Overtoun House is holding a spring Doors Open Day, Saturday, 20 March.
The doors will be open 10 to 4 with tours of the house given every half hour.
The tea room will be open as well for your enjoyment.

Everyone is welcome!

West Dunbartonshire Council was advised yesterday (Thursday 25th February) that CoSLA has formally confirmed that Councils will not be in a position to meet the trade union pay claim for 2010/11. This is in response to a claim by the trade unions for an increase of 3% or £600 a year (whichever is greater). Trade unions have bee invited to take part in further talks.

Councillor Michael Cook, CoSLA’s Strategic Human Resource Spokesperson said:  “We have not taken this decision lightly.  We have consulted with councils across Scotland and the message from them is clear and consistent - the trade unions’ claim is simply not affordable or sustainable."

The Employers side of the Scottish Joint Council (SJC) have thanked the trade union side for their detailed 2010 pay claim and have issued an Employers response clarifying the considerations taken in reaching their decision.

For further details please see:

• CoSLA statement

• Trade Union Response

• Employers side Response

Further updates will be provided by the Council as talks continue.

Following the publication of Audit Scotland’s progress report for West Dunbartonshire Council in July 2009, the Accounts Commission noted the following:

• A positive commitment from Council staff to providing Best Value
  

• A high level of performance in a number of Council services, particularly Education and Social Work
  

• Good progress in improving corporate working and increasing management capacity
  

• A lack of progress against 4 priority areas – strategic leadership, competitiveness, community engagement and organisational culture.

The Council was urged to continue to implement the Best Value Improvement Plan at an increased pace and with specific focus on the four priority areas outlined above. The report concluded that a further Best Value Audit progress report would be carried out by Audit Scotland in early 2010.

The 2010 progress report has been prepared by Audit Scotland and submitted to the Accounts Commission for consideration at its meeting on February 18th.

The final report will be published by West Dunbartonshire Council and Audit Scotland on receipt of the Account Commission findings. A media statement will be provided by West Dunbartonshire Council at this time.

PRESIDING OFFICERS AND POLLING CLERKS

Staff lists are currently being compiled for the forthcoming UK Parliamentary Election.  No date has been announced as yet but the Election must be held by 3 June 2010.

Applications for posts of Presiding Officer and Polling Clerk are invited.

The hours of poll will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and appointed staff must report to the polling place at least 30 minutes before the start of the poll. 

The fees to be paid are shown below and include a £30 payment for attendance at a training session which will be held approximately 7-10 days before the Election.

Applicants must not be active at or about the elections on behalf of any of the candidates or parties, nor be related to any candidate.

Submission of an application form does not guarantee an appointment.

Fill in the online application form

Further general information on the posts can be obtained by calling 0800 587 3905.

David McMillan
Returning Officer

February 2010

Payments
Presiding Officer No. 1 £248 gross
Presiding Officer £230 gross
Polling Clerk £147 gross