PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING

Boost Your Project Management Skills

NEREO returns on Thursday 24th September to deliver interactive Project Management Training. This session establishes a consistent, practical approach across the council, covers the project life cycle, and builds confidence in using council governance arrangements, checkpoints, and project tools.

Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the key stages of the project life cycle.
2. Gain confidence in Moray Council’s roles, responsibilities, and governance.
3. Discover and learn when to apply various project management methodologies.
4. Recognise the importance of managing change and pace to overcome barriers.

• How to Book: Book directly via CLIVE or email organisational.development@moray.gov.uk

Corporate Training Calendar

The Comms team is introducing a new series of communication workshops throughout July. Please note that Discipline: Policy, Procedures & Practice and Health & Work courses have been moved to September.

• July 8th: Communications Training for All Staff
• July 9th: Advanced Social Media
• July 15th: Media & Content Training (Heads of Service & Service Managers)
• July 16th: Advanced Social Media Training (Corporate Account Admins)
• July 21st: Communication Training for All Staff – Online
• July 22nd & 23rd: Media & Content Training (Heads of Service & Service Managers)
• August 26th: Recruitment Training
• September 1st: Discipline: Policy, Procedures & Practice
• September 1st: Health & Work
• September 24th: Project Management
• How to Book: Log into your CLIVE account. For login support or questions, email organisational.development@moray.gov.uk

INTERNAL RECOGNITION & ENGAGEMENT

STAR Awards 2026

The countdown to the annual Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Awards has begun. These awards celebrate individuals and teams who bring Moray Council's values to life through exceptional service, dedication, and compassion. Categories and nomination criteria will be announced in the coming months on Interchange.

Key Timeline (2026):

• Nominations Open: Monday 10 August
• Nominations Close: Friday 28 August
• Judging Week: Week commencing 14 September
• Awards & Thanks Letters Issued: Week commencing 28 September

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT COVER

Summer Holiday Management Cover Arrangements

With the summer holidays underway, managers must ensure that all operating services remain appropriately staffed. Please establish clear management cover arrangements and communicate them to working staff so they know who to contact for support during this period.

New Corporate Leadership Network

We are launching a new Corporate Leadership Network on Viva Engage for the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), Extended CLT (ECLT), and Service Managers to share key management and engagement updates.

• Action Required: This channel is being piloted to eventually replace email leadership updates. Please accept the upcoming invitation link and enable your notifications. For questions, contact the Organisational Development (OD) team.

NEW & UPDATED POLICIES

The following policies and guidance notes received committee approval in May 2026 and are now live on Interchange:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
• Fixed Term & Temporary Contracts Guidance
• Recruitment & Selection Policy & Procedures
• Special Leave Policy (Disability Leave)
• Bullying and Harassment
• Whistleblowing
• Access Link: View the full documents - Policies

STATUTORY COMPLIANCE & LEGAL DUTIES

Disclosure Act: 5-Year PVG Scheme Membership

Disclosure Scotland is transitioning to a mandatory five-year membership scheme. Many Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) members do not need to take immediate action. However, members who have not applied since PVG moved online in 2021 must register their current email address to receive transition instructions.

• Action Required: Email dsupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot with the subject header "Email address update". Include your name, date of birth, PVG scheme number, and current email address.

Manager Action: Remind teams to keep personal data updated via the Employee Self-Serve (ESS) Portal to ensure legal compliance. Full details are available via Disclosure Act update – Five-year PVG scheme membership - Disclosure Scotland

Talentlink: Recruitment Compliance Process

The Council has a statutory duty to report all job applications, interviews, and new starters.

• Mandatory Action: Managers must record all interview details on the portal according to Talentlink guidance available HERE
• GDPR Compliance: Vacancy files must be closed promptly at the end of recruitment to trigger the automatic archiving of applications in line with GDPR regulations and the myjobscotland privacy policy.

Equality Data Collection

The Council collects confidential data on protected characteristics (ethnicity, race, religion, marital status, disability, sex, sexuality, and gender reassignment) during recruitment to ensure fair employment practices.

• Action Required: Many employees leave this incomplete. Staff are strongly encouraged to update their equality details, bank details, address, and phone numbers via the Employee Self-Serve (ESS) Portal. Guidance on using the system is hosted on Interchange.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & HEALTH

New ULEV Car Scheme

Following the completion of the procurement tender process, the council is entering the implementation phase for its new Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme. This scheme focuses exclusively on Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).

• How it works: Similar to the Cycle2Work scheme, you exchange a portion of your gross (pre-tax) salary for a fully maintained and insured ULEV. This reduces your Income Tax and National Insurance contributions, creating substantial savings. Launch dates will be posted on Interchange soon.

Transition to Specsavers for Employee Eyecare

Effective 1st September 2026, Specsavers becomes our official corporate eyecare provider.

• New Process: Employees must request and receive a corporate eyecare voucher prior to booking any Display Screen Equipment (DSE) eye test. Updated application guidance will go live on Interchange for the transition date.

Healthy Working Lives & Financial Wellness

• NHS Grampian: The Summer Workplace Newsletter is now available via the internal Summer Workplace Newsletter
• ThrivingTimes: The latest bumper edition of ThrivingTimes is live on ThrivingTimes . The main feature by Kevin McGeever (CEO of Health is One) explores how a daily walk benefits both mind and body. The edition also includes practical tools, expert blogs, and actionable strategies.

• Affinity Financial Courses: Financial education provider Affinity will host a series of courses over the coming months. Click the links on Interchange to book:
  • Planning for Retirement (In-Person and Online options available) Affinity Connect
  • Effective Tax Planning for Higher Earners (Grade 10 and above – Online): Covers tax, National Insurance, pension limits, and 2027 inheritance tax changes Affinity Connect
  • Taking Control of your Finances (Standard and Teaching Staff online versions) Affinity Connect Standard & Affinity Connect Teaching
  • Queries: Email bookings@affinityconnect.org

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Emergency Support Centre Managers

Moray Council is recruiting volunteer Support Centre Managers to operate public support hubs during severe emergencies like storms, flooding, or power outages. Volunteers must be calm under pressure and passionate about community care.

•  Details: See the "Are you Amazing?" article on Viva Engage.
• To Apply: Email Keli Palmer (Emergency Planner) at Keli.Palmer@moray.gov.uk or call 01343 563865.

Career Ready Mentors

Since 2014, the Council has supported the Career Ready programme to mentor disadvantaged young people. Volunteers are needed for the next intake starting in October.

• Commitment Required: Monthly one-hour contact sessions with a young person over an 18-month period, plus supporting a 4-week summer internship.
• To Apply: Contact organisational.development@moray.gov.uk ahead of the October start.

High School Career Fairs 2026/27

Thank you to all staff who represented the Council at recent high school career events to showcase our apprenticeships and career paths. The new academic term will bring more opportunities to support local young people.

• Get Involved: If you can deliver CV writing workshops, run mock interviews, or host an exhibition stand, contact karen.baker@moray.gov.uk