joyce to lead council forward

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NOVEMBER 2011
YOUR
VIEWS
COUNT!
The Corporate Management Team are currently considering
a number of ideas submitted by employees during the recent
staff roadshows.
These included a strong feeling
from staff that the schools estate
needs to be reduced and that
better use of the Council’s assets
needs to be made in order
to deliver the scale of savings
required in the future.
Investing in technology and developing
modern and flexible ways of working were
also believed to be important to help
mobilise the workforce in more effective
and productive ways.
A total of 600 staff participated in eight
workshops held across West Dunbartonshire, in what was the second year the
Council has undertaken an employee
consultation.
Those attending heard directly
from the Executive Directors on
how the Council had achieved savings
Terry Lanagan, Executive Director
for Educational Services,‘every
single idea will be considered’
of over £12m in 2011/12 through better
financial management and more efficient
work practices. They also explained how
they had responded to the feedback from
the previous year’s consultation in a
number of ways such as introducing the
Christmas closure and reducing the use of
consultants.
“These events were once
again very worthwhile”
Speaking on behalf of the CMT Terry
Lanagan, Executive Director for Educational Services, said: “These events were
once again very worthwhile, both in terms
of allowing us to speak directly to a large
section of our workforce, but also because
we were able to collect so much valuable
feedback on how to continue to improve.
“There were many positive comments
about increased flexible working, the steps
being taken to reduce sickness absence,
and the successful centralisation of some
services. At the same time we also have
to acknowledge that staff felt the scale and
pace of change across the Council had
caused anxiety, and that there was a need
for better communication between staff
and managers on these important developments.
“In total 400 ideas have been submitted
and every single one will be considered by
the CMT as part of our discussions to
develop a draft Council budget plan and
options for elected members to decide
upon.”
Look out for future updates on how
your input has influenced Council plans
A pair of
match
tickets
to see
Rangers
P8
Talk reaches
dizzy heights! P8
JOYCE T O LEAD
COUNCIL FORWARD
Joyce has been visiting a range of services in her new role,
including meeting residents at Langcraigs Care Home
with Home Manager Wilma MacCorquodale.
New Chief Executive Joyce White believes the Council is in good shape to
manage the future financial challenges
and is encouraging staff to continue to
search for ways to improve services.
Joyce was appointed Chief Executive following
the retirement of David McMillan and began in post
this month.
The former Executive Director for Corporate
Services is looking to use her experience in local government and in senior roles at Infratil Airports Europe
to ensure the Council maintains recent improvements.
“There are a number of
opportunities for this Council”
Joyce said: “I was honoured and delighted to be
offered the Chief Executive’s position, and in my new
role my focus has already shifted to the important
business of making sure this Council is as successful
as it can be. We have made a lot of progress in the
last couple of years, and that has been recognised by
Audit Scotland, however we can’t stand still and I
have asked the Executive Directors to explore and
identify new ways of working where we can improve
services and save money.
“This Council is ahead of many local authorities
in terms of finding innovative solutions to reduce
public sector funding - with the securitisation strategy
a great example - but we need to constantly challenge
ourselves by asking ‘is this the best way of doing
things’ or ‘does this give residents the best value for
money’.
“There are a number of opportunities for this
Council to capitalise on in coming years - particularly
in terms of regeneration and employability - so it is
an exciting time to be working with our Executive
team to be driving this authority forward.”
2
WHAT NOW
Got any stories or news? Let Corporate Communications know at [email protected]
The number of grit
bins available to
residents in West
Dunbartonshire to
grit their roads, paths and pavements.
The Council is currently looking
to increase this number due to the
severe winters over the last couple
of years.
205
The number
of children
who used our
leisure facilities during
the school holidays this year.
19,315
The number of people
who attended this
year’s Old Kilpatrick
Gala Day.The attendance was up on previous years
due to some great entertainment
and also the good weather on the day.
400
1,256,850
The number of times pupils
attended breakfast clubs last year.
Children are welcome each morning
from 8am onwards and receive a
healthy breakfast. The children
then have the opportunity to
brush their teeth and play some
table top games.
£100,000
The amount of money the Council
recently spent helping to regenerate Dumbarton Town Centre.This
included a series of improvements
to the B listed Glencairn House in
Dumbarton High Street, which is
the oldest house in the whole of
West Dunbartonshire, and work
on Riverside Lane such as painting
and re-pointing walls, removing
weeds and resurfacing the footpath.
The number of
times Talk was
downloaded from
the intranet by
staff. The popularity of the
download option has allowed us
to reduce the number printed to
keep costs as low as possible. We
usually receive around 50 entries
for our Talk competitions - see
this month’s prizes on P8 to win a
pair of Rangers tickets and a £30
voucher for Frankie and Benny’s.
FOR SHARED
SERVICES?
The Council’s decision to withdraw from the Clyde
Valley Shared Services project along with East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and South Lanarkshire has ended
talk of creating a large multi-Council agency to deliver
efficiency savings.
Community Health and Care Partnership
with the NHS has been a successful example
of how local solutions can be found for
West Dunbartonshire that deliver plenty
of benefits to residents and our organisations.
However, the prospect of West Dunbartonshire working with other
“There is certainly potential for more partnership working, either
organisations in the future will continue to be explored.
with local public and third sector organisations or with neighbouring
In taking their unanimous decision to end the Council’s involvement in
authorities like East Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute who we have much
the Clyde Valley project, Councillors agreed “that there was far more
in common with and collaborate regularly.
potential in seeking local, bespoke partnership
“Staff and residents should be reassured
solutions for service delivery that can protect
about
the direction of this work. Councillors
“Staff and residents should
the quality of service while providing better
have made it clear that we will only progress
value for money for the tax payers of West
be reassured about the
shared service work that can improve services
Dunbartonshire.”
- not simply create savings.”
direction
of
this
work”
Officers have since been instructed to develop alternative proposals which best suit the
needs of West Dunbartonshire and its residents.
Chief Executive Joyce White said: “The Councillors looked at the Clyde
Valley proposals and agreed that they weren’t in the best interests of this
area, or our staff at this time and so took the clear decision to withdraw.
“However, closer working with other organisations to improve services
and deliver savings is still something we are actively exploring. The
COUNCIL READY FOR WINTER
673
1,134,567
The number of cartons of free
milk ordered for primary pupils.
Academics and nutritionists agree
that drinking milk and having a
good lunch helps school children’s
concentration and allows them to
reach a higher standard of educational attainment.
The team are ready for winter
The Council’s Ready for Winter campaign began this
month to inform residents about plans for dealing with
extreme winter weather and how they can play their
part in keeping the area moving.
Amongst the actions taken this year, the Council has more than trebled
its stocks of salt ahead of winter operations to 6,500 tonnes, and will
continue to treat nearly 70% of the local road network as a priority during
severe weather - a far higher figure than most local authorities in Scotland.
The Council’s extensive footway treatment programme - acknowledged
as one of the most proactive in the country - has also been retained with
a focus on major urban shopping areas, access to and from sheltered housing
complexes, railways, schools, hospitals, and steep hills on main routes.
For the first time, during extreme weather the Council’s website will
also feature daily updates on weather forecasts and gritting activity.
Residents will also be able to access maps showing which roads have
been judged ‘priority’ and will be gritted first, as well as where to find their
nearest grit bin.
Social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook will also
be available for the first time to provide real time updates for
residents on school closures
and service disruptions
direct to their smart phones
or home computers. This
should save them the
trouble of calling the
school directly or the
Council’s Contact Centre.
Efforts are also being
made to support residents
to help themselves during
these difficult times. Salt
will be made available at
depots to help individuals
keep their driveways and
nearby footways clear
The Council
and passable.
ha
its salt stocks s trebled
this year
More information is
available on the Council’s
website homepage.
Keep up-to-date during winter weather on
the Council’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
FIRST NEW
COUNCIL
HOMES IN
23 YEARS
What you told us - read the staff survey results on P4
VIEWPOINT
Chief Executive
Joyce White
Moving
forward
together
Hello,
I would like to begin by welcoming you to the November
edition of Talk which is full of
recent news and highlights a
number of successes by various
Council teams.
The Council will shortly begin building its first new homes in
23 years after the Government agreed to fund the construction
of 75 council homes across West Dunbartonshire.
In total, 15 units will be built at Miller Road in Haldane,
24 units will go up in Granville Street, Clydebank
and 36 units will be constructed at Valeview
Terrace, Dumbarton.The units will be a mix of semidetached homes, cottage flats and terrace homes.
so to get 75 new homes given the go-ahead on the first round of
bidding is a real show of faith in this Council by the Government.
“These three areas are all key regeneration sites for the Council
and so this investment is going into exactly where we need it most.
“I’d like to congratulate officers from across the
Council for doing such a great job of putting together
The Council will receive a grant of
three solid bids that have
£2,250,000 from the Scottish Government’s
“This is a real show of secured this unprecedented
Innovation and Investment Fund which was
housing investment. The
faith in this Council”
set up to provide affordable housing across
construction of these units will
Scotland.
transform areas across our authority and contribute to
The 75 new homes will cost up to £7.7 million to build with the
improving the housing options for tenants.”
rest of the investment coming from the Council.
Helen Turley, Head of Housing and
Helen Turley, Head of Housing and Community Safety, said: “It is
Community Safety, “ the units will
23 years since council housing was last built in West Dunbartonshire
transform areas across our authority”
JUSTICE SECRETARY PRAISES GET YOUR
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE FLU JAB
Council employees are
being encouraged to
protect themselves from
seasonal flu by getting
the preventative jab before winter strikes.
The Council was delighted to
welcome Justice Secretary Kenny
MacAskill to Clydebank High
School last month to help launch
a new educational initiative aimed
at reducing knife carrying among
Scotland’s young people.
The Council was the first in Scotland to
launch the On A Knife Edge education resource,
through its own roadshow which seeks to move
the No Knives Better Lives campaign into local
schools and challenge pupils to reflect on the
legal and emotional consequences of knife crime.
Mr MacAskill praised the ongoing efforts to
eradicate knife crime in the area and welcomed Kenny MacAskill pictured with pupils from
Clydebank High School and Dumbarton Academy
the new programme as another important step
to assisting early intervention and prevention.
Janice Winder and Ronnie Harper, from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Safety services, organised the
co-ordinating group for the visit and said: “It was fantastic to
get the support of the Justice Secretary to come down to
Clydebank and kick-off the launch of this new initiative.
We’ve done a lot of hard work in recent years in West
Dunbartonshire to combat this problem through projects
such as the Midnight League football evenings, and we’re now
grateful for the support of local teachers to push forward
this initiative in the classrooms.”
lors and police
Staff, councilth
e launch at
celebrate Hi
School
Clydebank gh
For more information visit:
www.noknivesbetterlives.com
3
The flu jab is free and is a quick
and effective
way to protect against
the virus. It is
available now
from GPs
and healthcare centres
and is particularly
recommended for staff who
suffer from heart or lung problems
or have a long-term condition
such as diabetes.
Catching the flu isn’t just an unpleasant experience - it can have
serious consequences and even
be potentially fatal if you are
pregnant or have underlying health
conditions such as asthma.
If you think you may be at risk
simply contact your GP surgery to
arrange an appointment.
For more information visit:
immunisationscotland.org.uk
In what is my first column since being
appointed to my new role as Chief Executive
I would just like to briefly say how much I
am looking forward to working with you
all to build on this Council’s recent success.
After working in West Dunbartonshire for
nearly four years I know as well as anyone
how fortunate we are to have such a committed and dedicated staff who regularly go
above and beyond to provide high quality
services to our residents. It is because of
this passion that I am convinced we are in a
strong position to continue to improve as
an organisation, despite the financial restrictions being placed upon the public sector.
I would also like to acknowledge at this
point our Corporate Management Team
colleagues, Elaine Melrose, Terry Lanagan
and Keith Redpath. Their support, experience and skills will be essential to assist me
in this new role and this well developed
leadership team ensures the Council is in
good hands as we move forward.
“I visited Langcraigs Care
Home and I’d just like to
say how impressed I was
with the set up”
My preferred style is to be open, honest,
inclusive and a good listener. I hope I will
present myself in this way as I operate as
Chief Executive.
There are a number of Council services
which I haven’t had involvement with in my
previous role, and I’m keen to rectify that
as quickly as possible so I can take informed
decisions in the years ahead. As a result I
have been getting out and about as much as
possible in the past few weeks, meeting
staff and seeing things with my own eyes.
As part of this process I visited Langcraigs
Care Home in Dumbarton last month
where I had the opportunity to meet
managers, care workers, cleaners, cooking
staff and speak with the residents and
visitors. It was a fantastic couple of hours
and I’d just like to say how impressed I was
with the set up and operation, and what a
great advert it was for our Residential and
Care Home services.
I look forward to introducing myself to
more of you in the coming months and
hearing in greater detail the ways you
believe we can work together to develop
this Council’s future.
Best wishes
Joyce and the staff at Langcraigs Care Home
4
Q
WHAT YOU
TOLD US
Got any stories or news? Let Corporate Communications know at [email protected]
Strictly
or
X Factor?
I prefer the X Factor as it’s
good fun and
I watch it with
my daughter
who also
enjoys it.
Brenda Watson,
Admin Officer
I love Strictly Come Dancing
and went to see the live show
in Glasgow. I love
seeing the
progression
the dancers
make and I like
that people don’t
take themselves
too seriously.
Jennifer McDiarmid,
Early Education and Child Care
Outreach Worker
I much prefer X Factor. I love
the auditions
and seeing
how bad some
people are.
People are
deluded, thinking
they’re talented.
Karen Conaghan,
School Travel Co-ordinator
I prefer the X Factor and love the
auditions. Hearing
the people who
‘think’ they can
sing but clearly
can’t. I thought
the Irish girl on
the first show was
fantastic. Linda O’Dell,
HR & OD Administrator
I don’t like either. These
programmes are
about people
making a fool
of themselves.
And Strictly
Come Dancing
has too much
prancing around for me!
Mark Bailey, Desktop Assistant
I prefer the X Factor and the
best part is the
auditions. The
bad singers on
the show make
me sound good!
Stuart Gallie,
Council Officer
The recent employee survey has found that 69% of staff have a
good understanding of how their service is performing and 75%
are motivated to see the Council be successful.
In total there were
1,500 responses to
the survey and
amongst the other
positives was the
fact that despite
the challenging
financial situation
facing all local
authorities,
82% of our
s t a f f
said
they
enjoyed their
day-to-day job
and 83% were
proud of the
service they deliver.
Since the last survey
in 2009 the Council
has undertaken many
targeted improvement
activities to help improve
leadership, increase face-to-face communication, and ensure there is regular consultation with staff. This has been credited with
WHAT A TWEET!
West Dunbartonshire Council took part in the first
ever national Twitter campaign last month as
28 of Scotland’s
Councils showcased
the
breadth
of
services provided by
local authorities.
The event was called
‘What We Do’ and involved
thousands of tweets being
sent out describing frontline
services at work.
In West Dunbartonshire’s
case that meant telling our followers things like how the school kitchens
were busy serving lunch to over 5,550 pupils, or that the Contact Centre
had answered 1092 calls in one day.
The feedback suggests the campaign was a success with a nearly 20%
rise in followers recruited during the campaign and positive
comments from elected members, staff, and the media.
Corporate Communications would like to thank all the
services who helped us record a
available
snapshot of what our
il’s tweets is
t of the Councder Council News.
lis
ll
fu
A
authority does during a
et un
on the intran
24-hour period.
helping staff morale improve to 56%,
an increase of 31%, and a similar
improvement of 58% feeling their
contribution is valued.
There were also some
areas where we need to make
a greater effort. The results
convey a strong message that
the level of change happening across the Council is creating uncertainty for
many people. Our staff want more reassurance on the Council’s future
plans and challenges and more explanation on the reasons behind any
planned change, through open and regular communication. This is seen as
vital to help staff feel involved and listened to in future decisions affecting
them and their service.
Angela Terry, Organisational Development Manager, said: “The survey
results gives us all a real opportunity to step beyond just ‘doing a survey’
and act on staff feedback around the issues we are most concerned about.
Everything we do must make a difference and that includes how we
motivate and engage.”
The full survey results are available to staff in the special newsletter
published this month and the Corporate Management Team and
senior managers have already begun the process of developing
an improvement plan. Staff will continue to receive regular
updates on how the Council is acting on their feedback
and more information on the steps being taken to support
improvement.
Angela Terry, Organisational Development Manager,
‘everything we do must make a difference’
COUNCIL STRIKES GOLD
IN HEALTHY WORKING
LIVES AWARD
West Dunbartonshire has
become one of just nine
Staff involved
Councils in Scotland to be
Working Live in The Healthy
s project show
awarded the prestigious
off the gold aw
ard
Gold Award from the
Scottish Centre for Healthy health and wellbeing enhances
Working Lives.
employees’ sense of being valued,
The Gold award follows continuous improvement in this area by
the Council after picking up a Bronze
award in 2007 and Silver in 2009.
To successfully achieve Gold, the
Council had to demonstrate its long
term commitment to improving the
health and wellbeing of its staff.
An example of this was working
with staff to introduce a range of
initiatives to inspire and educate the
workforce to lead healthier lives.
The Council considers its employees to be its principal asset and
evidence has shown that improving
raises morale, impacts positively on
staff retention and recruitment and
reduces sickness absence levels thus
improving productivity and socially
responsible working practices.
Chief Executive, Joyce White,
said “I am delighted the Council has
been recognised for our commitment to looking after the health
of our staff. It is important to me
that staff know their health and
wellbeing is valued by the Council
and I would like to thank everyone
involved in achieving this prestigious
award."
Find out who would like to be in the Prime Minister’s shoes for one day on P6
MEDIA
IN THE
5
We round up where the Council
has been featured in the past
few months...
LEISURE TRUST LAUNCH
The new Leisure Trust will provisionally launch in April 2012 with
up to 100 Council staff and the management of a number of buildings
transferring to the new organisation.
The Trust will be a separate not-forprofit charitable organisation set up
by the Council to manage a range of
leisure facilities, and will have its
own Board made up of elected
members and community representatives.
The services that may be joining the Leisure
Trust include those working in Leisure Centres,
Halls, Active Schools, Sports Development,
Outdoor Education and Administrative Support.
All will transfer under Transfer of Undertakings
(Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE)
which means their terms and conditions, and
It is hoped that as a charity it will be able to pension arrangements will stay the same.
save an estimated £615,000 a year in non domestic
rates and it is anticipated that some of this money “The Trust will improve our
may be ploughed back into improving facilities and
services to our residents”
increasing participation.
After a year of planning the Council is now
Ronnie Dinnie, Head of Neighbourhood Services,
close to finalising an outline business case for sub- said: “The Leisure Trust work is gathering pace
mission to a future Housing, Environmental and now as we approach our provisional launch date
Economic Development Committee. A number in April next year. We’ve spoken to staff to give
of staff roadshows have also been undertaken to them a clearer idea of what is happening and
ensure staff understand what is happening.
reassure them that their terms and conditions will
stay exactly the same.
“This is a great opportunity for the Council
and staff, and we believe that if carried out
successfully it will improve services to our
residents. Evidence from the 14 Scottish local
authorities that have their own Leisure Trusts,
suggests that Trust status allows management
to focus more single-mindedly on developing
successful Leisure services for the benefit of
customers”.
Some of the facilities included in the Leisure
Trust will be the Council’s three main leisure
centres at Vale of Leven, Meadow Centre and Play
Drome, and a number of community facilities such
as the Alexandria CE Centre, Dumbarton Burgh
Hall and The Hub in Clydebank.
Contact Allan Moyes on ext 608426 for more info
STAFF BID FAREWELL TO HEAD OF FINANCE NEW COUNCIL
The
Council
waved
goodbye to one of its
longest serving officers
earlier this year when
Head of Finance and ICT,
David Connell retired
after 40 years in Local
Government.
David, 58, started his career in
1971 as a trainee accountant in the
Town Chamberlain's department
of the Burgh of Port Glasgow,
where he earned the princely sum
of £13 a week. His early duties included walking to the bank to uplift
cash for the weekly wages, cash
collection of Police Fines and maintenance of the hospitality drinks
cabinet in the town hall.
David moved on to Renfrew
County Council in 1974 where he
stayed until the first local government reorganisation in 1975, and
then transferred into Strathclyde
Regional Council in Paisley. He then
moved within Strathclyde Region to
Garshake Road in Dumbarton in
1987 and following the second
reorganisation in 1996 opted to
stay and join West Dunbartonshire
Council.
David said: “My career has been
varied and along the way I’ve met
some wonderfully talented people
and without their support and
friendship, I would not have been
able to enjoy the career that I
have.”
In his retirement David, who
once dreamed of becoming a
sports presenter and travelling
around the world reporting
on matches, plans to
continue supporting his beloved
Greenock Morton, play more golf,
and also research his family tree.
Joyce White, his former manager,
said: “David is a well respected
colleague not just in West Dunbartonshire but across local government
in Scotland. He’ll be greatly missed
and we all wish him a long and
happy retirement.”
David Connell
pictured with
his secretary
Mary McQuilkie
WEBSITE COMING
The Council’s new website is
currently in development and
should be ready for launch by
March 2012.
The site will have a completely updated look and feel and offer a range of
new features such as online mapping to
show where schools, leisure centres or
other Council services are based.
Look out for updates in the coming
weeks on how to get trained to upload
information to the new site, and also
guidance on what information should be
placed on the new website.
For further information at this
stage contact:
malcolm.bennie@
west-dunbarton.gov.uk
or call ext. 737187
BBC Scotland filmed the Council’s
initiative to establish ‘no cold calling
zones’ to deter bogus callers and
protect residents. They visited a
new zone in Clydebank where
they interviewed David McCulloch
of Trading Standards and Scott
McClelland of the Public Reassurance Team.
Jim McAloon, Head of Regeneration
and Economic Development, was
interviewed for a feature on plans
to ‘breathe life into Clydebank. He
told them: “It’s an exciting time for
the town. Tesco has a good track
record of making sure people
from the area they’re building in
get the jobs, so if the proposed
plans happen we are confident
people from Clydebank will reap
the benefits in employment.”
As part of a report on what is
being done to protect town centre
high streets during tough economic
times, the BBC visited Dumbarton
to highlight the Shopjacket project.
It involves fixing attractive shopfront images to the outside of
empty stores to give the appearance
that they are open for business.The
project has helped lease one vacant
site and attracted interest in another.
Trading Standards Officer, Tony
Cairns, was interviewed to highlight
a cash scam operating in the area.
Residents were warned to be on
their guard after reports fraudsters
were notifying residents informing
them they had won money in a
lottery or had an insurance policy
that had been discovered.
In a report on her appointment as
Chief Executive, Joyce White told
the BBC: “We face a number of
challenges, but I am confident that
my years of experience in senior
leadership roles and my knowledge
of this Council's finances will enable
us to deliver a first-class service."
Peter Clyde, Licencing Standards
Officer, was interviewed as part
of a special report on the
Council’s enforcement of new
licensing regulations.The Challenge
25 policy means anyone who
looks under 25 years old will have
to prove their ID. Peter said: “It
is not a slight on your character,
if anything it is a compliment.”
60 HOLLYWOOD
6
Win a pair of match tickets to see Rangers P8
SECONDS
WITH...
JOE GOLDIE
Welfare Rights Officer
Macmillan Cancer Relief
What’s your favourite hobby?
I’ve got a 8 month old son so there’s
not much time for hobbies now.
Does changing a nappy count?
Describe your perfect day.
Spending the day with my family and
maybe a pint of Guinness or two!
What’s your favourite holiday
destination? The bit I saw of South
Africa was amazing.
If you could only take
two things on holiday
with you what would it
be? My I-pod and
factor 50 suncream.
What did you want to be
when you were growing up?
A footballer for Celtic. I think
there’s still time!
What’s the best piece of advice
you’ve ever been given?
You need to have lows in your
life to fully appreciate the highs.
Also, you’re never going to play for
Celtic so get a proper job!
Who would you most
like to have dinner with?
My wife of course, but if she
couldn’t make it, I suppose
I could make do with
Eva Mendez if she fancied
a bite to eat in the
Abbotsford!
What do you enjoy most about
your job? Working with Macmillan
Cancer Relief has been an eye
opener and helps put things in
perspective in my own life. I enjoy
being able to help people at times
when they need it most.
If you could live someone else’s life for one
day, who would it be and
why? The Prime Minister give me a day and I’d sort
a few things out.
What’s your favourite film?
Depends on my mood. I recently
watched the remake of True Grit
which was excellent.
If you could invent something to
make your life easier, what
would it be? I’d clone myself so I
could do two things at once. I struggle
with doing one thing at the minute
(I thought I’d say that before
someone else did!)
CALLS FOR SANDRA
EVELYN
MCNIFF
Few people can say
they’ve been within
touching distance of one
of Hollywood’s greatest
big screen heart throbs,
but Sandra Brysland can
after she was chosen to be
an extra on Brad Pitt’s new
Hollywood
blockbuster,
World War Z.
Sandra, who works on Quality
Improvement at the Council, spotted
an advert on the BBC webpage to star
in a Brad Pitt fim, and decided to give
it a go.The part up for grabs was for an
office worker, so she was wore a suit to
the audition at Caledonian University,
had her photo taken, then a couple of weeks later
found out she’d been successful.
She said: “The days on set at George Square in
Glasgow were long and tiring - we started at 6am, had
some breakfast, then started filming around 7.45am but
didn’t finish until 7 or 8pm. None of the extras playing
office workers needed to go into make-up because our
scenes were shot far enough away from the camera.
“On day one we did 92 takes of office workers running
away from gunfire, dodging police motorbikes. We had
to re-do the scenes again and again because 300 extras
running all over the place was pretty chaotic! I saw
g away from gunfire
Sandra, above, runnin
elphia’
in the ‘streets of Philad
Brad doing his scene in a car pile up - he looks as good
in the flesh as he does on TV. On day two a car crash
stunt was filmed - it looked pretty amazing.”
“I never wanted to be an actress, “ said Sandra.
“I just fancied trying something different and thought
it would be funny to be able to say I’d been in a Brad
Pitt movie.”
You can try and spot Sandra on the big
screen when the zombie film is released in
cinemas next year.
Sandra Brysland waits for filming to begin
d
n
a
e
m
T
E
P
Y
M
David Macnaughton
Clerical Assistant
Community Planning & Policy
Here is my new pal Timmy.
He’s a black labrador/collie cross.
After some three or four years of
pestering by my daughter for us to get a
dog we eventually relented and he is now
the new addition to our family.
Timmy celebrated his first birthday on
1 October and is a very lively boy. He was a
rescue dog from the Milton Animal Home
and Rescue Centre and has been with us for around 12 weeks. It is hard to understand how anyone could
not love him and he just dotes on the kids and likes nothing better than being the centre of attention.
He has settled in to his new home very quickly and it already feels as though he has been with us for years.
It’s early days yet to say what memories we have of him but when you mention
“walkies” he heads straight to the kitchen cupboard and comes back with his lead
in his mouth. He likes nothing more than a long walk along the shore from
Havoc to Levengrove Park where he can let off some energy running around
chasing the birds (sounds a bit like me many years ago).
He is also a great friend and is good company in the house when you
are by yourself, curling up at your feet or nestling up beside you on the settee.
We all look forward to many more happy years ahead
together and hope that he has found the settled home
that he so deserves.
at:
Let us know
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it
b
to
e
v
a pet you lo
rton.gov.uk
Do you haviceations@west-dunba
commun
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ab o u t
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Senior Library Assistant,
Evelyn McNiff has recently
celebrated 35 years service
with the Council.
Evelyn started her career in
1976 by working as a kennel maid
which she thoroughly enjoyed as
she loves animals. She liked her
Saturday job so much she had
hoped to train as a vet but as a
young teenager she was far too
busy having fun in her social life to
return to education.
At the age of 17 and on the Job
Creation Scheme, Evelyn started
with the Council in August 1976
and was made permanent later in
the year when a member of staff
left. 35 years on Evelyn recalls the
changes she has seen during her
time.
When she first started in the
library, books were given out and
had little cards to file and a card
catalogue. Now, like everything
else all the information is computerised, which is much faster and
easier to operate than the card
system.
Evelyn has some fond memories
of her colleagues over the years
and also the many characters that
pop in for a visit.
Evelyn said: “I thoroughly enjoy
my job, as no two days are the
same. I get to meet lots of interesting people who use the library
and with the changes over the
years, we can now help people
research their family history and
lend not only books but CDs and
DVDs and assist learners on the
computer.”
She added: “ I am moving back
to the branch in Duntocher that
I started out in 35 years ago. Now
I wish I’d written a book of the
people I have met over the years, it
would be a best seller!”
35 years’
Evelyn celebrates agues
service with colle
FREE VOUCHERS
0
5
£
WORTH STAFF!
Need ideas for Christmas presents? Check out Webwatch on P8
FOR ALL
Staff can get their hands on vouchers worth £50 in return for spending
just five minutes filling in this year’s Communications Survey
Every employee who fills in the annual survey will receive
vouchers for 2-for-1 at Cardross Golf Club, a free child
ticket for the Glasgow Science Centre (with a full price
adult), and 20% off local beauty treatments.
Glasgow Sc
ience
There’s also a prize draw to win a fantastic beauty experience worth £60.
The survey can be filled in at work or home at:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/W5QVJQS
Hard copies can be requested from Corporate Communications on ext. 7187.
Centre
Cardross Golf Club
MY DAY
7
TALK TALKS TO...
Martin Keeley
Environmental Health
Team Leader
Few roles at the Council
can be quite as varied as
an Environmental Health
Officer with much of your
time spent out and about
meeting people, offering
support and advice, taking
action and negotiating.
Martin Keely is a team leader
and he and his colleagues are
responsible for protecting public
health in West Dunbartonshire.
His team specialises in commerThe survey will build on feedback from the recent staff roadshows to
cial work and contains a number of
differently qualified but highly skilled
determine how best to improve Council-wide communications in the future.
individuals delivering statutory
Malcolm Bennie, Corporate Communications Manager, said:
services to protect public health.
“We really value feedback from staff on our communications treatments MMartin,
has worked at the
the intranet, Talk, Graphic Design, Marketing and the Press
ondawho
y -around
Thursdsixaymonths,
Council for
Office - and the results of this survey will play a big part
e
n
i
said: “Our remit is pretty wide
Deadl ,
in determining where we focus our energy in the next
includes food safety and food
Dec 1
tr
12 months. Hopefully the attractive vouchers we’ve been
e
atmentsand
Whispering
F
ri
day &inspections,
standards
W
1
ill
Saturday sampling
able to offer will help ensure as many people fill it in
201
Beauty Salo ows
n
foodstuffs
and
responding to
as possible.”
service requests from the public.
Please notify the salon of the voucher discount when booking your
Weyour
also
deal
Health
and
treatment and present
WDC ID
at thewith
appointmen
t.
Safety inspections and investigaWHISPER
ING WILL
tions, licensing issues and protectOWS, HEA
LTH & BE
ing the living standards, health &
AUT Y SAL
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ARTON, G
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“Other areas covered
The Corporate Procurement Team
Environmental
Health
include
have devoted themselves to a charity
checking the quality of the
fundraising challenge to help support
drinking
water supply, assessing
a number of charities throughout the
sites for contaminated land, air
UK and have so far raised over £500.
quality control, vehicle emission
house and electro with a
testing, pest control, dangerous
touch of techno which will
dogs, noise control, blue green
keep listeners entertained
algae, stagnant water and even
as they get ready for their
complaints about seagulls.
weekend.
James, who has DJ-ed
“Providing a service
all over Scotland, says he
that improves the quality
loves playing a set that
of people’s lives is a
gives his listeners energy
clear reward”
The Corporate Procurement Team
through his music.
The team raised over £150 for The SmileTrain
For Martin, the most rewarding
James said: “I have
Charity
which funds cleft surgery and £150 for the
part of his job is having sorted
always loved music and got
‘500 Miles’ charity which was set up to provide
out someone’s problem, or having
my first set of decks when
improved their circumstances.
prosthetic limbs and medical back-up to communities
I was 11 years old. I’m
“Working with people who find
in
Malawi
and
Zambia
and
£150
for
the
Africa
d
e
JD
inspired
by
lots
of
DJs
but
s
a
laven h
themselves
in difficult times either
Appeal
to
help
people
affected
by
severe
drought.
James Sver Scotland
the master for me is Sven
all o
through
poor
rented housing,
CLIC
Sargent,
which
cares
for
children
with
cancer,
Vath. I’m inspired by the fact that he started off
suffering
from
noisy
neighbours
also
received
£65.
from nothing and made his name purely by
or even something like a contamCouncil plumber, James Slaven playing music.”
The team is on a mission to raise awareness and
inated private water supply can be
is one of West
funds for a variety of charities and would like to
He added: “I hope people
difficult”, he said. “However, proencourage other departments to do the same.
Dunbartonshire’s
tune in to the Saturday
viding a service that informs and
Jenna
Kolodziej
says:
“It
can
be
fun
and
it’s
a
great
best techno DJs
show and they enjoy
improves the quality of people’s
excuse for team building. In our office we have
and has been spinlistening to the music
lives is a clear reward and I think
cappuccino Fridays where everyone takes a turn at
just as much as I enjoy
ning tracks partmy colleagues feel the same way.”
bringing in cakes and we hold a raffle with all
playing it.”
time for almost 20
Given a choice Martin would
proceeds going to charity. It’s nice for people
choose the same career: “I believe
years.
to see the good they
To download James’s recent mixes for free, visit:
in what I do, I enjoy it and hope to
Talented James has his own slot on local
www.podmatic.com/profile/jamesslaven
can do.”
your bit?
do
to
e
Lik
contribute to making changes for
station Your Radio. Every second Saturday on
or visit official facebook page
the better.”
www.facebook.co./slaveofficial
the Club Classics show he plays a mix of
Contact Jenna Kolodziej on 01389 737833
“We really value feedback from
staff on our communications”
COUNCIL PLUMBER
HITS THE AIRWAVES
“I’m inspired by lots
of DJs but the master for
me is Sven Vath”
Present this voucher and receive:
CHARITY FUNDRAISING
CHALLENGE
CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF
THE WORLD
8
Don’t miss the next edition of Talk due out in February
Council officer treks up Everest for charity
Anti-Social behaviour officer Colin Campbell
faced temperatures of -20 degrees, suffered
altitude sickness and a lack of oxygen but still
claims his trek to Everest Base camp was the
best experience of his life.
Even though the pain is still fresh in his memory Colin
is now able to laugh about the ordeal and says he would
definitely consider doing it all over again!
Colin, a dedicated fundraiser for Yorkhill Children’s Hospital,
signed up for the challenge to walk in the freezing conditions
to the world-famous Everest Base Camp in Napal with his
partner to raise much need funds for the hospital.
During his gruelling 10-day trek which started in Lukla in
the Himalayas mountain range, Colin climbed to an altitude of
17,598ft. Although he suffered horrendous altitude sickness,
was violently sick, lost his appetite and was affected by
sleep deprivation, he successfully battled on to complete the
journey.
Colin told Talk: “I’ve always wanted to do an overseas
charity trek but never really knew where I wanted to go until
this opportunity came up.
“There were times during my trip, especially when I was
suffering from the altitude sickness, when I questioned my
!
N
I
W
sanity, but I can honestly say I’m
so proud of what I’ve achieved.
This was the best experience of
my life and when we finally
reached the base camp, I felt a
wonderful sense of achievement.
I’ll also never forget the stunning
scenery and fantastic local
people who I would say are the
nicest I have ever met.”
Colin, who has raised over
£6,500 for Yorkhill, began
fundraising after his
8-year-old cousin was
diagnosed with cancer.
The hospital’s dedication care and attention
inspired Colin to start
raising funds to give
something back to
the wonderful staff
who
nursed
his
cousin.
Colin proudly displays ‘Tal
k’ at
Everest Base camp
RANGERS TICKETS!
We’ve teamed up with Rangers Football Club to
offer one lucky member of staff the chance to win a
pair of match tickets to see the Light Blues take on
Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League
match at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday 18 February,
kick-off 3pm.
To win the £30 voucher simply tell us
what year the Dumbarton restaurant
opened. Answers to be emailed to:
communications@
west-dunbarton.gov.uk or posted
to Corporate Communications at
Garshake.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the word
search. There is a word in the list that does not appear in the
grid. If you can find the missing word send it to us at Corporate
Communications, Garshake, or email:
[email protected] by Tuesday 10
January 2012.
D R S E I G T K
E V E M E O K N
KWR D C R A N
O T S S N X E L
O T A F D E K F
B MWU M E F N
R B B P E WT E
P R V P OOO X
H E E E F D E K
U R N F H D S T
NM V A I F K M
V N X S L GW J
H L F QD T B A
B F C UWA Y S
O F F O K C I K
P
J
A
E
E
E
F
D
M
R
Y
L
L
M
E
O G Y
O L S
M S E
S WT
Q X S
HO L
R L F
A M D
V P L
I K E
U G I
P A F
L R D
K T I
R MM
I
E
N
A
R
E
D
C
A
R
D
M
O
P
Q
B
Z
I
I
L
O
A
M
Z
J
Q
S
F
U
Z
T
F
L
E
X
V
A
J
U
R
X
A
X
X
L
BALL
BOOKED
DEFENDER
FOUL
GOALKEEPER
KICK OFF
LINESMAN
MASCOT
MIDFIELD
OFFSIDE
PENALTY
RED CARD
REFEREE
SENT OFF
STRIKER
SUPPORTERS
A range of pre-match activity takes place in the Family Section at each home SPL match where
kids will get the chance to meet their favourite bear Broxi and enjoy lots of fun activity! To purchase
match tickets for Rangers home fixtures please visit rangers.co.uk or Rangers Ticket Centre
or call 0871 702 1972. Booking fees apply. Calls cost 10ppm from a BT landline, mobile and
other providers’ charges may vary.
WEB WATCH
WITH
MICHAEL BUTLER
Trekkers bed down
for the night
It is coming to that time of the year
when we start thinking about buying
Christmas presents for family and
friends, and when the kids want to
know what Santa is up to.The following
websites bring together all the very
best on-line gift websites in the UK
and keep a track on Santa’s whereabouts.
SO MUCH EASIER
www.somucheasier.co.uk
If you want to buy a gift online
in the UK, this website has listed
shops into a number of 'easy-touse' sub categories. In each of
these categories you will find
some great gift ideas which
hopefully will suit your needs.
Just remember to make sure
that you use secure payment
sites when purchasing gifts online.
ian style
The American-Italarton
diner in Dumb
Frankie and Benny’s, the popular
American-Italian style diner, opened
earlier this year in Dumbarton and
to celebrate they are offering a
lucky Talk reader a £30 voucher.
The family friendly restaurant is based at
the St James Retail Park and is open every
day 9am - 11pm apart from Sundays when they
close at 10.30pm.
The chain offers Council staff free soft
drinks with the lunch menu (Mon-Fri) and
10% off main menu food bills at weekends on
the presentation of WDC ID.
NORAD
www.noradsanta.com
For the younger generation that
magical time of the year when
they anticipate the arrival of
Santa Claus is nearly upon us.
Learn about NORAD and how
they track Santa, as well as
Santa's Secrets. Hourly updates
on Santa sightings and Santa's
progress are available in audio.
This site will be available from
December.
COMPETITION WINNER
Congratulations to our Talk
competition winner!
Michael Conroy,
Homeless Officer,
Homeless Section,
won a year’s
golf membership
at the Carrick
THE TEAM
The editorial content of Talk is produced
by the Corporate Communications
Team: Malcolm, Moira, Lesley Anne
and Trish. Photography is undertaken
by David Norwood.
Email: communications
@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Talk is printed on 115gsm Revive
silk paper. Manufactured from
75% recycled content, the
paper is Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC) certified.
Furthermore, Revive 75
is about to be declared
Carbon Neutral®.