May 2021
24 May - Council Leader urges Glasgow to stay the course
The fact Glasgow's Covid infection rates have stayed high and caused the city to stay in level three is "hugely disappointing" according to the Leader of Glasgow City Council Councillor Susan Aitken who met last week with Scotland's Deputy First Minister to make representation on behalf of citizens and businesses in the city.
The Council Leader said: "The way to move the city to level two is to deal with this outbreak. Over the last week, the city has made a huge effort to fight back, by ramping up community testing and vaccination. I really appreciate the positive response we have had from Glaswegians and the huge efforts of staff involved in the work- but these interventions won't work overnight.
"As a city, we have to stay the course and stick to the rules. By doing that, taking regular tests and getting vaccinated, we can get Glasgow back on track."
The council and the city's Health and Social Care Partnership are working together to increase the amount of COVID-19 testing capacity in the areas affected by the current outbreak.
The Covid-19 surge testing team made contact with thousands of households on the southside of the city handing out 15,323 PCR test kits in the worst affected postcode areas over two days last week. This was is in addition to over 50,000 Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) were ordered by individuals in the last week and 32 000 additional LFT kits mailed to all households in the G41 and G42 areas.
Thousands of homes in Pollokshields East and West were visited by teams led by the city's Health and Social Care Partnership. They went door-to-door handing out free PCR testing kits to residents as part of a major operation to try to stem the surge in cases.
Over 15,000 PCR test kits were hand-delivered to addresses in the worst affected southside postcode areas by a team of around 130 Glasgow Home Care staff, NHS nurses, British Red Cross volunteers and contractors who also handed out test kits at Pollokshields East train station and to shoppers at a local cash and carry - encouraging everyone with or without symptoms to get tested.
Pollokshields residents were asked to self-administer the tests in their own homes (not on the doorstep) then drop the kit off for analysis at a network of collection points across the southside. Vulnerable residents are being assisted to carry out tests by nurses from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
In addition, three new mobile testing units have been set up on the southside offering Covid tests to residents and those who work in the area (see below for details).
Almost 32,000 Lateral Flow Tests are also dropping through southside letterboxes after being mailed out to all residents in the G41 and G42 postcode areas by the Covid response team. Everyone without symptoms is being asked to test themselves regularly, as you can have Covid without realising and spread it to other people unintentionally.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is also inviting people aged 18-39 who live in G41, G42, G5, G51 and G52 for Covid jabs at a new vaccination centre set up this week in Glasgow's Central Mosque. Appointment letters and text messages are being sent out by the health board. Please attend for vaccination if contacted. If you have missed an appointment, please rearrange at the earliest opportunity, particularly if you are in one of the priority groups.
Anyone in vaccine priority groups 1-9 who missed their original appointment is being asked to come forward to arrange their vaccination. This includes everyone 50 or over, adults on the shielding list, anyone with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers.
Invitations have been issued to everyone aged 40 or over, with 30 to 39-year-olds starting to be invited now. In the specific areas of Glasgow affected by the current outbreak, all 18 to 39 year-olds are being invited with older age groups first. Please call the national COVID-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to arrange your appointment. Further information on the vaccine and testing can be found at www.NHSinform.scot
Anyone who needs help while self-isolating can phone the Glasgow Helps phoneline on 0141 276 1185 (Freephone 0800 111 4000). Please leave a message if you can't get through and someone will call you back.
Enhanced contact tracing measures are also in place to help contain the virus and prevent onward spread within the community.
Anyone identified as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days and get tested, even if they have been vaccinated.
As appropriate, Test and Protect contact tracers may also request that contacts of close contacts self-isolate and take a test, to help prevent onward spread of the virus, even if they too have been vaccinated.
Mobile test units on the southside are available at the following locations for symptomatic and asymptomatic testing, and the collection of test kits:
Govanhill Community Building, car park by the health centre, 205 Calder St, G42 7DR; open 10am to 5pm
Glasgow Central Mosque, car park, 1 Mosque Avenue, Gorbals, G5 9TA; open noon to 5pm
Overflow car park, Barrland Street, Pollokshields, G41 2PE; 10am to 5pm
Langside Halls, 1 Langside Avenue, G41 2QR, 9.30am to 4pm
Glasgow Club Queens Park Bowls and Tennis Pavilion, Queens Park, G42 8DA, Mon to Fri 9.30am to 6pm; Sat/Sun 9.30 to 5pm
The Quay car park, Springfield Quay, Paisley Road, G5 8NP; 10am to 5pm.
All of the city's local test sites are now available for anyone with or without symptoms.
Full list of locations at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
Tests can be booked by going to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
24 May - City Planners have three projects shortlisted for prestigious award
Congratulations to the Planning and Building Standards team at Neighbourhoods Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS). The team have had three of their projects chosen as finalists for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) National Awards for Excellence in Planning 2021 (UK wide). These are:
Category: Planning for the Natural Environment: Glasgow Open Space Strategy
Over 60% of the Glasgow population live within 500 metres of vacant and derelict land, which can have a negative impact on their collective mental health and wellbeing. Improving the open spaces and delivering nature-based solutions to enhance and increase open space in Glasgow can deliver multiple benefits for society, the economy and the environment.
Glasgow's approach to developing scaled-up nature-based solutions is underpinned by its Open Space Strategy.The strategy aims to ensure well-managed, well located and well-connected open spaces that operate as part of a wider green network in the city. The Open Space Strategy is a statutory Planning document, together with the City Development Plan.
Category: Planning to Deliver Homes (Small Schemes): Holmlea Primary School
The former primary Grade B school closed in 2004 and was on the Buildings at Risk Register. The elegant Edwardian baroque style school was left unused until 2018 when one of the UK's largest housing associations, Home Group, bought it and started the restoration process.
Home Group worked closely with our planning team, and with Anderson Bell Christie architects, Cathcart Housing Association and CCG as the main contractor, to sympathetically restore the school and create 49 affordable homes. The development allowed building contractors CCG to create two new jobs, two trade apprenticeships and seven work placements as well as curriculum support for local schools. Holmlea Primary School
Category: Planning for Health and Wellbeing: Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership (GCRP) - Dundashill and Claypits Local Nature Reserve:
The GCRP, working closely with local communities, is developing a series of attractive indoor and outdoor canal leisure hubs between Port Dundas and Maryhill Locks. The aim is to make the canal the unifying blue / green leisure asset at the heart of the major housing-led regeneration schemes planned for the canal corridor communities. This will boost leisure facilities and healthy living choices to local residents, some within the most deprived areas in Scotland.
The projects include The Loading Bay Skatepark; walkways, viewpoints, and fishing stances at the Claypits Local Nature Reserve; the new Garscube Canal Bridge and a cycle lane at North Canalbank Street, linking into City Centre Avenues and Sighthill.
Sarah Shaw, Business Manager, NRS (Planning and Building Standards) said: "We're absolutely delighted to have our work officially recognised by being shortlisted for these prestigious awards. This is testimony to the commitment and creativity of the planning staff involved and their successful collaboration with the other project partners to achieve the best outcomes for placemaking and wellbeing in Glasgow."
More information
Find out more at RTPI Finalists Brochure
24 May - Spaces for People - have your say
An online consultation survey has opened seeking your views on the Spaces for People physical distancing measures delivered during COVID-19, and whether any should be retained permanently.
Spaces for People in Glasgow has seen significant temporary travel infrastructure implemented across the city to provide additional space in public places for walking, wheeling and cycling. Footways have been widened at pinch points to facilitate safer pedestrian movement and easier access to shops, schools, businesses, community facilities and public transport hubs. Pop-up cycle lanes have also been created to make active travel viable and more convenient for everyday journeys.
Full programme details can be found here.
Why are we consulting?
Spaces for People projects have the potential to help deliver other outcomes unrelated to the pandemic such as:
- encouraging more people to switch to more sustainable ways of travelling such as walking, wheeling or cycling
- supporting businesses by providing more space for people
- improving air quality and reducing carbon dioxide emissions
- improving road safety
- improving health
Before deciding whether to go through the statutory legal processes necessary to make measures permanent, we want to hear your views.
Survey responses will help us better understand how you feel about Spaces for People projects, and any you particularly wish to see retained or removed. Feedback from survey respondents on which measures have worked well, and which perhaps less so, will also be taken on board by the council to help shape future active travel infrastructure planning.
What happens next?
Before deciding which Spaces for People measures to recommend for retention, we'll review all survey responses as part of a monitoring and review process agreed with Sustrans Scotland. This will include the appointment of an independent consultant to consider the infrastructure delivered and make recommendations on which should be kept.
It is proposed that this independent review will take place in the summer and a report presented to the City Administration Committee thereafter.
Take part - deadline 20 June, 2021
You can access the online survey here
The consultation will close on Sunday 20 June 2021.
24 May - Merchant City Festival is set to return this summer
Confirmed to take place between Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 July 2021, the celebrated Glasgow festival will showcase a long weekend of entertainment with outdoor arts, circus, dance and more, brightening up some of Glasgow's best-loved streets and in venues in and around the Merchant City area of the city.
An Opening Carnival celebration, inspired by Baroque Venetian themes, will open the festival in style on Thursday 8 July with pop-up performances in a variety of places. The full programme will be announced in the following weeks.
The 2021 festival will be slightly different to previous years to make sure that current Public Health guidelines are complied with. All events during the festival will continue to be free to attend however due to current restrictions, several of the programmed events will need to be pre-booked online to make sure that numbers are managed in the safest way.
To mark the launch of the 2021 edition, Merchant City retailers and restaurants are being invited to apply to the festival's Get Involved Fund which offers a £500 grant to businesses operating in the area to join in the festival atmosphere and organise some entertainment and cultural activity within or outside their premises during the event.
Premises who are existing licence holders are also being invited to apply to extend their licenced outdoor areas for the duration of the festival so that food and drink provision will be readily available across the festival site. There will be no markets or additional food and drink provisions aside from what is already in operation in the Merchant City this year.
Lorenzo Mele, Merchant City Festival Executive Producer said: "Although the festival offering won't be the same as previous years, the programme will continue to be centred around a rich cultural experience, with community at its heart.
"The Festival will celebrate the best from Scotland and the UK in outdoor performance, covering circus, dance, carnival, music, outdoor theatre and cabaret. While it will look and feel different from previous years, it will still surprise and delight as familiar streets and spaces are transformed by performances and excitement.
"The Festival will continue to support the local businesses in the Merchant City, working closely with them to present performances and encourage a safe return to the cultural heart of the city. We will also continue to explore the difficult history of the area with its roots in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and British colonialism."
Programme details to be announced in the coming weeks.
More information
Find out more at www.merchantcityfestival.co.uk
Programme details to be announced in the coming weeks.
24 May - Rhys raises over £500 from Kiltwalk - and wins a new car!
Rhys Howe, a Digital Administration Assistant at Gateway - part of Education Services, recently had a double success to put a spring in his step!
Manager Adele Bowman, contacted us to tell us about Rhys's success in raising over £500 for Teenage Cancer Trust by completing the Kiltwalk Challenge in April - and also winning a brand new car.
Rhys took part in the challenge to raise funds for the cancer charity after experiencing his own cancer journey as a young child. On his JustGiving page Rhys wrote: "When I was five years old, I was diagnosed with a cancerous malignant brain tumour. It was the most difficult challenge I've faced in my life. I stayed strong, and with the support of family and friends, I fought through it. I was also lucky to have many charities support my family and me at this difficult time. They allowed my mum and sister to not worry about things and concentrate on looking after me."
Adele said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Rhys. A few days after the challenge he was invited to a lunchtime call with the Kiltwalk team, including Sir Tom Hunter, Paul Cooney CEO of Kiltwalk and Eddie Hawthorne Chief Executive/Group Managing Director of Arnold Clark, to share his story of participating in the Kiltwalk challenge.
" At the end of the call, the Managing Director of Arnold Clark informed Rhys that he'd won a brand new Hyundai I20."
Rhys said: "I was absolutely shocked. I hadn't even realized that because I'd entered the event, I'd been entered into a prize draw. And I certainly would never have expected to win.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me on my journey over the years and all my friends, family and colleagues who have donated generously to my charity events including the recent Kiltwalk."
24 May - Be aware of current phishing emails in circulation claiming to be from your senior colleagues
Our IT security team have noticed a recent increase in the number of spoof phishing emails that staff are receiving claiming to be from other Senior Council Officers - particularly from Annemarie O'Donnell, Chief Executive. These messages request an urgent action to be carried out.
On first glance, the email address and signature used may appear to be legitimate and from a senior colleague. However, upon closer inspection you can see that they are fraudulent and are an attempt to attack our IT network and access our data.
Be extra vigilant!
Please take the time to review any emails of this nature that you receive.
These phishing emails contain content that is often urgent in nature, in the hope that you react without taking the time to consider the legitimacy of the email.
Please double check the email origin
To do this you should:
hover your mouse cursor over the name of the 'sender'
you will then see who the email has really been sent from
for example, in these spoof emails, some are being sent from a generic external address, such as 'executivedirector@gmail.com' - this is obviously fraudulent.
Report anything suspicious immediately
If you receive an unprompted email request from a senior officer, you should treat it with suspicion and take time to verify that it is legitimate before responding.
You should not respond or process the request unless you have spoken directly to the person who sent you the email.
If you are in any doubt and think the email is of a suspicious nature, please email Integrity (on Outlook) immediately.
Let's all play our part to keep our systems and data safe.
17 May - Help to stop the spread - Glasgow remains in Level 3 restrictions
On Friday, the Scottish Government announced that Glasgow was to remain in Level 3 restrictions for at least another week.
You will be aware from recent media coverage that Public Health officials are currently investigating a cluster of COVID-19 cases centred around the Pollokshields and Battlefield communities in the southside of the city. It is this concern which has motivated the decision to leave restrictions unchanged for Glasgow.
As the rest of Scotland has moved into Level 2 today (with the exception of Moray and Glasgow), as such it is now not permitted to travel outside of the city boundaries unless that travel is necessary or essential.
Stop the spread
We will continue to work with Public Health and the Government, as well as the wider city, to tackle the current outbreak and protect our communities. In particular, we encourage all local residents to get tested, or to test themselves, to guard against any increased spread of COVID-19.
As part of efforts to tackle this rise in infections, the Leader of the Council and the Director of Public Health have written to households in the affected areas urging residents to come forward and get tested. The letter has also been translated into Urdu.
Under 40's being offered the vaccine
City residents aged between 18-39 living in affected areas will be able to receive vaccination appointments from this week as part of plans to tackle recent spike in infections, sooner than previously planned. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has confirmed that appointments are being made for next week and they're also finalising plans to bring forward second vaccinations for people over 50.
NHSGGC are also actively pursuing ways to ensure vaccination uptake is as high as possible in the areas with the largest increases of cases and are encouraging and supporting people who previously opted not to receive their vaccination to arrange an appointment. Health officials will be contacting these individuals directly and offering them appointments in the coming weeks.
Testing for Glasgow residents
If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 you should book a test by clicking here
If you live in the Glasgow area, you can get a test at any site even if you don't have symptoms.
- You can book online here to get a test at one of the local Covid test centres:
- Glasgow City Centre Arc Sports Centre, G4 0BA
- Glasgow Easterhouse Easterhouse Social Work Office Car Park, G34 9EA
- Glasgow West Riverside Car Park, G3 8RS
- Glasgow Pollok Pollok Community Centre, G53 5DP
- Glasgow Govan Ibrox Football Centre, G51 2XP
- Glasgow Cranhill Cranhill Community Centre, G33 3HE
- Glasgow Dalmarnock The Legacy Hub, G40 3LG
- Glasgow Castlemilk Barlia Sports Complex, G45 9UH
- Glasgow Drumchapel Drumchapel Community Centre, G15 7HA
- Glasgow Possilpark 7 Closeburn Street, G22 5JZ
- Glasgow Green Glasgow Green Hockey Centre, G401HB
visit one of our temporary mobile COVID-19 test centres which are open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm, at:
- Glasgow Central Mosque, Car Park 1 (opening hours may vary)
- Pollokshields (Overflow Car Park - opposite the Tramway), Barrland St
- Govanhill Community Building (car park next to Health Centre) 205 Calder Street, G42 7DR
- The Forge Shopping Centre
- SkyPark (open until 5.30pm).
Home lateral flow tests.
- You can collect a home lateral flow testing kit from: Govanhill Community Building Car Park (next to Health Centre) Glasgow Central Mosque and Pollokshields (Overflow Car Park).
- Or order a test online here
Fight for Glasgow
It's down to all of us now to help turn this around. Please stick to the rules, follow FACTS and get tested. When you are offered the vaccine - take it. Let's work together and do everything we can to keep the delay in getting to the next level to no more than a week.
For more information on Level 3 restrictions click here.
17 May - Would you like to work on the UEFA EURO 2020 Football Championship?
This Summer 2021, Glasgow will welcome the postponed UEFA EURO 2020 European Football Championship - as one of 11 host cities joining forces to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this prestigious event.
With the tournament taking place from 11 June to 11 July 2021, Glasgow will stage three group games and a 'round of 16' match at Hampden Park on 14, 18, 22 and 29 June.
The UEFA European Championship is the pinnacle of European football competition and the tournament attracts a huge global audience. The teams confirmed to compete in Glasgow include Croatia, Czech Republic and of course Scotland who secured their place in this group in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
The Host City Team, based within Glasgow Life, is working in partnership with the Scottish FA, Scottish Government, VisitScotland and Police Scotland to enhance our reputation as a world-class host to deliver this major one-off event and will offer an exciting programme of activity throughout the duration of UEFA EURO 2020.
Join the team - 50 posts available
Building on the success of previous 'We Need You' campaigns, we are looking for dynamic team players to join the Host City Team and fill a variety of exciting roles.
There are over 50 opportunities available for staff across the council family.
If you are committed to bringing EURO 2020 closer to the fans and celebrating the best of European football and culture, then we would urge you to apply for the following roles:
· Fan Zone Officers
· Fan Zone Coordinators
· Volunteer Centre Coordinators
· Media & Broadcast Coordinators
· Marketing & Communications Officers/Assistants
· Venue Operations Centre Administrative Support Assistants
More information / how to apply - by 24 May 2021
All the key information you need about these roles, timings, shifts, required managerial approvals and application process are contained within the Employee Advert. This includes:
Roles descriptions:
· Marketing and Communications Officers and Assistants
· Venue Operation Centre Support (Admin)
· Volunteer Centre Coordinator
· Media and Broadcast Coordinators
Please review this carefully and make sure that you follow the approved process prior to submitting an application. You must have approval from your manager and any specific senior Service area approval before you apply.
Please submit your application form by 24 May 2021 to
UEFAEURO2020workforce@glasgow.gov.uk
If you have any enquiries, please email UEFAEURO2020workforce@glasgow.gov.uk
17 May - Deadline fast approaching to register!
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There is now less than 50 days to go until the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to be made to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are an EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, you should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme without delay here, so that you and your family can continue to work, study, and access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June 2021.
If you need help
A range of support is available to help you apply. Visit www.gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme for more details.
We encourage those staff who are EU citizens, and eligible to apply to the scheme, to do so today. You can read our updated staff briefing on the support available to help you with your application and what to do next.
17 May - Work Continues to progress Glasgow's Low Emission Zone
Radio adverts are being broadcast across the city's main stations just now to ensure continued awareness of Glasgow's city centre Low Emission Zone (LEZ) - a key intervention to improve air quality and protect public health.
Whilst our LEZ has been in place since 2018 affecting buses only, its emissions standards will apply to all vehicles driving into the zone in its second phase, unless exempt. COVID-19 impacts have pushed out the start date of this next phase to 2023, however staff in NRS, Sustainable Glasgow are currently developing the final design of Glasgow's LEZ which will go to public consultation in the summer.
The scheme design which will include full details including its start date in 2023 and intended boundary, will be based on Glasgow's specific requirements and will follow on from the development of national LEZ regulations which cover core scheme aspects such as emissions standards, exemptions and penalties.
Patrick Flynn, Director of City Development, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability said: "COVID-19 may have slightly affected the timetable of the final stage of Glasgow's LEZ, however we remain committed to implementing this air quality intervention which will deliver various health, environmental and economic benefits for our city.
"Our Sustainable Glasgow team are busy working on the details of our LEZ scheme design which once finalised will be subject to consultation in the summer, supported by a programme of publicity and engagement. Although 2023 may seem far away, we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the benefits our LEZ will deliver and has time to prepare."
More information
To find out more about Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone, visit the LEZ webpages.
17 May - Helping you to stay safe online - cyber crime course
There is so much cyber security advice available these days, it can be hard to know where to get the right information to help you understand how to stay safe online.
As a council, we all have a part to play in keeping our organisation, data and systems safe from a cyber attack. Our corporate annual information security course on GOLD provides the necessary information and support to help you better understand your role in how to do this.
In addition to this, the National Cyber Security Centre has produced an informative course called: 'Staying Safe Online: Top Tips for Staff'. It's totally free, easy-to-use and takes less than 30 minutes to complete and their training covers why cyber security is important and how attacks can happen. It covers four key areas:
defending yourself against phishing
using strong passwords
securing your devices
reporting incidents ('if in doubt, call it out')
We highly recommend that all staff take this course to help supplement our existing information security training on GOLD.
For more information visit #Safe Glasgow on Connect here.
17 May - Glasgow Life team - supporting young people to kick-start a digital career
The Learning Team at Glasgow Life is reaching out to young people aged 16 to 24 who are interested in kick-starting a career in the digital sector.
The team promote the Glasgow Code Learning (GCL) programme which offers a range of digital skills courses funded by the Young Person's Guarantee and CGI, who provide first line system, hardware and software support to the council family.
Mark West, Employability Skills Project Officer explained: "Glasgow Code Learning has been running since 2018 andprovides a more flexible and accessible alternative to the traditional 'code academy'. Courses are fully-funded and because they're delivered part-time, learners can fit their studies around other commitments.
"Thanks to our close relationships with key employers in the city, we can tailor the content of our courses to make sure that the skills and experience learners gain meet the minimum requirements of employment opportunities, in particular within the digital technologies sector."
There are three levels of GCL course:
Digital (SCQF Level 4) gives learners basic digital skills
Developer (SCQF Level 5/6) offers intermediate level courses in Cyber Security, Web Design, and Software Development
Pro (SCQF Level 7) is designed to equip learners with the skills required to progress to an entry level role in the digital sector.
Mark added: "Whether your interest is games development or coding, healthcare or tourism, there's a digital career for everyone."
What's involved?
The Digital course is around six weeks long and delivered by Glasgow Life's Digital Learning Tutor Team. The six-week Developer and twelve-week Pro courses are delivered by tutors from Clyde College as a mixture of live lectures, practical and discussion sessions, individual and group projects.
Registered learners on Developer and Pro will be eligible for a Clyde College student card. They will also benefit from a community of supportive tutors, access to laptops, software and connectivity, and hear directly from industry experts on the interesting careers available in the digital technologies sector.
Who can apply?
GCL courses are open to everyone living in Glasgow aged 16 and above. Places will be prioritised for those who meet the following criteria for the Young Person's Guarantee:
aged 16 to 24
live in Glasgow
have the right to work in the UK
be facing one or more barriers to work
More information
Applications are now open for fully-funded places on the GCL Developer and Pro courses - commencing on 1 June.
Courses run throughout the year
For more information about GCL's courses, and entry deadlines, visit glasgowlife.org.uk or email: glasgowcodelearning@glasgowlife.org.uk.
Mark concluded: "Glasgow Code Learning is a fantastic opportunity for young people - offering a pathway of flexible digital skills courses from the very basics to our top level Pro courses.
"Feedback from young people who have completed GCL courses has been really positive; one of our graduates was recently accepted onto JP Morgan's Graduate Apprenticeship programme.
"Over the next year, we hope that over 800 young people will enrol on GCL courses."
10 May - New Depute Lord Provost elected
Bailie Christy Mearns will be officially appointed Glasgow's Depute Lord Provost at the meeting of full council on Thursday, 13 May.
The Scottish Green Party politician who currently serves as a Bailie received 40 votes, while the other contender, Councillor Maureen Burke, Scottish Labour Party, received 38 votes. A total of 85 councillors were eligible to vote. There were 80 votes submitted. Two were rejected, on the basis that one had no signed signature slip and the other had a blank voting paper.
Lord Provost Philip Braat said: "My congratulations to Depute Lord Provost Mearns, with whom I look forward to working closely during the remainder of our tenure for the good, and civic wellbeing, of our great city.
"It is a privilege to serve the people of Glasgow and I am confident that my Depute will prove a worthy ambassador. I wish her every success. My commiserations to Councillor Burke, who fought a valiant and close campaign.
Bailie Mearns said: "I am delighted to have been elected to serve as our city's next Depute Lord Provost. As a young woman and new parent, I am thrilled to be able to bring more diversity to the civic realm of the council; we are always stronger the more we work together, across ages, genders, backgrounds and political affiliations.
"In this year of COP26, Glasgow has an immense opportunity to lead on action on the climate emergency. I am looking forward to being able to amplify the voices of our citizens, particularly our children and young people who have already shown outstanding leadership on this issue, knowing their and our planet's future is at stake."
10 May - Covid-19 vaccination rollout data for Glasgow
The Data Team in our Strategic Innovation and Technology team have produced an informative and useful report on the level of vaccinations being carried out in the Glasgow area.
The four-page report provides daily data on our local vaccination delivery programme for the Glasgow City Council area. Information is sourced from NHS Open Data and provides key information to show who is being vaccinated and with what dose. It provides a useful insight into when the various age groups are due to receive their doses.
The report is updated daily at 2.30pm and covers the following:
Page 1
Total number of the council adult population, over age 16 years, who will be invited to be vaccinated.
The total number of those vaccinated by dose - one and two
Graphs showing the daily count vaccinated and the cumulative number since 8 December 2020.
Page 2
A breakdown of the percentages of those receiving both doses by age and for dose one - by age and sex.
Page 3
An overview of Scotland and Glasgow City Council with a comparison by the total number of vaccinations being delivered - by dose and age.
Page 4
A breakdown of the total number of citizens within our council area vaccinated by age and by dose - noted against the threshold of the population who will be invited to receive a vaccine.
Having easy access to this data is reassuring for all those in our communities to see the great work being carried out by NHS Scotland and its partners to protect our citizens and our loved ones.
View the report here under the Covid Data tab.
10 May - Asymptomatic Testing Centres - for people with no symptoms
A new Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Centre opened in Pollokshields on Wednesday 5 May - at 16 Albert Dr (the car park opposite Glasgow Tramway theatre).
People living and working in the area who have no Covid symptoms are asked to get tested.
The centre will be open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm (until 5pm from this week).
You can have Covid-19 without knowing and may spread it. Asymptomatic testing helps break the chain of transmission when anyone who tests positive self-isolates.
Asymptomatic testing also continues at centres in the car parks of:
the Forge shopping centre, Parkhead and
Skypark, Finnieston.
Tests must be booked in advance at http://ow.ly/2gXs50EEehQ
Find out more here
10 May - Hundreds of Homeless People Receive Covid Vaccinations
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Hundreds of vulnerable homeless people in Glasgow are receiving their first Covid-19 vaccinations as teams of nurses visit temporary accommodation and support services to provide injections.
Glasgow's Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) is co-ordinating the huge logistical operation in a bid to reach people whose transient and often chaotic lifestyles would have hindered attendance at vaccination centres.
Nurses from the Homeless Health Outreach Service are carrying out vaccinations at up to 50 locations across the city including, the Homeless Services centre in Hunter Street and the city's Homeless Hub in Argyle Street as well as visiting hotels and numerous other accommodation. This major mobile operation was launched in a bid to make sure that as many vulnerable service users as possible receive the vaccine to protect themselves and others against Covid-19.
Jim McBride, Head of Glasgow's Homeless Services, said: "It's important that homeless people get access to Covid-19 vaccinations for their own protection and that of the wider community. We don't want anyone in society to fall through the net, and reaching people with chaotic and transient lifestyles through the usual appointment system could have been problematic. Taking the vaccine to our service users, many of whom have underlying health issues, has proved much more efficient and, I'm happy to say, it has resulted in good take-up of vaccinations.
"Our Homeless Health Outreach team has been providing health and social care services to homeless people accommodated in hotels and other temporary accommodation throughout the pandemic. This is an extension of that care provision for this vulnerable group. Vaccinations are continuing and people will be offered the second dose within 12 weeks of their first one."
The homeless vaccination outreach programme is ongoing and is also being offered to asylum seekers in the city who have been provided with translated information and support services. So far 565 people in total have been vaccinated as part of this proactive approach.
The HSCP is working with partners including the Asylum Health Bridging Team, the British Red Cross, Mears Group, commissioned services and accommodation providers to deliver vaccinations.
Frontline staff working with homeless people who had not yet had their first vaccination also received the Astra Zeneca jags. Younger homeless people will be vaccinated in coming months with an alternative vaccine.
10 May - Let's flourish for Glasgow: working together to create a healthy working environment
The last year has presented us with many challenges - both as individuals in our personal lives, and also as employees working for Scotland's largest local authority.
Whilst we have all been on a different journey, and experienced different emotions along the way, there has been a collective understanding of the importance of compassion and the need to be there to support one another during difficult times.
Robert Anderson, Head of HR explains: "As an organisation this pandemic has put a spotlight onto just how important the health and wellbeing of our workforce is. At the very start, no matter where you were working, either as a front-line worker out on location, or from your kitchen table, our HR teams focused on quickly getting the right wellbeing support mechanisms in place, at the right times. We needed to ensure the physical health, safety and wellbeing needs for our frontline workers was being met, whilst also supporting staff facing new challenges from balancing the integration of home and work life within limiting restrictions.
"We all had to learn how to be more adaptable and resilient and change our ways of working whilst still delivering for our city. At the same time maintaining our own health and wellbeing in the process.
"As we head into mental health awareness week and look to the future, we want all our staff to continue to feel fully supported and balanced in their own lives - so that they can flourish and help the council achieve its aims for the city.
"Our next 
Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021 to 2024 [2Mb] has now been developed and our staff are at the very core of its creation. It will focus on establishing a positive and healthy working environment where staff feel engaged and supported in key areas of interest to them. It will be driven at a local level, listening to the needs and wants of our diverse workforce and put the right measures in place to deliver actions to support staff. We are committed to making sure that everyone can access our support arrangements over the next three years and I hope that all staff will embrace local plans and take part in activities of interest to them."
As a lead in to launching our strategy, we have recently held our first ever digital health and wellbeing roadshow for staff. The topics were well received and places 'sold out' for most online events within a couple of days. Working in collaboration with local professional health and wellbeing support services, popular sessions included, 'assessing your stress' and 'the art of relaxing'. Both offering practical tips to finding the right balance between home and work life in the current environment.
Staff who attended felt that they had all learned something new to help look after their future health and wellbeing:
Alison MacDonald, Chief Executive's Department said: "Thank you so much for the useful session. I'm looking forward to putting all of the great ideas into practice. I particular loved the Einstein quote about changing our mindset - We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
Alex McGreevy, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability said: "Thanks that was a great session - cannot wait to read the notes afterwards to help reinforce that stress is a normal emotion and we all respond differently according to our personality and circumstances which is our 'locus of control'."
More events are planned over the coming months.
Further information and how to get in touch
Keep up to date on our staff updates health and wellbeing page for support, event information and health initiatives.
Read our Health and Wellbeing Strategy [2Mb] and let us know what is important to you. Email Your Health and Wellbeing (on Outlook).
10 May - Working to support the needs of our diverse city
The Chief Executive's Department has produced a report to highlight the council's third set of Equality Outcomes - for 2021 to 2025.
Afton Hill, Policy Officer, Strategic Policy and Planning said: "The outcomes have been developed in partnership with key stakeholders across the city including staff, elected members, third sector partners, teachers, pupils, and parents.
"The outcomes reflect the diverse needs of our city and the range of services we deliver. They provide a focus for our actions over the next four years and enable council family services to provide access and support to the greatest diversity of our citizens."
The report highlights 14 key outcomes across:
Service Delivery (outcomes 1 to 6),
Glasgow City Council as an Employer (outcomes 7 to 11), and
Glasgow City Council as an Education Authority (outcomes 12 to 14).
Afton added: "The impact of Covid-19 have been taken into consideration in the development of these Outcomes.
"It's widely acknowledged that the impacts of the pandemic are significant and unequal both from the effects of contracting Covid and the lockdown measures required to control the spread of the virus. The impacts of the pandemic have compounded existing inequalities with many groups experiencing increased risk from health impacts, mental health and economic disadvantage.
"Tackling these issues will be very challenging but there is opportunity, as part of recovery and renewal, to tackle inequalities. Including them in our Equality Outcomes will make sure equalities are at the forefront of our aims."
Afton concluded: "The council's vision is for Glasgow to be a world class city with a thriving, inclusive, economy where everyone can flourish and benefit from. the city's success.
"Developing these Equality Outcomes will support the council family and all our partners, to provide services and opportunities that can be accessed fairly and equally by everyone - allowing everyone to play their part in the continued success of the city."
More information
You can view the full report here
Or view the summary report here [3Mb]
10 May - Glasgow Life venues reopening - update
In line with the Scottish Government's timetable for easing restrictions, Glasgow Life has begun reopening more than 90 city facilities and this will continue over the coming weeks and months.
You can view the full list of venues and sites Glasgow Life is planning to reopen and indicative dates here or click here to view some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the reopening of venues.
As it has been throughout the pandemic, Glasgow Life's priority will be to make sure that the return of their staff and the public is managed safely. As such, reopening plans are subject to local infection rates and Glasgow remaining in, or below, level three of the Government's Covid-19 protection levels. All dates are subject to change in line with ongoing Scottish Government guidance.
Glasgow Life is reminding customers and visitors that the experience within the venues being reopened will continue to be different for the foreseeable future and, by necessity, capacities will be reduced.
More information
You can find Glasgow Life's latest Covid-19 updates at glasgowlife.org.uk
View the short welcome back video explaining what you can expect when you return to Glasgow Life's venues
Hear from some of Glasgow Life's first customers and visitors about what it means to return
4 May - Global sustainability first for Glasgow Convention Bureau
Glasgow Convention Bureau, part of Glasgow Life, has become the first convention bureau in the world to join the international sustainability scheme 'Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.' Launched last January, this is a voluntary initiative reflecting a network of more than 200 worldwide members. It's goal is to align tourism and travel with the target of cutting global emissions in half by 2030 and tackling climate change.
The announcement builds on Glasgow's position as the fourth most sustainable conference destination in the world and the only UK city to be included in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). Prior to the pandemic, Glasgow hosted 20 energy, sustainability and low carbon industry-related conferences over a 24-month period - boosting the city's economy by more than £23 million.
Aileen Crawford, Head of Glasgow Convention Bureau, said: "As Glasgow gears up to host COP26 in November, the Convention Bureau is keen to do its bit. Signing up to Tourism Declares is an important step in our support of the city's credentials as a world-leader in sustainable business tourism."
More information
You can read the full story here.
4 May - Pilot project to support city's nature-based organisations and businesses
A pilot project in Glasgow - the first of its kind in Scotland - will see nature-based businesses and organisations receive expert support to help their development and growth, creating more jobs in the green economy and helping the city to meet net-zero targets.
The project - the Nature-Based Accelerator Programme - is now open to applications. It is a three-month, fully-funded (worth over £1500 to each successful applicant) programme aimed at individuals, enterprises or community groups who have a business or social enterprise idea that uses nature directly or indirectly.
This support would be available for a wide range of activities including beekeeping; carbon offsetting; 'green' roofs; greenspace management; eco-tourism; food or other community growing schemes; skills training; and tree-planting enterprises, plus many more.
The programme will encourage both a more resilient local nature-based economy in Glasgow, and also develop innovative ideas in this economic sector as well as improving and maintaining the city's open spaces.
At the end of the programme participants will have: a clearly defined value proposition; a clear understanding of potential customers; be part of a strong peer network; identified the social, economic and environmental benefits their idea can deliver; and understood their business model and its financial viability.
Sean Vincent Kelly, Senior Connecting Nature Project Officer, Neighbourhoods Regeneration and Sustainability said: "After several months of planning with our expert partners, we are very excited to finally open our nature-based accelerator programme to applications.
"This is a real opportunity for budding nature-based entrepreneurs in Glasgow to get valuable support to grow their enterprise ideas and help us make a real contribution to more local and nature-friendly economies."
Deadline for applications is 21 May. A wider programme is expected to begin around the time of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.
The project is coordinated through the council's Connecting Nature project, with partners The Melting Pot, the Centre for Civic Innovation, and Glasgow Caledonian University.
More information
Find out more about the project, including details on how to apply for support, at good-ideas.org
A World Economic Forum report (Executive Summary) suggested that actions to take nature-based solutions into account could create $10 trillion annually in business opportunities. You can read the 'Future of Business' report here
You can a find more detail about the Connecting Nature project at connectingnature.eu
4 May - Do you use EDRMS?
Our Electronic Document Records Management System (EDRMS) will soon be upgraded to the latest version of the software.
This will mean that all users will notice some minor changes to the look and feel. For example, some of the popular functions such as 'drag and drop' will be changing and you will now be able to preview saved emails directly within EDRMS.
The updated functions are currently being tested by a pilot group of staff.
All EDRMS users will be kept updated and supported through these changes - so that they know what is due to happen and when.
4 May - Can you help the Glasgow Life Special Collections team?
The Special Collections team at The Mitchell Library is looking for your help to collect items relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2021 Scottish Parliament Election.
The team regularly collects leaflets, posters, tickets and flyers that give a sense of the times and culture we're living in for use by future researchers and community historians. These temporary, disposable materials are known as ephemera. Unfortunately they are often lost or recycled before they can be preserved as a record of a particular time in Glasgow's history.
How to help
If you live in the city and have received any leaflets, posters or newsletters about the Covid-19 response in your community or the election (such as those pictured), the team would be delighted to have them.
Please place them - unfolded (where possible) - in a flat envelope and post to: The Mitchell Library, Special Collections - Level 5, 201 North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN.
You should remove or score out any personal information on the leaflets, but do include a note of your name and email address or telephone number so that the team can record your donations. Any personal data will be retained in line with current GDPR legislation.
More information
If you would like any more info, please email Special Collections (on Outlook)
