East Dunbartonshire Access Panel

28/03/2026

Glasgow Times Sports Podcast – Tuesday 24 March 2026
ACTION: Set this up for someone you support today.
If you support someone living with sight loss, you can help them stay connected to the latest Scottish football news in free, accessible audio.
This week’s headlines:

Rangers Training Focus – Rangers consider an overseas training camp to improve readiness for key late‑April fixtures.
SWPL Title Race – Glasgow City’s first defeat narrows their lead and increases pressure from Hearts, Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic Fan Relations – A new operations lead aims to rebuild engagement as over 400 fan groups call for improvements.

🎧 Listen now (free):
https://www.cueandreview.com/freepodcasts/
✅ Helps the person you support stay informed.
✅ Easy to use on smart speakers and online.
✅ Supports independence and connection through accessible audio.
Smart speaker setup:
Just say: “Alexa, enable Talking Newspapers.”
Please share this — it might help the next listener who relies on audio news.

27/03/2026

The next meeting of East Dunbartonshire Access Panel (EDAP) will be on Tuesday 31st March, at 3:00pm, in the EDVA offices in Kirkintilloch.
Please feel free to come along to see what we do, or alternatively contact us should you have any issues that you think EDAP may be able to assist you with.

02/02/2026

Blind Person’s Allowance
For your information, or for passing on to someone who it may affect.

In the UK, blind or severely sight-impaired individuals can claim the Blind Person’s Allowance (BPA), which increases the annual tax-free personal allowance by £3,130 for 2025-26. This allowance must be claimed through HMRC and can be transferred to a spouse or civil partner if not fully used.

A summary is noted below, but you can find out more details on the following Gov.UK web site:-
https://www.gov.uk/blind-persons-allowance/eligibility

Key Tax Exemptions and Reliefs (UK)
Blind Person's Allowance (BPA): An additional, fixed amount added to your tax-free personal allowance, enabling you to earn more before paying income tax.
Eligibility: You must be registered as blind or severely sight-impaired (SSI) with your local council and hold a certificate from a doctor or ophthalmologist. NOTE: On their website, under eligibility for Scotland, it states “You can claim Blind Person’s Allowance if you cannot do work that eyesight is essential for.” However, it appears that this information is incorrect, as apparently it is the same eligibility criteria as in England, that is, you must be registered as blind or severely sight-impaired (SSI) with your local council and hold a certificate from a doctor or ophthalmologist.
Transferable Allowance: If you do not pay tax, or cannot use the full allowance, you can transfer the unused portion to your spouse or civil partner, regardless of whether they are blind.
Backdating: The claim can be backdated for up to four years, potentially resulting in a tax refund.
How to Claim: You must inform HMRC directly (by phone, post, or self-assessment) to receive this allowance; it is not automatic.
Council Tax Reduction: If you live in a property that has been adapted to meet the needs of a blind person (such as having a room used for specific needs), you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction.

Additional Support
Benefits: You may be eligible for other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, or Employment Support Allowance.
Equipment: Free specialist equipment may be available, such as audio devices, or screen-reading software.
For personalised advice, contact the RNIB Tax Advice Service.

Blind Person's Allowance is an extra amount you can earn before paying tax - what you'll get, eligibility, how to apply and how to transfer your allowance

07/11/2025

For your information, from East Dunbartonshire Council:

East Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women and Girls is supporting the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December 2025. This international campaign calls for action to end violence against women and girls and promote equality, safety, and respect for everyone.

A range of local events and activities are planned across East Dunbartonshire during the campaign, bringing together residents, communities, partners, and services, to raise awareness and take positive action.

We would greatly appreciate your support in helping to raise awareness of these events by:

Displaying the attached posters in your venues, community spaces or offices, and

Sharing details of the events through your networks, newsletters, and social media channels.

Beyond the Break: Understanding the challenges of post separation abuse
Date: 4th December 2025;
Time: 11.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Kirkintilloch Town Hall
Booking: via Eventbrite Beyond the Break/ understanding the challenges of post separation abuse Tickets, Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

Empowering Deaf Women to Report Abuse
Date: 24th November 2025
Time: 11.30am - 2.30pm
Venue: Kirkintilloch Town Hall
Booking: via Eventbrite Empowering Deaf Woman to Report Domestic Abuse Tickets, Mon 24 Nov 2025 at 11:00 | Eventbrite

Your support to help us reach more people and strengthen our collective voice against gender-based violence.

If you would like printed posters or additional material, please get in touch with community planning partnership team via email: [email protected] .

05/11/2025

For your information, details of the budget consultation 2026/27 from East Dunbartonshire Council:

East Dunbartonshire Council is asking for your views on our budget plans for 2026/2027.

We want to hear from as many people as possible before we make important decisions about local services and spending. Your views will help us understand what matters most to you and your community.

Like all councils across Scotland, we are facing very difficult budget pressures. The cost of energy, fuel and material has gone up, and we are also paying more in areas such as national insurance. At the same time, the funding we receive is not keeping up with these rising costs.

By law, the Council must set a balanced budget. This means we need to find ways to save money or increase income, while continuing to provide essential services for our communities.

We want to hear your views to help us make these important decisions.

Please take a few minutes, around 5-10 minutes, to complete our short budget consultation survey.

You can complete it online at Budget Consultation 2026/27 - Have your say - East Dunbartonshire Council

Paper copies are also available, please contact our customer services on 0300 123 4510.

The consultation closes on Sunday 23 November 2025.

03/11/2025

For your information:

East Dunbartonshire Council are currently in the process of consulting on their proposed Climate Action Plan. Below are the links to the consultation information.

Please note that there is also a new drop-in session date at the Bishopbriggs Library on 10 December 2025 from 11:00-13:30.

EDC social media post regarding the CAP consultation:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNqE1uuZB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Consultation page on EDC website: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/about/our-council/consultations/draft-climate-action-plan-consultation/

Residents, communities, groups, organisations, workers and businesses across East Dunbartonshire – have a say and help to make a world of difference.

19/10/2025

The next meeting of East Dunbartonshire Access panel (EDAP) will be on Tuesday 28th October, starting at 3:00pm, in the EDVA offices, Unit 4 & 5, 18 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 1NL.
If you have any issues or concerns regarding mobility or accessibility, please feel free to get in touch to determine whether we may be able to advise and/ or assist you.
Or, indeed, feel free to come along to the meeting, either to talk to us directly about an issue or concern, or just to sit in on the meeting to find out more about what we do.

07/07/2025

A very big "Thank You" to all volunteers out there on national thank you day! Your volunteering to any group, not just EDAP, is so helpful to keeping a group running and its provision to others. So sit back and have a cuppa and know that all groups thank you, their volunteers for all you do! 🥳🎊🎈🎉

19/06/2025

The next meeting of East Dunbartonshire Access panel (EDAP) will be on Tuesday 24th June, starting at 3:00pm, in the EDVA offices, Unit 4 & 5, 18 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 1NL.

If you have any issues or concerns regarding mobility or accessibility, please feel free to get in touch to determine whether we may be able to advise and/ or assist you.

Or, indeed, feel free to come along to the meeting, either to talk to us directly about an issue or concern, or just to sit in on the meeting to find out more about what we do.

09/06/2025

Digital Switchover - Telecare Customers ACTION REQUIRED

Do you, or someone you know, have a Telecare system connected via the landline in your home?

The launch of the National Telecare Campaign is on Monday 2nd June. This is a once in a generation change to the UK’s landline infrastructure. As the country transitions from analogue to digital landlines, it’s essential to ensure that every Telecare user is supported.

BT Digital Voice have teamed up with VMO2 and the UK Government to deliver this campaign, with a really clear call to action for Telecare users across the UK. Simply put, they need all Telecare users to contact their landline provider as soon as possible, to let them know they use a Telecare device.

By Landline providers having this information, they’re collectively able to ensure uninterrupted access to the Telecare service you may rely on, throughout their upgrade to a digital landline. BT Digital Voice will also be in contact with all BT customers who they already know have Telecare to reassure them that their details are already recorded.

To support the launch of this National Telecare Campaign, BT have produced a comprehensive Partner Toolkit which will be available from Monday 2nd June.

This will include physical and digital assets, as well as guidance on how to use them, in order to amplify the campaign locally and nationally.

You will be able to access the Partner Toolkit through a link that will become available on this webpage:
" LGA Digital Switchover Hub "

This will be available from Monday 2nd June.

17/04/2025

Hi all,

EDC proposal for new graveyard.

Please read link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AV6P3ns8a/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Residents are being given a chance to find out about proposals to build a new cemetery in Bishopbriggs at a drop-in event on Thursday 24 April, 3-7.30pm, at Bishopbriggs Library and Community Hub, Kirkintilloch Road.
The existing Cadder Cemetery is approaching the end of its operational lifespan, requiring a replacement.
If you can’t make the drop in there’s still a chance to view the initial proposals, find out more and give your feedback by visiting the consultation page and survey via the link in the comments before Thursday 1 May.

26/03/2025

For Your Information:

As part of the efficiency savings/ cuts across East Dunbartonshire Council, the opening times of the Community Hubs will be changing from Monday 7 April 2025.

Kirkintilloch Community Hub will be open Monday to Friday – 1-4pm
Bishopbriggs Community Hub will be open Monday and Thursday – 1-4pm (closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Lennoxtown Community Hub will be open Tuesday and Friday – 1- 4pm (closed Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Milngavie Enterprise Centre (temporary Community Hub whilst Bearsden Community Hub is closed for essential repairs) will be open Wednesday and Friday – 1-4pm (closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)