Voluntary redundancy window extended

Following a request from the Trade Unions, the voluntary redundancy window has been extended to Sunday, 8 February 2026. If you wish to apply, you will need to complete an online application and submit it to your manager by this date.

Applications will be assessed based on service needs, impact on the team, and financial savings.

Applications require final approval by the corporate leadership team (CLT). If approved, your expected last day of employment will be Saturday, 31 October 2026.

Full council round-up

Full council was held on Wednesday, 14 January.

Highlights include:

• Council leader, Councillor Anne Handley, presented an outline of a strategic review, transformation and new target operating model.
• Councillors unanimously passed a motion to provide quicker support for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and other progressive terminal conditions.

CQC update

Our improvement work continues to progress. The improvement board has identified four key priorities for our improvement journey:

• performance - focusing on data recording, reporting and how they are used to drive improvements
• safeguarding - reducing waiting times
• waiting lists - ensuring waiting lists are prioritised
• practice - improving care market and our practice.

An improvement plan has been put together to detail and monitor our progress in these critical areas. 

Register Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) event

The free Preparing for Adulthood event is open to young people aged 13 and over with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their families.

Attendees can expect a marketplace-style event, with stallholders and workshops offering advice and support around the transition to adulthood.

Professionals working with children and young people with SEND are also welcome to attend.

Please share this event with anyone who you think may be interested.

📅Wednesday, 4 February

🕐1-6.30pm

📍Mercure Hotel, Willerby

Could you be an independent visitor?

An independent visitor is a trained volunteer who visits and befriends a young person in care.

Independent visitors act as positive role models for our young people, providing a safe, fun space for them to unwind.

Can you spare a couple of hours each month to be an independent visitor?

Email the team to find out how you can get involved.

Last chance to nominate for Chairman's Awards 2026

The Chairman’s Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses, and projects that have made a significant impact on our community.

The Chairman, Councillor Liam Dealtry, will present the awards at an event taking place on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

The awards celebrate excellence across four categories: Community, Built Heritage, Business and Sport.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, 31 January 2026.

Catch up on our latest EDI forum

Our recent equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) forum took place on Wednesday, 17 December, focusing on long-term health conditions and workplace wellness.

Missed the forum? Watch the recording using the button below.

Adult learning has courses to help your wellbeing

Adult Learning and Employability are offering courses this month to support your wellbeing. These include wellbeing support, money management workshops and fun Learning for Leisure courses. 

Have you had your performance review?

Performance reviews can be held anytime throughout the year - from 1 April to 31 March

They are a great way for your line manager to gain a better understanding of your skills, abilities and development needs.

If you haven’t had yours yet, speak with your manager to find out when it will be.

Do you live in the East Riding? If so, please consider switching to paperless council tax billing. 

More than 30,000 people have already made the switch, helping us save on paper, printing and postage costs. Please consider switching to paperless billing and encourage others to do so too.

We have violence and aggression at work guidelines

Our violence and aggression at work guidelines explain what you and your manager should do if you experience violence, aggression or harassment from members of the public or anyone outside the council while at work.

They set out your responsibilities for reporting incidents, how your manager will support you, and where you can find further help.

From February, brown bins will be collected weekly in two stages for homes in the East Riding.

The move is part of a new Government requirement that all councils collect food waste households on a weekly basis. 

Sarah Atkinson, our waste manager, talks more about this change, why it’s important and what we’re doing to ensure a seamless transition.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance has been training staff in gyms, yoga studios, leisure centres, and other health and wellbeing settings in the region. This includes East Riding Leisure and members of the health and wellbeing team.

This training helps staff encourage customers to attend their cervical cancer screening appointments. It also educates them about the symptoms of the disease during January, which is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

By taking part in this training, these staff can raise awareness about cervical cancer symptoms and reduce barriers that may stop customers from booking their screening appointments.

Call for colleagues with lived experience of endometriosis

We’re looking to connect with colleagues who have lived experience of endometriosis.

If you feel comfortable, we would value your support in either or both of the following:

• Helping shape signposting resources so that our information for staff is genuinely meaningful and reflects real experiences.
• Sharing your insights or experiences (anonymously, if preferred) to help us raise awareness and improve understanding across the organisation.

Win a family swim at East Riding Leisure

We are offering you the chance to win a family swim voucher.

The family swim voucher is valid for two adults and up to three children (age 3-16), and can be redeemed at our East Riding Leisure sites in Hornsea, Bridlington, Haltemprice, Withernsea and Beverley.

Entries close on Sunday, 8 February, after which date the winner will be chosen at random.

Cycling 100 laps for Rob Burrow Centre for MND

Lee Stephenson from road safety team is raising funds to support the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, which provides specialist care and support for those living with Motor Neurone Disease.

On Sunday, 1 March 2026, a dedicated team of eight cyclists will take to the streets, each aiming to complete 100 laps of the 4km circuit through Beverley.