Staff News - November 2022
Message from the CEO - Staff Engagement
Dear Colleagues,
We are undoubtably facing one of the most financially challenging times we have ever seen. Many of you and your families will already be feeling the impacts from this - with steeply rising fuel and energy prices, increasing interest rates and the subsequent rising costs of everyday living.
The Highland Council is taking steps to address the cost-of-living crisis, and as some of you will know, we have set out a package of support agreed by Council on 22 September 2022. If you have not yet seen the detail of this, then I would strongly encourage you to read this report. A further report was considered by Council on 27 October 2022 and there is more information on how you can get advice and support with money concerns on our webpage www.highland.gov.uk/costofliving.
As a result of the economic crisis in the UK and the knock on effects on all organisations, we are anticipating an indicative budget gap of £40.9 million for the next financial year - 2023/2024. I recognise the immense challenges this presents for us as a Council, but equally, I want to provide you with the assurance that we are taking the necessary steps to plan ahead and your input will be a key part to our response in the coming months.
Over the coming days and weeks, I will be hosting a number of employee engagement sessions, both in person and online, which will focus on how we continue to work together as a staff team in these very difficult times.
I always enjoy meeting you and hearing your thoughts and ideas and what is important to you in your role and your communities. I am keen to hear from all staff across the Highland Council and I would like to welcome you to join me in one of the upcoming sessions. The dates for each of the initial online sessions are detailed below along with the Teams Link for you to join.
I look forward to meeting with you all soon.
Best wishes,
Donna Manson
|
Date |
Time |
Teams Link |
|
Monday 31 October |
11:00 – 12:00 |
|
|
Monday 31 October |
13:00 – 14:00 |
|
|
Thursday 3 November |
09:00 – 10:00 |
|
|
Thursday 3 November |
14:00 – 15:00 |
|
|
Friday 4 November |
11:00 – 12:00 |