News in Brief – Monday 4 November 2024
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for tuning in to News In Brief with important updates and news highlights of all that is happening over the next seven days. Don’t forget to check out the Staff News website for the latest information and news from across the Council.
Monday 4 November: National Youth Work Week
The Council is proud to pledge its support this week for National Youth Work Week 2024. #NYWW2024 celebrates youth work’s critical role in prevention and early intervention. Stay tuned to our social media channels for news and case studies to demonstrate the power of youth work in North Ayrshire #InvestInYouthWork
Also on Monday: Everyday Mindfulness course begins
The LiveWell Group’s Everyday Mindfulness Scotland Course is back, starting on Monday 4 November, from 5pm – 6:15pm this course will be delivered via Zoom and will run for four sessions finishing on Monday 25 November. Booking link and further details in the Latest News article.
Tuesday 5 November: Joint Cabinet Meeting
Young people’s views will be discussed at an upcoming Youth Joint Cabinet Meeting. Taking place at Saltcoats Town Hall on Tuesday morning, the meeting will be opened by Council Leader Marie Burns and will take place alongside senior councillors and the North Ayrshire Youth Council Executive. Local MYSP’s will also be in attendance.
Wednesday 6 November: Full Council Meeting
The November meeting of Full Council will get under way at 2pm in the Council Chambers on Wednesday. The agenda for the meeting is available on our website and you can view proceedings live online.
Friday 8 November: Deadline for PB votes
Don’t miss out! If you live in North Ayrshire and want to have your say on what community groups are most worthy of our latest £171k participatory budgeting funding – cast your PB votes before midnight on Friday via the Shaping North Ayrshire website.
Also on Friday: New digital skills survey launch
A new digital skills survey will be launched this Friday 8 November. Colleagues will receive a link via email with instructions on how to complete it. Full details in the Latest News article. The feedback gained will be used to identify digital strengths and areas where digital skills can be improved, to create a workplace where everyone can succeed in the digital age.
Also this week:
Council supports World Prematurity Month
November is World Prematurity Month. The Council is proud to have signed to the charity The Smallest Things’ Employer with Heart charter to provide additional support for parents and carers of babies who need neonatal care. Find out more about the support available in the Latest News article.
New Moorpark Primary School welcomes pupils
A fresh era in education for young people in Kilbirnie is underway after the new Moorpark Primary School opened its doors. Read more in the news release. The new facility – sitting adjacent to the former building – welcomed staff for the first time last week to commence a new chapter in their learning journey.
Local Government Workers Pay Award 1 April 2024 – Non-Teaching
New pay rates and arrears will be paid to our monthly (paid 12th each month) employees on Tuesday 12th November. Arrears will be paid to our weekly and fortnightly paid employees on Thursday 14th November, and our monthly (paid at the end of each month) on Thursday 28th November. For further information on the pay settlement please refer to our FAQs.
And finally…
Budget engagement: make your voice heard
If you haven’t already done so, please take a few moments to complete our Budget surveys. We’re engaging across a range of areas and all views will be welcomed. Visit the Budget page to submit your responses. For more details, see the press release.
Garnock Valley travel needs analysis
Do you live, work or regularly visit Beith, Dalry, Kilbirnie and the wider Garnock Valley? Take the 2024 Travel Survey! Your views will help capture the challenges and barriers to travelling to, from and within the Garnock Valley, and to identify potential solutions. Take the online survey here.
Important procurement dates for the diary
If relevant to your role, please read the Latest News article on important procurement dates for the end of 2024.
Tell us your views on new Council website
Since its launch at the end of September, the new Council website has received brilliant feedback from across our communities. The IT Services team would like to know what staff think too. Read the Latest News article to learn about the improvements made then share your feedback via the online survey.
Travel Smart Reward Card
The Travel Smart Team and Trinity Active Travel Hub have reintroduced the Active Travel Reward Card Scheme. Find out how to register and get rewards via the Latest News article.
Staff information and training sessions
Find out about training, staff benefits and initiatives, in our round-up of the latest staff training and information sessions, updated weekly. This week it includes news of November’s Trans Awareness training with Terrence Higgins Trust – more info in the Latest News article and upcoming NEST information sessions on neurodevelopmental difference.
Share your stories for Winter Staff Talk
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the latest Autumn edition of Staff Talk – our quarterly staff magazine. If you have a good news or staff recognition story you would like to share, email: communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for your chance to be featured in the Winter edition – landing early December.
That’s all for now
If you have any updates you would like the team to share, please click the button below to email the Communications team. Your updates will be required by midday on Friday this week. Email: communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk