Colleague update

It’s Friday and it’s Bonfire Night!

However you plan to mark the 416th anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot, make sure your celebrations are fun and above all safe.

Our friends at North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service have some top tips to ensure you have a night to remember for all the right reasons.

Unsurprisingly the ongoing pandemic still seems to be impacting on the availability of the large organised fireworks displays many of us were accustomed to before 2020. The choice is limited this year.

Tomorrow night’s event at North Yorkshire Water Park, Wykeham, is sold out and we’ve heard the organisers won’t be selling tickets on the gate. If you’re lucky enough to have advance tickets, have a great time!

Elsewhere, there is a bonfire and fireworks display tonight at Burniston and Cloughton village hall.

If you don’t mind travelling further afield, there is an event this evening over the border at the Ship Inn, Sewerby and tomorrow night at Guisborough Cricket Club. An easy search on Facebook will give you details of both celebrations.

Local government reorganisation – draft Structural Change Order

The next big step in our move to a new council is the draft Structural Change Order from government, which landed this week.

The draft order sets out the important parts of how the change will be managed. It includes the proposed name of the new organisation and the political arrangements, including the number of wards there will be.

Find out more about the order on the new council intranet and why it’s an important part of the process for all councils involved.

You can also watch the video below from Barry Khan, the assigned lead officer for the corporate governance work stream.

Take part in Time to LEAD!

Our Time to LEAD! programme has been so successful that we are launching a fourth cohort for 2022.

The programme is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of job role or status, to demonstrate their drive and energy to bring more to the organisation. It will help you learn how to apply your enthusiasm to improve the impact you have at work, to develop the leaders of the future and support their potential to achieve for the people of our borough.

34 of our staff are already on the programme; we are sure you have heard them rave about it!

The programme will involve a range of formal and informal activities, including leadership training, opportunities to work on innovation and with external partners.

You don’t need to have specific qualifications or experience. You just need to apply and show your passion, willingness to work hard, and explain why you want to be considered.

The application process is now open. Full guidance on how to apply, along with details of the innovation challenge and work placements, can be found on Porthole.

The application deadline is Wednesday 1 December.

Discounted gym membership offers

As a valued colleague we’d like to let you know about two discounted offers for gym membership.

The first is with Everyone Active, the company that manages the facilities we own at Scarborough Sports Village, Whitby Leisure Centre and Pindar Leisure Centre.

Each has fitness facilities that you can access at a discounted rate of £22.99 a month or with an annual payment of £229.90.

Scarborough Sports Village and Whitby Leisure Centre also have pools for swimming and aqua classes. Access to the pools is included in the membership.

Pindar Leisure Centre-only memberships are available at £14.99 (no concession).

To find out more and sign up to become a member, go to the Everyone Active website.

You’ll need to change the default adult membership selection to ‘concession’ to secure the discounted rate. On your first visit to your chosen centre, take along proof that you work for the council. Your pay slip or ID badge will do.

The second offer is for Compass gym in Scarborough, which is offering a free, three day trial at its club on Barry’s Lane.

You can make use of the trial by going along to the club with your proof of employment or email the gym to arrange a pass.

If you decide to join after the trial, you will be able to take advantage of these discounts:

• first three months membership at half price

• a corporate membership rate of £21 contracted or £25 non-contracted

• a £5 discount on any treatments in the Reiki room

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election

If you are registered to vote, on Thursday 25 November you will be able to have your say on who represents you as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The commissioner is the elected representative who oversees the police force and fire service in the county.

The candidates standing in the election are:

• Hannah Barham-Brown – Women’s Equality Party

• James Barker – Liberal Democrats

• Zoe Metcalfe – Conservative Party

• Emma Scott-Spivey – Labour Party

• Keith Tordoff – Independent

Information about the candidates can be found on the Choose my PCC website.

Get detail on how to apply for postal, proxy and emergency proxy votes on the news section of our website.

Have a great weekend and stay safe!