Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better
Action 8 in Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better states that a national network and information website for professionals, foster carers, residential workers, parents and looked after children and young people will be developed.
In partnership with the Looked After Children Education Forum and Learning and Teaching Scotland, the Website Working Group has completed this work in that the site was launched on the 6th May 2008 by Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, at a Corporate Parent event in East Lothian.
The aim of the website is to support improved outcomes for all looked after children, young people and care leavers through the provision of information, useful resources and networking opportunities to those who support them and others who have an interest in this area - including children and young people as well as parents and carers.
Download Further Details on Looked After Children
Single Outcome Agreements - Public Consultation
If you are a resident or business in West Dunbartonshire we would like your help in defining how the council, and its partners, will continue to deliver first-class services and how we will set and achieve our local targets.
The Scottish Government is in the process of introducing Single Outcome Agreements (SOA) – an agreement between West Dunbartonshire Council and national government, which will confirm how the council will meet its local targets and contribute to those of national government.
This is your opportunity to comment on the draft SOA.
For more information on how you can participate click SOA Consultation
Enterprising Britain
The search is now on to find the most enterprising place in Scotland as the Scottish Regional heat of the 2008 Enterprising Britain Competition gathers pace. The winner of the Scottish heat stands to gain a prize of £5,000 plus free publicity, PR opportunities and a place in the UK final in London.
Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK: it is open to any town, village or community that can best demonstrate how it has overcome challenge and enhanced its economic prospects through an innovative, entrepreneurial approach. Previous Scottish winners include Edinburgh Science Triangle (07) and West Kilbride Craft and Design village (06).
The Scottish heat is sponsored and managed by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Further information and the competition entry form are available on the Enterprising Britain web-site
Please note: Applicants in Scotland have until 18 April to submit their entry.
New Council Tax Instalment Date
West Dunbartonshire Council is asking people to get ready for its new due date for council tax instalment payments which is changing from the 28th to the 1st of each month.
The new payment date takes effect from 1 April 2008 and the council is urging those who pay their council tax by instalments to make sure they meet the new date or switch to direct debit for extra flexibility and to prevent falling into arrears.
The new payment date does not affect those already paying by direct debit. People using this easy payment method actually benefit from more instalments options throughout the month i.e. 1st; 15th or 28th.
Convener of Corporate Services, Cllr Craig McLaughlin, explains: “It is important to stress that people will not pay any more council tax under this new due date but will continue to only pay 10 instalments throughout the year.
“By introducing this new instalment due date we will replicate best practice models in other councils, make our processes easier to administer and improve our collection rates.
He added: “We are also asking people to consider paying by direct debit as not only is it an easy way to pay, but it offers more instalment date options and is a much more efficient collection method.
“People will shortly be receiving a letter notifying them of the new collection date and we would ask them to take the necessary steps as early as possible to organise their finances to meet the 1 April date and not put themselves at risk of falling into arrears. The letter will also include a direct debit form which I would encourage them to complete.”
Why Pay by Direct Debit?
If you have a bank or building society account the easiest way to pay your council tax is by direct debit.
There are many advantages to this payment option including:
- It will save you time and hassle
- Your council tax is paid automatically every month
- No more queuing at your bank, building society or post office
- No need to write and post a cheque or pay by cash
- You can choose the date that suits you best for payments i.e. 1st, 15th or 28th.
- You will avoid receiving unnecessary reminder notices.
Direct Debit Guarantee
This guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies taking part in the direct debit scheme and has three important safeguards:
- An immediate money back guarantee from your bank in the event of an error.
- If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, West Dunbartonshire Council will notify you at least 10 days in advance of your account being debited.
- The right to cancel at anytime.
To download a Direct Debit application form, please click on the link below:
Direct Debit Mandate
LIVE AT LOCH LOMOND – 2-3 AUGUST 2008
This Year’s Line up Announced
Groove Armada to Headline on Saturday
The bill for this year’s Live at Loch Lomond (2nd and 3rd August 2008) promises to be bigger and better than last year.
The festival is privileged to have confirmed the amazing Groove Armada, who celebrated their 10th anniversary in the music industry last year. The band will headline Saturday night, joining Sunday’s main act The Sex Pistols.
Other acts confirmed as we go to press are festival favourites Ocean Colour Scene, who recently sold out three dates at Glasgow’s infamous Barrowlands; Attic Lights; The Dykeenies and The Complete Stone Roses, with further acts to be confirmed.
More information on Live at Loch Lomond
No Cost To Taxpayer As Schools Regeneration Gets Green Light
West Dunbartonshire Council, in partnership with BAM PPP, are delighted to announce the Financial Close on its schools’ PPP project.
The deal was concluded on Monday 21st, and took advantage of a swap rate of 4.71% - the lowest rate available for months. The team at West Dunbartonshire were delighted with the outcome and are able to confirm that due to the low rate there will be no additional financial burden on the Council Tax or on other Council budgets.
Download Further Details on Schools Regeneration
Information on Clydebank High School
Information on St Peter the Apostles High School
Information on Vale of Leven Academy
