higher rate of incidents at night and during inclement weather and the Alliance was keen to make positive changes to the overall safety of this road. Since the introduction of the innovative new studs, accidents have reduced by 100%.

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Top team scoop commendation in Scottish Quality Planning Awards

The drink drive limit has changed – be aware The Christmas party season is upon us and many of us will be enjoying liquid refreshments at nights out or Christmas lunches.

On Friday 5 December, the legislation changed and the drink drive limit was lowered from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

But what does this actually mean?

Everyone reacts differently to alcohol but the advice provided by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance Road Safety team is to drink no alcohol if you are driving.

Remember, it takes about 13 hours for alcohol to leave your bloodstream after one bottle of wine, or four pints of beer, so please do not drive the morning after a night out, make plans to get a lift or take public transport.

A drink driving conviction is a serious offence which would have a negative impact on your life.

Town centre parking for employees There are lots of options open to employees who work in Kilmarnock town centre to use the car parks near to their offices.

The multi storey at the Foregate has a season ticket available at just £13.85 for a four week period, this compares favourably with £20 if paid on a daily basis. There is the added benefit that this amount would be deducted straight from your pay, so there is no need to carry change with you for parking.

The Planning and Economic Development regeneration team had cause for celebration with the news that the Kilmarnock Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and Townscape Heritage Initiative has scooped a commendation in this year’s Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning held at Edinburgh’s George Hotel.

Our award, a commendation in the Development on the Ground category, was for a heritage-led regeneration project which involved more than £19 million of investment in the repair and refurbishment of 17 properties in the John Finnie Street and Bank Street, Kilmarnock Conservation Area. Along with streetscape improvements, the project included an extensive programme of heritage training and education which engaged a broad spectrum of the local community.

There is also a £20 option for employees at the multi storey (Zone A) and a £27.70 package for the car parks at Sturrock Street East, Titchfield Street and Portland Road.

Please be considerate when parking locally and consider local residents if you do choose to park on-street.

Public transport might be an option for some and worth considering as the bus station and train station are just minutes away from the Opera House and the Johnnie Walker Bond.

If you require more information about the annual parking season ticket please contact Kerry Cassells or James Kelly on 01563 503173.

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Halloween with Elvis Hamilton Gardens supported accommodation unit was delighted to welcome Elvis, otherwise known as Care Co-ordinator John Reid, for their annual halloween party.

New volunteer framework On International Volunteer Day, a new volunteer framework was launched by the Council.

This means that you can now take one paid day per year to volunteer with a community or voluntary organisation based within East Ayrshire or a national organisation delivering services within East Ayrshire.

Bar in a Box During National Alcohol Awareness Week, the Young People, Sport and Diversion Team took their ‘Barin-a-box’ roadshow round the Children’s Houses and Youth Groups within East Ayrshire to promote alternative mocktails.

The audience, which included tenants and their families, local community members and tenants from other supported accommodation units, were all shook up thanks to the fabulous show.

Viva Hamilton Gardens!

The project was great fun and introduced young people to short workshops around alcohol misuse and the effects alcohol has on your judgement and health.

The new framework is supported by a range of handbooks and policies that contain all the information you need whether you are interested in volunteering yourself or have volunteers within your service.

More information is available here: www.eac.eu/volunteering

Full of Life Event The Grand Hall was Full of Life recently when Vibrant Communities, and partners, celebrated the national Older People’s Day. The event included a bogus caller awareness session led by Police Scotland and a brilliant stage play about bogus callers from the Baldy Bain Theatre Company’s Production entitled One Foot in the Door.

Eddie Fraser, Director of the Health and Social Care Partnership talked about developments in the Health and Social Care Partnership, Creative Minds provided wonderful entertainment and Sharon McQuillan re-energised participants with some fun exercises. The self-directed support team closed the event with essential information for participants about how to control their own care needs and also telecare and community alarms.

If you would like further information on the Full of Life event please contact Margaret MacBain on 01563 578121.

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Community Learning Action Plans Vibrant Communities are dedicated to working with all communities within East Ayrshire to help them develop a Community Led Action Plan.

Actions Plans have proven to help enable communities to develop their area, for example, previous plans have resulted in: • More people wanting to take part in shaping the future of their community • Changing and more sophisticated leadership within communities

Active Schools residential sports weekend The Active Schools Residential Sports Weekend took place at the National Sports Centre in Inverclyde involving 37 senior pupils from all nine secondary schools. The group included Young Ambassadors and Community Sport Leadership young people.

• Communities shifting from being reactive to proactive

Are you flummoxed by Facebook?

Terrified of Twitter?

• Communities becoming partners in their own development • A wide range of community projects and initiatives • A greater ability for communities to partner with public agencies to deliver services • Increased membership of existing local groups • Creation of new community organisations • Increased local capacity to develop and manage community projects We are currently working with the following communities who have launched their plans, Dalmellington New Cumnock, Logan, Lugar and Cronberry, Mauchline, Darvel, Newmilns, Fenwick and Sorn & Auchencloigh, Drongan, Rankinston and Stair. Work is progressing through the action plan process in the following communities; Patna and Netherthird If you want to be part of developing your community, or want to find out more, then contact the Communities Team on 01563 578148.

Get a check-up at the Social Media Surgery Social media lets you connect people from Mauchline to Melbourne and the Digital Communications team want to help you experience its benefits, whether you’re using social media personally or for your work.

That’s why we’re starting up lunchtime Social Media Surgeries. Our Social Media Surgeries are informal one-to-one sessions, held between 1pm-2pm every Wednesday at London Road Headquarters. Surgeries are relaxed with no presentations and no jargon - instead you will sit with someone who understands social media, who will listen to what you want to do and any queries you have, and then show you free, useful tools and ways to achieve your aims. We can help you set up your Facebook page or Twitter account, or make the most of the account you already have. All sessions are confidential and can be about anything you’re interested in or have questions about.

Interested in learning more about social media and how it can help you?

Book your 30 minute one-to-one session on a Wednesday lunchtime by emailing digital@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

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A healthy working lunch

Chris Walker, Corporate Catering Manager, ably assisted by Janie Stewart from Chief Executive’s and Ann Ross from Onsite Services, held a Healthy Working Lunch cooking demonstration at London Road’s canteen.

Chris demonstrated easy, but seriously delicious recipes, and gave great tips on how to eat healthy and cook with fresh ingredients.

Chris said: “People don’t realise how healthy a school dinner is and there are lots of great tips you can learn from our school kitchens. Our menus rotate constantly and this means that food is always fresh, unlike many fancy restaurants which have the same menu week in week out.

“Cooking healthy food doesn’t have to be time consuming either, there are lots of ways to speed up the cooking process without compromising on taste.”

Everyone who attended the demo, and some who happened to arrive at the canteen at exactly the right time, got to taste the delicious dishes.

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International call up for local lad Cumnock lad Mark Bennett has been called up to play for Scotland and no one has been prouder or shouting louder in the stand than mum, Yvonne Bennett, Service Manager with the Mental Health Partnership.

A product of St Joseph’s Academy and Cumnock Rugby Club, Mark is tipped to be one of the greatest players of his generation and he didn’t disappoint in his debut match against Argentina.

Unfortunately a bad injury against New Zealand ruled him out of the Tonga clash at Rugby Park, where he would have received a huge welcome from the Ayrshire crowd.

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Nurture in Nature: Play training days with TCV Scotland The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) Scotland has trained 40 early years’ outdoor learning champions and positive play staff in outdoor play and citizen science.

The Nurture in Nature training days took place at Woodroad Park, Cumnock and Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock.

sponsor

L

ooking for a unique Christmas gift this year, then why not sponsor a tree in the grounds of Dean Castle & Country Park? The Boyd Wood is a commemorative native woodland which is being planted to celebrate Homecoming 2014 and to help restore this area of woodland to its former glory.

These unique play training courses aimed to increase understanding of the value of outdoor play and how to support it through the use of adult led and child led activities.

The sessions included shelter building and knots, OPAL surveys (citizen science), practical activities, biodiversity games and sensory play. All participants received a play pack with a range of outdoor games and activities that will help them support play throughout East Ayrshire.

a t r ee

Park y r t n u at Dean Castle & Co

If you’re looking for an unusual gift for friends or family, to remember a loved one or commemorate a special occasion, this is the perfect opportunity to do so within the designated landscape of the stunning country park.

The cost of sponsoring a tree is £20. Contact 01563 554734 or visit our website to select your tree: eastayrshireleisure.com Dean castle & country park Dean road kilmarnock ka3 1Xb T: 01563 554734

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‌ f o e f i l e h t n i y a d a ls e s s a C Suzie ions Officer at ommunic Digital C

With the rise in internet, smart phone and tablet use, the way that local residents want to interact with the Council is changing. My job is to educate our services about the benefits of communicating their messages digitally using social media and our website and developing campaigns for them that will work on these channels.

Could you describe your job?

I provide an advisory and support role for all digital communications campaign plans across council g services. This can include developin for ent cont and site web our on sections s, post social media such as Facebook os. tweets, blog posts, photos and vide all for bility onsi resp Our team has content on the Council’s public-facing our website as well as management of , unts acco ia corporate social med www.facebook.com/eastayrshire and www.twitter.com/eastayrshire

As a team we have developed a friendly and personal communication style on social media and are aiming to update our website content in the same way. We have increased our public engagement and enhanced the reputation of the Council with local residents who then speak positively about us, turning negative residents into positive promoters of our communications.

What does an average day look like?

An average day involves editing and approving content for the website; checking all of our social media channels for any comments, suggestions or complaints from the public and responding to them; e promoting our services through thes n/ paig cam channels; attending any working groups to keep campaigns moving forward; and photographing/ filming events to create interesting and informative content for our digital communications.

What did you accomplish yesterday?

Yesterday, I launched our social media campaign for 16 days of action. This is an international campaign the

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to Council are supporting which aims I eliminate violence against women. l took my iPad along to the photocal ted elec our of e som and photographed ity mun com and es loye emp , members ge planning partners making their pled e Thes en. wom to stop violence against the light high to used images were then and campaign on Facebook and Twitter e received a great response. One imag on ed post be will ever y day for 16 days ss rene awa ase incre to these channels of the campaign.

What did you listen to on the way to work?

Christmas songs, full blast!

Coffee or tea?

Tea, tea and more tea

Brown or red sauce?

Neither, yuk

Any interests?

Shopping, good food and walking my wee dog.

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Major trophy for music service It was music to our ears – the music service, led by Senior Education Manager John Wilson, has once again been awarded the prestigious Major Trophy by the National Music Council of Great Britain at a glittering ceremony at the English National Ballet in London.

On announcing the Council as the winner the National Music Council stated that: “The submission from East Ayrshire was a model of good practice in the provision of interesting and imaginative programmes… a most impressive application from a most impressive authority.

“For many years now, East Ayrshire has been operating at the top of its game, excelling in areas such as special educational needs provision, partnerships and continuing professional development (CPD) and this is reflected in the incredible provision East Ayrshire makes on an ongoing basis.

“East Ayrshire’s was one of the strongest programmes of work we have ever seen and, in assessing this application; we awarded a 10 for the first time in any of our categories.”

The power to save a life Thanks to the Health and Safety team life saving equipment has been installed in 34 venues across East Ayrshire and over 200 employees have been trained, through Heart Start and Stewarts First Aid, to save a life.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of premature death in the UK with 100,000 people dying every year. The chances of successful resuscitation are greatly increased when victims are treated quickly by defibrillation and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) is critically important.

In response to this evidence, the Council and East Ayrshire Leisure began installing defibrillators in key buildings including community venues, sports centres and workplaces last year but took the important decision to install them in all major Council

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buildings, entertainment venues, secondary schools and adult learning and resource centres to ensure that this life saving equipment was available to as many people as possible.

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Olympic get set awards Pupils and staff from Grange Academy attended the glittering Olympic Get Set award ceremony in Glasgow recently and were recognised by Olympian Luke Patience and wheelchair professional tennis player Gordon Reid for their hard work promoting the Get Set programme.

The red carpet event was the perfect opportunity to congratulate the school and its pupils who had been involved with the Get

Set programme running extracurricular clubs, teams and sports classes within the school.

Charlie Adams, PE Teacher said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to take part in the Get Set programme and I believe the pupils who lead the coaching and the pupils involved in the clubs got a huge amount out of them. The Awards Night was especially enjoyable as the pupils got to mix with Olympians and got recognised for the hard work they have been involved in throughout the past year.”

New housing for Stewarton Work was completed on the Council’s million pound housing development at Robertland Square in October and the homes were fully occupied last month. The development, built on the site of the former Robertland Hostel, includes two two-bed homes for wheelchair users with integral car ports and six two-bed homes specially designed for older people in attractive landscaped surroundings.

Capital Programme Manager Simon Bell, architect John Thomson, the Planning team and the Housing team have all worked closely together to deliver this outstanding development. The end result is life changing for local people.

The next development due to be completed is at Witch Road, which will provide assisted living flats for tenants with a range of support needs, and this will be followed quickly by the developments at Ayr Road, Cumnock and Skeoch Road, Mauchline.

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Provost chooses life as he pledges support for Samaritans “We’re always here, round the clock, every day of the year” – that was the message coming over loud and clear as Provost Jim Todd welcomed the dedicated volunteers who run Samaritans Ayrshire and announced that he will be supporting the Kilmarnock based branch as his chosen charity for the next two years.

Provost Todd explained “Every couple of years I select a charity to support and this time I have chosen Samaritans Ayrshire.

My main aim is to raise awareness, funds and assist them in the work they do to help people when they need it most.

“Suicide claims too many lives in Scotland.

Samaritans provide someone to talk to in confidence, around the clock, and offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope.

“It is a charity, with the service delivered entirely by trained volunteers who also provide outreach programmes in colleges, schools and prison.

“I aim to help Samaritans Ayrshire with practical support and fundraising and to publicise their work both to those who need help and those who may be interested in becoming volunteers themselves.”

Christmas and New Year can prove to be a very difficult time for many people for a wide variety of reasons.

You can contact the Samaritans, round the clock, about whatever you’re going through, by calling 08457 90 90 90 or 01563 531313 or email jo@samaritans.org

AYRSHIRE

u.

If things are getting to yo ) 08457 90 90 90* *(Lo(UK cal) 01563 531313

jo@samaritans.org hire www.samaritans.org/ayrs Visit us –

arnock

45 Titchfield Street, Kilm

The Council is also here to help. Employees can contact the Occupational Health Service directly to make a self referral and can be assured that their line manager will not be informed of any details regarding the referral or any subsequent visits. The OH team are qualified health professionals and are governed by the same moral, professional and ethical codes of conduct which all medical and nursing professionals have to adhere to.

An employee counselling service provides free counselling support by qualified counsellors to employees who are facing either work or personal related problems.

You can self refer to the service or be referred by your line manager. Again this is entirely confidential.

DECEMBER 14

The Council also provides a free bereavement counselling service through First Assist, which is part of the cover provided by Canada Life, our insurance company. This provides family members with unlimited telephone support and up to four face to face sessions with a qualified counsellor.

A welfare policy is currently being developed which will complement the health, safety and welfare at work policy and will focus on welfare issues relevant to employees of the Council. One of the policy aims is to encourage our employees to seek help at the earliest opportunity and not to remain silent about health problems.

Help is out there. Don’t remain silent, if you feel like you are struggling to cope, pick up the phone and talk to someone or speak directly to a colleague you trust. You might just need a little bit of extra support to help you through a difficult situation.

Contact Occupational Health Email: occupationalhealth@east-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: 01563 576741

The Employee Counselling Service Email: escounsellor@btconnect.com Tel: 0800 435 768

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Vibrant Communities befriending service Vibrant Communities run a life changing initiative called the East Ayrshire Befriending Service.

Across the country volunteers are giving up a few hours a week to provide companionship to those who suffer the effects of loneliness.

Family Support Worker, Karen Connor delivers the service which provides much needed support to 30 local children and young people.

Keiran (12) from Kilmarnock said: “I like the bond me and my befriender have. I’m not even 100% happier, I’m 101 or 102! We speak about our week and plan what we will do next week.”

National studies show that loneliness is a real problem across the UK. Two fifths of older people say that the TV is their main source of company but loneliness isn’t the preserve of the old. Research also shows that young people are just as likely to feel alone and friendless.

To find out more about being a befriender, or how to support your local befriending service, contact Karen Connor on 01563 576359 for an informal chat or email karen.connor@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Tis the season to recycle Between extra food being recycled, Christmas wrapping paper, plastics and cardboard boxes, the Waste Management team are all ready for a huge influx in recycling during the festive period.

Recycling centre opening hours will be:

Vibrant Communities held a celebration event to thank their befrienders during Befriending Week last month.

Schools are green and clean Our schools are green and clean following the introduction of a new Bio Active Cleaning Regime, and the Facilities Management Team recently picked up a National award from APSE in recognition of this achievement.

Christmas Eve

08:00 – 14:30

Hogmanay

08:00 – 14:30

Saturdays

08:00 – 15:50

Sundays

10:00 – 15:50

All other days

08:00 – 15:50

The recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Friday 2 January.

Remember if you are visiting the recycling centres with a liveried car, a van, a pickup or towing a trailer you will need to make an appointment – http://eac.eu/bookrecycling

Working with suppliers a trial cleaning regime was put in place at New Cumnock Primary School and Nursery, with a new cleaning regime which only used three cleaning products with ‘Bio-Actives’, replacing nine chemical products. Next, a new mopping system with washable, recyclable mop heads and larger buckets on wheels was introduced. Then, finally a battery powered scrubber-dryer machine using diamond floor pads, which would last three times longer.

Collections will be slightly different due to the holidays so if you normally receive a collection on either Christmas Day or New Years Day you will instead receive a Saturday collection, with Boxing Day and Friday 2 January 2015 collections moving to the Sunday of each week.

At the end of the trial period, cleaning productivity had significantly improved and there was a saving of £400 in cleaning materials.

All collections and opening hours will return to normal on Monday 5 January.

DECEMBER 14

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A Merry Christmas from some of our four legged friends

Afton and Skye Pollin

Charlie Haig

Bruno Withers

Rocco Robertson

Scottie Cassels Gos Stewart

Roxy Bennett

Stella and Ruby Parker

Riley Baillie

SEPTEMBER 14

Larsson Stokes

ewords 21 keeping you informed

Recipe: Recipe:

Chicken and spring vegetable stir fry

Quick and very easy recipe that serves a family of 4 Low in fat and calories, under 402 kcal per serving Ingredients • 100g Broccoli • 100g baby sweet corn • 2 chicken breast fillets (approx 150g each) • 1 bunch spring onions • 2 large carrots • 1 tbsp of olive oil • 35g ground ginger • 4 block medium egg noodles (65g each) • 1 jar black bean stir fry sauce

into florets, trim and roughly chop spring onion, peel carrots and cut into thin batons.

3 Bring a second pan of water to the boil and blanch the broccoli, carrots and sweet corn for approx 2 minutes (Drain well and put to side) 4 Heat ½ tbsp of the oil in a wok until smoking then add the chicken and stir fry for approx 7-8 minutes (or until golden brown) transfer to a plate

5 Heat the remaining oil in the pan and add all prepared veg and stir fry 1 Bring a large saucepan of for approx 2 minutes water to the boil add the noodles and simmer for 4 6 Return chicken and noodles to pan and minutes (drain and keep add black bean sauce warm) and heat all ingredients 2 meanwhile slice the together until piping hot, chicken breasts into 7 Serve and enjoy cubes, cut the broccoli

Method

DECEMBER 14

Griddled salmon with fresh tomato sauce

Simple quick and easy to prepare, serves 2 Low in fat and calories, under 392 kcal per serving Ingredients • 2 x 140g Salmon Fillets • 2 tbsp Olive Oil • 2 small onions chopped

for 2-3 minutes turn fish and cook for further 2-3 minutes.

4 Whilst cooking the fish preheat a second sauce pan/ frying pan

• 2 large tomatoes skinned 5 Reheat the remaining and chopped oil in second pan , add • Balsamic vinegar to taste the onion and cook until soft, Add the chopped • 200g mixed salad tomatoes and sauté for a Method further 2-3 minutes add a dash of balsamic vinegar, 1 Preheat griddle pan season with salt and pepper to taste.

2 Score the skin of the salmon, rub salmon on both sides 6 Serve the salmon on using half the oil the bed of tomato sauce and accompany with 3 Place salmon carefully crispy salad. on to griddle and cook

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Are you ready for winter?

Make sure you are prepared for severe weather on the roads by taking simple steps and staying safe.

For information go to www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ winter/Driving-in-bad-weather For more information contact the Health and Safety Helpdesk on 01563 554825 or go to the campaign page at www.eac.eu/healthandsafety

Teamwork is the key to a safer workplace

DECEMBER 14

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