July 2021

28 July - Self-isolation for staff in critical roles- update

The Scottish Government has introduced changes to self-isolation rules for close contacts of COVID cases to allow employers to apply for exemption for staff in critical roles to return to work to maintain lifeline services and critical national infrastructure. The exemption can only apply to those in roles where staff shortages put essential services at risk, such as those in health and social care, transport and the provision of food supplies.

The circumstances and conditions for exemptions, which would be voluntary for staff, are very specific and restricted. The council hasn't identified the need to apply for any exemptions at this point. However, this will remain under review and as always, we'll continue to follow the Scottish Government guidance. Should the situation change and there was a need to apply for an exemption, then staff in affected groups would be briefed by their line manager.

28 July - Get Ready Glasgow Team Release Business Readiness Guide for COP26

The Get Ready Glasgow Team have released a Business Readiness Guide for COP26, providing an overview of the event in Glasgow including plans, ambitions and opportunities.

Between now and November the COP team will make sure that city businesses are fully aware of the impact that hosting an event of this scale as well as the opportunities which can emerge.

The 'Get Ready Glasgow' campaign - so successful during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 European Championships - is underway, providing businesses with the regularly updated information they require.

It will inform businesses of procurement opportunities, advice on sponsorship, becoming more sustainable and on business continuity throughout the event. The campaign will also provide updates on traffic and travel, how we plan to keep the city moving before and during COP26, public events being staged during the event and any impacts on council services.

As the team work with event organisers and partners to deliver a safe and secure in-person event, Get Ready Glasgow will provide up-to-date public health advice and guidance.

Through the website, business guide, dedicated events as well as the engagement teams, we will share with businesses the information they need to ensure a COP26 which is successful for the planet - and for our city.  

More information

You can access the guide  here [8Mb]

Find out more about COP26 at getreadyglasgow.com

28 July - Glasgow pushes forward on tackling climate change with 100 days to COP26

With 100 days until eyes of the world looks to Glasgow as the place where action to save the planet will be agreed, the city is progressing with its plans to welcome world leaders, reach net zero carbon by 2030 and secure its legacy after hosting the event.

As one of the biggest events ever held in the UK, in climate change terms, COP26 is the most significant event of its kind since COP21 in 2015 which led to the "Paris Agreement" - a legally binding international agreement that set out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.

As host city, Glasgow is already using the arrival of COP to add momentum to its own ambitions and drive collective action from partners.

Thriving Cities

As part of its ongoing commitment to grow a cleaner, greener economy and society, Leader of the Council, Susan Aitkenannounced Glasgow's participation in the Thriving Cities Initiative (TCI) - a project with C40 Cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities who are working to deliver urgent action on climate change and funded by KR Foundation, a Danish-based organisation that supports non-profit activities with positive impacts on climate and the environment.

Through the pilot, work will take place amongst communities, businesses and academic institutions to foster new policy and governance, community activity and business models to reduce overall levels of consumption and create an economy where everyone is given an opportunity to thrive without harming other people or the planet.

Regarding the announcement, Councillor Aitken said: "Glasgow is committed to ensuring that our transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy will create good jobs and opportunities for Glaswegians. A Just Transition has to put citizens and communities first in our recovery efforts whilst simultaneously addressing the climate emergency.

"As the host city for COP26, we must deliver a local legacy where all Glaswegians can lead healthier, fairer and more prosperous lives without harming other people or the planet. A Just Transition is particularly pertinent in Glasgow, given the memories and legacies of our post-industrial past.

"We look forward to participating in the Thriving Cities Initiative and the support it can provide in working with local businesses, communities and academic institutions to a create greener and equitable economy and communities."

COP26 Legacy for the City

In developing the right policies, engaging the key actors, and transforming mindsets, the initiative seeks to support Glasgow in co-creating solutions that provide economic opportunity and improved quality of life for Glaswegians who face the greatest disparities, reduce emissions from local businesses, and support low-carbon lifestyles.

By supporting Glasgow's existing plans, the initiative will be one part of the wider legacy of COP26, helping Glasgow achieve its ambitious climate goals whilst maximising local benefit. COP26 offers a unique opportunity for Glasgow to push itself harder to achieve its own ambitions on sustainability and to engage its communities in an ongoing conversation about our climate.

The nations of the world will aim to re-set a shared planetary trajectory onto a safer, greener path at COP26 - and thereby add Glasgow's name to that of Paris when relating to climate progress. The legacy of that 'Glasgow Agreement' to the city cannot be underestimated, securing for the long-term its credentials as a city with the ambition to be Europe's most sustainable, with a just transition, innovation and skills at the heart of its policy.

To date, promising progress has been made for Glasgow to reach its goal of achieving net zero carbon by 2030. The appointment of a Green Economy Manager and development of a green investment prospectus are key to acquiring the billions in capital that the city needs to match its climate ambitions and make real change in the lives of communities, businesses and institutions.

As well as the enhanced global connections being made in the lead up to COP26, the city is currently seeing the installation of a network of sensors on school roofs which will monitor greenhouse gas emissions and air quality.

As a direct legacy of COP26, this partnership between the council, University of Strathclyde and Universities of Berkeley and Stanford in California represents a total of $250,000 of equipment provided free to the city which will help to test and improve local interventions to reduce emissions and improve air quality for all Glaswegians.

Glasgow's story is, in many ways, the world's story. It charts a course from the carbon-intensive industries of the past to the low carbon and sustainable developments of the present. More than half the world's population now live in cities, so the solutions to the global climate emergency will have to be delivered through its cities.

As the recovery and renewal process from the pandemic begins, Glasgow looks to continue the legacy from its hosting of the climate conference as an exemplar city for Scotland and the UK, making a tangible reality out of the ambition for a green recovery.

Get Ready Glasgow

With 100 days to go to COP26, the city and partners are also continuing with the Get Ready Glasgow campaign, to help businesses and residents plan ahead and prepare to welcome delegates and visitors.

In addition to providing information on how the city will host a safe and secure in-person event, the Get Ready Glasgow website will also keep people up to date on the latest traffic and travel advice and how partners plan to keep the city open for business and moving during COP26.

A recent digital engagement event saw more than 250 businesses hear from the event organisers and a new business readiness guide has just been produced and is available to download from the site.

Coupled with this, a Citizens Assembly has been established with Glasgow residents to help determine their priorities for ensuring that the COP26 Climate Conference drives positive change in their lives.

28 July - #SafeGlasgow - update on using Zoom on council devices

At a recent Extended Information Security Board (EISB) the use of Zoom, on a council managed device, was approved for exceptional business reasons. It should only ever be used as an alternative video conferencing solution, to our approved corporate solution Microsoft Teams, when there is a specific business need to do so.

John Lyle, Head of Strategic Information, Innovation and Technology explains: "Following updated guidance from the Digital Office, the EISB agreed that certain staff will be permitted to use the Zoom video conference platform as long as key criteria and conditions are adhered to.

"Providing these key groups of staff with this extra communication channel will help the continued delivery of operational activity, and our services to our citizens, whilst working remotely. However, staff should be aware that this is not a free for all - there are a set of strict rules around the use of Zoom and activity may be monitored to ensure the continued safety of our staff, information and systems."

Please read our  staff support guide on the use of Zoom on council managed devices [146kb] - so you know what is permitted.

28 July - Are you a first time buyer, renter or are planning to move home?

If you fall into one of these categories, the Housing Strategy team in Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS) want to hear from you.

You are invited to complete a short survey which will provide the team with valuable information about housing in the city.

The research is being conducted as part of a project about improving how the council communicates information, services and housing options in today's digital world.

Max Borland, Summer Intern, Housing Strategy teamsaid: "We're conducting research to improve our communications and digital engagement with customers and stakeholders.

"The project links to council's strategic objectives of improving access to appropriate housing for Glasgow's people; improving access to housing across all tenures; and improving on the housing information and advice services currently available to young people.

Max added: "The findings of the research will support the further development of council policies and practices relating to housing in the city.

"We hope that as many council family staff as possible will spare the time to complete the survey."

How to take the survey

You can access the survey here

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GCC_AccessToHousing/

Deadline for completion is 9th August 2021,

More information

Find out more about the council's Housing Strategy here

Find out more about housing options here

21 July - Scotland is now in Level 0

As things open up, it's vital we know the new rules to stop COVID strains spreading.

In order to achieve a further relaxing of restrictions, the government has continued to urge people to adhere to protective measures and sensible precautions to suppress COVID-19 to help create conditions that will allow Scotland to move beyond Level 0 on 9 August.

The move to Level 0 means that:

• Physical distancing - will reduce to one metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors.
• Meeting outdoors - informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households can meet without distancing, but remember to stay 1 metre away from other groups
• Meeting indoors - gatherings of up to 10 people from four households will be permitted in indoor public settings, such as a pub or restaurant, with one metre physical distancing.
• Meeting in your home- when at home a maximum of 8 people from 4 households can meet.

Other easings in Level 0 include:

• Under 12s - will no longer count towards the number of households that can gather indoors in public spaces and homes
• Hospitality- in cafes, bars and restaurants a maximum of 10 people from 4 households can meet and settings can open till midnight, if their current licence permits that. Customers will no longer be required to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant but will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test and Protect
• Weddings and funerals - up to 200 people will be able to gather to mark the occasion
• Continued working from home - employers are asked to continue to support home working where possible until Scotland moves beyond Level 0.

You can find more details about what restrictions still apply at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-0/

21 July - Scotland's Covid Memorial- Invitation to get involved

The council is supporting a campaign to establish a national Covid-19 memorial at Pollok Park. The Herald have initiated the campaign, and are now working with Greenspace Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland and the Friends of Pollok Country Park to appoint Poet and artist Alec Finlay to lead the engagement phase which is expected to last until September this year.

Everyone in Scotland is being invited to contribute to the memorial by writing a short sentence beginning 'I remember ....'

George Gillespie, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability is the council's lead officer on the group, supported by Rachel Smith, Landscape Design and Development Manager at NRS.

George said: "We engaged with The Herald last May and agreed to support this initiative within the park. We are now working with our partners and the artist to see the project become a reality.

"The pandemic has been a very challenging time for everyone.  The memorial will have a focus on those we have lost but will also allow people to share some of the ways that life over the last 15 months has been very different. It will provide an opportunity to recognise the challenges and losses that many of us have experienced.

George added: "Council family staff have been key workers during the pandemic with many playing an extraordinary role in keeping our services running and providing vital support to our citizens. This project is an ideal way for staff to contribute to a lasting commemorative memorial to reflect the impact of the pandemic on the city and its people."

How to get involved

• You are invited to submit a single sentence that begins, 'I remember ....'
• Your sentence is a way to remember loved ones lost, or to record your own experience of the pandemic - from the everyday to the more challenging.
• Submissions will be held anonymously.
• A wide-ranging selection will appear on the project blog where they will be anonymised.
• All contributions will be archived.
• Submissions will inform the final memorial, which will be created in Pollok Country Park - and at satellite venues.
• For the sake of confidentiality - please only use first names if you refer to people.
• You are welcome to contribute more than one 'I remember'.

How to submit your 'I remember ...' sentence

Please email your contribution(s) to Alec Finlay, the lead artist on the memorial project at: iremember2021@yahoo.com

George concluded: "There is no deadline for submissions since we recognise that the pandemic is not over. But submissions received by September will help us to plan for the further development and completion of the memorial."

Attend a workshop

Council family staff wishing to learn more are welcome to attend a public workshops with the artist Alec Finlay and team.

• An online event will take place on Thursday 2 September, from 7pm to 8.30pm
• An event will take place at Pollok Country Park on Saturday 11 September, from 11am to 3pm

Staff wishing to attend can register by going online at:  http://www.i-remember.uk/p/events.html

There are also a number of workshops aimed specifically at bereaved families, those living with cancer or Long-COVID, and those caring for someone living with Dementia- staff wishing to attend can register an interest by contacting iremember2021@yahoo.com

More information

Find out more, and see some existing messages, on the project blog at: https://i-remember-2021.blogspot.com

Photograph courtesy of Herald and Times Group

Left to right is featured:

• Rachel Smith, Landscape Design and Development Manager, Glasgow City Council
• Lynsey Torrance, Countryside Ranger, Glasgow City Council
• Allison Greig, Senior Countryside Ranger, Glasgow City Council
• Theresa Glasgow, Natural Environment Officer (Community Engagement), Glasgow City Council
• Lucy Richards, Better Company
• Alec Finlay, Artist
• Andy Bradburn, Gardener, Glasgow City Council

14 July - Caution required as restrictions change from Monday 19 July

Following the announcement by the First Minister on Tuesday 13 July, Covid-19 restrictions are changing as Scotland prepares to move to Level 0 at one minute past midnight on Monday 19 July.

The First Minister has urged people to adhere to protective measures and sensible precautions to suppress coronavirus (COVID-19) to help create conditions that will allow Scotland to move beyond Level 0 on 9 August. We should continue to follow public health measures to protect one another.

New restrictions from Monday 19 July

• physical distancing in Level 0 will reduce to one metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors.

• informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households will be permitted outdoors without physical distancing

• Gatherings of up to 10 people from four households will be permitted in all indoor public settings with one metre physical distancing.

Other easings to Level 0 taking effect include:

• Under 12s will no longer count towards the number of households that can gather indoors in public spaces and homes

• Hospitality settings can open till midnight, if their current licence permits that, and customers will no longer be required to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant but will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect

• Up to 200 people will be able to gather at weddings and funerals

• Employers are asked to continue to support home working where possible until Scotland moves beyond Level 0.

From 04:00 hours on Monday 19 July, travellers who are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and children arriving into Scotland from Amber List countries will no longer be required to self-isolate and take a day eight test, but adults and children over 12 will still take tests before travelling and on day two after arrival. Anyone testing positive for or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will still require to isolate for 10 days.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "While Scotland will move to Level 0 from next Monday, we will do so with certain modifications to our original indicative plans. This is intended to ensure that our pace of easing restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge we continue to face from the Delta variant. There is no doubt that Delta has become, unfortunately, something of a game-changer - even for countries on course to achieving full vaccine protection - so COVID does remain a threat that we must treat seriously."

The First Minister will provide a further update to Parliament in the week before the next review date on 9 August.

More information

You can find out more information, including full quote from the First Minister at gov.scot.uk

You can read the full 13 July 2021 statement by the First Minister at gov.scot.uk

Council - planning for a phased return and hybrid working

While we await a final decision from the government on a phased return to the office, it's time to plan for the months ahead for office staff who have been predominately working at home during the pandemic.

Our approach is to pilot a mixture of home and office working - hybrid working, that works for both the services we provide and staff who deliver these.

Your line manager will talk to you to agree a hybrid work pattern, where this is applicable to your role, considering the requirements of the service, your individual circumstances and any work arrangements that have worked well for both parties during the pandemic. Most staff who have been working predominately at home during the pandemic should have the opportunity to spend some time in the office and some time at home.

These new arrangements should be planned to start from 9 August, subject to a decision from the Scottish Government nearer the time

There are no changes to contractual arrangements during this pilot

More information

You can find out more about our approach to a phased return and hybrid working here

14 July - Council Mini-Buses Converted to Mobile Covid Testing Units

Two council mini-buses have been converted into mobile Covid testing units which will offer rapid tests to people without symptoms.

Fitted with a solar panel to power on-board equipment, the buses have been commissioned by the council's Covid Response Team which is working in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government.

Staffed by NHS nurses, the buses will provide a flexible testing option to complement existing Covid testing sites which already exist across the city. Emblazoned with the Test and Protect logo, the buses are an unmissable addition to the city's testing facilities.

City Building staff converted the buses in consultation with the council's Environmental Health and transport experts and the NHS. The testing booth is at the rear of the vehicle which has a ramp for wheelchair access. Test results are sent to people by text message and before leaving the bus, they are given a leaflet detailing the support on offer if they have to self-isolate.

Staff manning the buses are offering free drop-in Covid tests to members of the public without Covid symptoms as well as giving out self-testing kits for people to use at home. This is because you can have the virus without realising and could infect other people.

• The first bus to operate, was stationed at the Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens earlier this week.

• The bus will be at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 July, from 10am-4pm.

• The second bus will be deployed soon.

Get tested twice a week - help reduce the spread

Public health officials are asking people without symptoms to get tested, either at home or in the community, twice a week - to help reduce the spread of the virus in Scotland.

Lindsey-Anne McNeil, Assistant Group Manager (Business Regulation), Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability said: As more restrictions are relaxed testing will continue to be a really important tool to help break the chains of transmission within the community.

"Our new mobile solution will allow for a more agile and reactive approach to rapid coronavirus testing for Glasgow."

Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of the Council said: "Twice weekly Covid testing for people without symptoms is extremely important as it can help stem the spread of the virus by picking up positive cases which might otherwise go undetected. These two new buses are a valuable addition to the city's existing testing facilities. Cases remain high and we must stay vigilant.

"I'd encourage residents to make regular testing part of their weekly routine to help protect themselves, their families and our communities and also to get both doses of the vaccine when they're offered to them."

Other testing sites

Other testing sites operating in the city for people without Covid symptoms are located:

• in the car park of the Forge Shopping Centre in Parkhead, and

• the overflow car park in Barrland Street, Pollokshields.

• A mobile testing unit at Skypark in Finnieston closed on Friday and has moved to the Scotstoun Sports complex in Danes Drive where it is open from 9.30am to 6pm seven days a week.

Free testing kits

Free testing kits can also be ordered quickly and easily online or collected from a local participating pharmacy. Further details at nhsinform.scot

Free testing also remains available to anyone with Covid symptoms. Anyone with a fever, new continuous cough or loss of / change in taste or smell should isolate straight away and book a test at NHSinformClare.scot/test-and-protect or by phoning 0800 028 2816. Please do not go along to the testing bus locations as they are only for people without symptoms.

More information

Find out more about community testing in Glasgow at glasgow.gov.uk

Keep an eye on Twitter for information about bus locations.

14 July - Victim Support Scotland want to hear your views

Community Justice Glasgow are encouraging members of the public to have their say about the way that Scotland deals with people accused of low level offences.

The survey, run on behalf of Community Justice Glasgow and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, seeks to understand the views of people affected by crime. These organisations can then use these views to inform them when planning community justice approaches.

This survey, open until the end of August, asks people who have been affected by any type of crime about their views on a process called Diversion from Prosecution (DfP).

Diversion from Prosecution provides an option for the courts to deal with someone accused of low level offences outwith the court system. The person will be required to work with a Criminal Justice Social Worker or other agency to address the problem areas of their lives that are contributing to their offending behaviour.

More information - how to access the survey

Before completing the survey please read the briefing: Diversion from Prosecution - A Briefing for Victims of Crime.

The survey can be found on the Police Scotland website and will run until the end of August.

7 July - Your views can shape future ways of working - take the survey now

Life has been very different for most of us during this pandemic. Nearly everyone has had to work differently to maintain the vital services that we deliver; whether you've been at your normal place of work, spent most of the time working from home or even a mixture of both. We've all played a part in supporting the citizens of Glasgow and each other through this pandemic by making these changes.

As restrictions are easing and vaccines are delivering the route to a more normal way of living again, we want to understand more about how you have coped during this pandemic, particularly if you've been working from home, and your views on flexible working in the future. For example: retaining some element of homeworking and the flexible working practices that have developed in the last year or so.

Although you probably feel that you're still very much in the midst of dealing with this crisis on a day-to-day basis, we want to plan for the time when normality will return, based on your learning and experience during this pandemic.

The council's Renewal Programme Board and the Corporate Management Team will consider the findings and bring these together with our current operational situation, challenges, opportunities, to support the transition to a new normal, post pandemic, with a longer-term workforce plan including new ways of working in the future.

In the meantime, and following the government guidance, your line manager will talk to you about what a planned and phased return to the workplace with some continued homeworking will look like. 

Take the survey

The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete. You can help to shape our renewal plans by completing the survey online here.
The survey is anonymous. The closing date for responses is 30 July.
 
Sharing the findings

The main findings from this survey will be reported back to the Renewal Programme Board in August, will also share the findings with you.

More information

If you require any additional information about this survey or would like this document in an alternative format or community language, please contact Your Health and Wellbeing (on Outlook). 

The council is required to process personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  For more information about this click here.

7 July - Getting the Right Care in the Right Place

The way people access Accident and Emergency (A&E) services has changed to keep patients and NHS Scotland safe - making sure everyone gets the right care in the right place.

Local A&E departments remain open for those who have a life-threatening emergency. However, to make sure that patients have the fastest access to the treatment they need, anyone with a non-life-threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now phone NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.

If A&E is the most appropriate place to provide the right care, patients will either be directly referred to A&E by NHS 24 or a phone or video consultation with a senior clinical decision maker.

The remote consultation approach is designed to avoid unnecessary waits in crowded waiting areas and offer care much closer to home whenever possible. If senior clinical decision makers determine the patient needs to go to A&E, they may be offered an appointment to attend, and the team will know to expect them so they can be seen directly at that time.

NHS 24 on 111 is also there for those who need urgent medical attention but can't wait for their GP practice or dentist to re-open.

Those with life-threatening conditions including suspected heart attacks or strokes, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or severe injury should continue to go straight to A&E or phone 999.

• If you think you need A&E, but it's not life-threatening, you can now phone NHS 24 on 111, day or night.
• Or you can contact your GP practice during the day.
• If it's an emergency, you should continue to phone 999 or go to your local A&E
• View the 'Right Care Right Place' TV ad here
• View the 'Right Care Right Place' TV ad - BSL version - here
• TV ad - translated versions are also available on YouTube in BSL, Arabic, Cantonese, Gujarati,  Hindi,  Swahili, Punjabi, Polish, Romanian and Urdu

More information

For further information on where to access the right medical care, visit Right care right place | NHS inform

7 July - COP26 is coming to Glasgow - your chance to be a part of it!

The 'Conference of Parties' - "COP26"  is coming to Glasgow and we want our staff to be a part of it.

Next week we are launching a range of unique opportunities for council family staff to get involved in  the United Nations Climate Change Conference which will run from 31 October to 12 November at the SEC.

Building on the success of our previous 'We Need You' campaigns, such as Glasgow 2018 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, next week we are launching around 75 short term temporary job opportunities to council family staff -to help deliver COP26.

So watch this space for more details on how you can bring your skills and experiences into the delivery of COP26 in Glasgow, experience a once in a life time opportunity to play a key role in a prestigious world event and benefit your professional development at the same time.

Roles and application details will be launched next week.

7 July - New Head of Corporate Policy and Governance appointed

The council has appointed Michelle McGinty as its new Head of Corporate Policy and Governance.

Michelle has fulfilled a variety of key roles across the council since joining in 2007.

Michelle is currently Head of the council's COP26 Team, responsible for delivering the strategic, communications and operational support required to make this year's event safe and successful. Michelle will retain a key role in making sure the council's strategic objectives as host of COP are met.

Prior to this, Michelle was Head of Strategic Communications for the successful Glasgow 2018 European Championships and a Senior Adviser in the council's 2014 Commonwealth Games team.

Michelle was also Head of Media for Glasgow's 2018 Youth Olympic Games Bid Team, a role she took after leaving the Leader's Office where she had been Senior Adviser to the Leader of the Council.

Before joining Glasgow City Council, Michelle worked as a journalist at several publications including Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News.

7 July - Gateway - supporting young people to success

Gateway Shared Services team, based in Castlemilk, is making a real difference to the career prospects of young people across Scotland.

The team provide online services - used by teachers and young people - to support careers education, developing the young workforce and the young person's guarantee.

The initiative, established in 1989, is a not-for-profit consortium of ten Scottish local authorities*- with Glasgow City Council being the lead authority and all 20 staff are employed by the council.

The multi-skilled team includes, web developers and designers, editorial staff, health and safety officers and work experience administrators and management.

The team work very closely with colleagues within the council's Education Service and other council services. They have recently collaborated on the development of:

• Early Years pastoral notes - a system for recording information related to the wellbeing of children attending nursery

• Focus - a web based interactive tool that enables schools to examine achievement of curriculum for excellence levels - developed in collaboration with Education and the council's Graphics team.

• The Glasgow Guarantee website which supports the council's employability programme.

Adele Bowman, Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are committed to helping young people achieve their full potential by providing services which support Careers Education and the Education sector. Of Scotland's 32 local authorities, 28 use at least one of our services.

"We provide a range of high quality career and learning-related products and services to our consortium partners, other local authorities and various public sector organisations."

Key services - delivered collaboratively with other local authorities - include:

• Planit - a website providing careers information and advice for 13 to 19 year olds 
• Workit - an online work placement management system for schools across Scotland
• CPD Manager - an online system supporting the management and reporting of local authorities' Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes for Education and Social Work staff
• EYPN - a secure web-based system to record pastoral information for children in the early years sector.

Adele added: "We provide young people with the online tools and information they need to learn about work and the career pathways available to them. We also supply schools with a tool to manage their employer work placement programme.

"Our aim is help young people to make the most of their potential and to move on to a job, a training opportunity or higher or further education."

Adele concluded: "Gateway has recently been awarded the Investors in People Platinum award - only three percent of accredited IIP organisations achieve accreditation at this level. We're absolutely delighted with this formal recognition for the work that we do.

"Looking to the future, our focus is to continue to deliver services which meet the needs of our partners in the 'new normal' and to support national priorities including Developing the Young Workforce and the Young Person's Guarantee. The shift to increased digital learning as a result of COVID-19 means our services are more relevant than ever."

More information

You can find out more at ceg.org.uk

* Consortium partners are: East Ayrshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, North Ayrshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, West Dunbartonshire Council.

7 July - Gary - walking his way to Award nominations

Gary Linstead, Countryside Ranger (south east), a member of the Natural Environment Team with Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS) is delighted to have been nominated for two Scottish Walking Awards 2021.

Gary was nominated for the Public Sector Walking Champion Award for his work - alongside volunteers from Glasgow Ramblers and seven community groups involved. The four-part walking trail project,was also nominated for the Most Improved Walking Place.

A key aim of our Countryside Rangers is to 'connect people with their green places, and to enhance public enjoyment and care of the outdoors.'

The name of the trail comes from the eleven miles of the walk through seven parks and greenspaces - some of which Gary describes as 'hidden gems'.

Over the last few years, Gary has led and worked with Glasgow Ramblers, the Friends of Linn, Kings, Castlemilk Parks, Fernbrae Meadows and Carmunnock Community Council and Heritage Society to make the trail a reality.

Work undertaken with Glasgow Ramblers, Friends of Linn, Kings, Castlemilk Parks, Fernbrae Meadows and Carmunnock Community Council and Heritage Societyhas included: surveying local paths to work out the best route between the sites; installing over 160 steps, several foot bridges and stiles, as well as ongoing repairs and maintenance.

In recent years Gary and Glasgow Ramblers have focused on raising funding for a promotional leaflet to be designed and published, and to cover the cost of installation of over 125 waymarker posts and signage around the walk. A new 'Friends of the Magnificent 11' group has also been established to help sustain the route into the future.

Gary said: "The nomination is appreciated, but credit must also go to Glasgow Ramblers and their dogged determination to bring the route to fruition. We now have a wonderful new circular walk that connects many local green spaces on the south side of the city.

"As we all know, the world is facing an ecological and climate emergency and in November Glasgow will host COP26 to explore these issues. So let's all play our part to 'Make Glasgow Greener' and get out there to enjoy the great outdoors that is literally on our doorstep in our city, known as the 'Dear Green Place."

Sue Hilder, Outdoor Access Officer, Planning and Building Standards, NRS said: "We're delighted that Gary's hard work has officially been recognised. The chair of Glasgow Ramblers told us that Gary faced stiff competition and the winner went on to become the Champion of Champions."

Sue added: "I take my hat off to Gary who came up with idea of the Magnificent Eleven Trail back in 2010. His plan was to help people discover some of Glasgow's lesser-known but very special greenspaces, by linking them together through a circular walking route. Slowly but surely, working alongside all noted volunteers his vision has been achieved; efforts that deserve this recognition."

The Magnificent 11 walking trail - and trail leaflet - are expected to be officially launched to the public in the autumn.

More information

• Find out more about what the NRS Glasgow's Countryside Rangers at glasgow.gov.uk

• Find our more about Outdoor learning in Glasgow at glasgow.gov.uk

• Find out more about Glasgow Flower Power Wildflower Nursery at glasgow.gov.uk

7 July - New telephone system for council family - what you need to know

The telephone system across the council family has been refreshed and new Mitel phones are now in place.

What are the benefits?

• The council has a single phone system across all sites

• All internal calls (to any council site) are free of charge

• All standard handsets have been replaced with new standard handsets

  Flexibility to log in and out of the phone system through the handsets and use the same number to work in different locations

• Voicemail available to anyone who wants it

What hasn't changed?

All telephone numbers are the same.

Support and guidance - online training tutorial

Before returning to the office you can do an online training tutorial to give you more information about the handset, click on this link:

http://training.mitel.com/cw/WebSite/techTraining/OnlineTutorials/Mitel%206900_Series_FeatureTeacher_output/story_html5.html

You save the link as a favourite so that you have it handy to reference.

There is also a quick reference guide next to the handset on each desk.

If there any issues with your new phone set up, you don't have the correct number on the phone please phone the CGI service desk

What does the new phone handset look like?

Desk phone handset (for offices and desks) is called The Mitel 6920 - features are:

Large 3.5" colour LCD display

Speech optimised and hearing aid compatible handset

High quality full-duplex speakerphone

Dual port for the connection of a PC

USB headset support

18 programmable personal keys

4 context sensitive soft keys

Wall mounted handset (for small work spaces, for example service cupboard's) is the Mitel 5304- features are:

Small footprint and a significantly thinner profile when wall-mounted

Two-line 20-charater backlit display

Dual port for the connection of a PC

eight programmable keys

7 July - Filming restrictions - city centre; check before you travel

Staff from NRS Film Office and Events team have been working with production teams from Disney and Warner Brothers.

The city centre is being used for filming of two large scale film productions this month; this will result in a number of road closures from mid to late July.

Street dressing has already started for the productions - to make John Street, Cochrane Street and parts of St Vincent Street look American. This activity will only require parking suspension and no road closures. There may be lane closures required due to street dressing vehicles, such as cherry pickers being used.

During the street dressing stage pedestrian access will not be restricted. However, there may be times when the production team are working at height when pedestrians will be asked to wait a few minutes.

When filming starts, roads will be closed and vehicle access restricted. If loading or unloading is required this can be arranged with the production - all those directly affected should now be in discussions with the production company discussing alternative to normal delivery times.

When filming starts pedestrian access will be restricted during 'action'. Anyone wishing access or egress from a property within the closures may be asked to wait by film security until it is safe. The production company should already be in discussions with directly affected properties to discuss access / egress arrangements with those affected.

A number of properties have agreed to close during the filming period.  Those that have chosen to remain open will still be granted pedestrian access when safe to do so.

Staff access to City Chambers / John Street / Cochrane Street

Most of the restrictions do not directly impact on the City Chambers. However, there will be no access to the Quadrangle or John Street parking areas on the days listed below. Alternative parking is being arranged by the City Chambers duty managers.

• the evening of Tuesday 13 July

• all day on Wednesday 14 July

• Saturday 24 July

• Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 July.

On these days there may also be short holds for pedestrians moving through the streets around the Chambers while action shots are filmed.

Some work has taken place already to transform Cochrane Street in advance of the filming and there will be more equipment and activity around the City Chambers complex over the coming days as the set dressing progresses.

• Access to the City Chambers may be subject to delays during the set build.

• You should have your staff ID pass available to gain entry during this time and add extra time as you may be asked to wait whilst the cameras are rolling.

• All affected staff will receive alternative access details from the City Chambers Duty Managers in the coming days.  

More information - check before you travel

If you work in the city centre, or will be travelling around these dates, please make yourself aware of the streets affected.

• View the full list of road restrictions here