ELC Purchase Cards - changes

In the next month, there will be important changes for staff who currently have an East Lothian Council purchase card.

Replacement Cards

As a result of new government legislation to tackle fraud prevention, all existing cards will be replaced with new cards which have additional security requirements. New replacement cards will be issued to you all in the next couple of weeks with some key information set out below:

• All cards will now be issued alongside card readers. This will be particularly relevant if you are ordering goods / services on-line – where you will be asked to follow instructions on screen and enter the card within the card reader. Instructions for the use of the card readers will be emailed out to all card users. Please note that we are still awaiting detailed information from Barclaycard on the use of this, and more details will be issued to you all as soon as it is available.
• Some cardholders may have already received communication directly from Barclaycard – if you have any queries, please email Purchase Cards.
• All security / pin numbers will remain unchanged
• When you receive your new card, please ensure that your old card is destroyed appropriately (there is no need to return the old card to the Purchase Card administrator)
• If you do not receive a replacement card and card reader by the end of August, please email Purchase Cards. 

Replacement to CARDPLUS

• All purchase card statements are currently reconciled through a system called CARDPLUS. This system will no longer be available after 19th September, and a new system is currently being developed by Barclaycard.
• An on-line training manual is in the process of being developed and will be emailed to all users and authorisers as soon as possible.

Use of Purchase Cards

Please ensure that the use of Purchase Cards remains appropriate, and should only be used when alternative procurement methods are not available. Where alternative methods of procuring goods and services can be identified such as PECOS this should be used.

If you have any queries, please email Purchase Cards.

Best Start Foods

A new pre-paid card has been launched to help pregnant women and families with children under three buy healthy food. Best Start Foods replaces Healthy Start Vouchers in Scotland.

The card can be used to buy:

• Fresh eggs
• Milk (plain cow's milk and first infant formula)
• Fruit/ vegetables (fresh, frozen, or tinned - those with added salt and sugar are excluded)
• Pulses (eg, peas, lentils and beans - dried, fresh, frozen or tinned).

The payment is £17 every four weeks during pregnancy and for any children aged between one and three. For children under one it increases to £34.

The chip and pin mastercard can be used in supermarkets and local shops.

People living in Scotland receiving certain benefits or tax credits who are either pregnant or the parent/carer of a child can apply for Best Start Foods. The payment is administered by Social Security Scotland. More information is available online.

Armed Forces eLearning module

A new e-learning module has been launched through East Lothian Council's 'LearnPro' system to improve understanding of the needs of the Armed Forces Community in our area and raise awareness of the supports available to them.

LearnPro is the council's online learning system, available to staff and wider community partners. The new Armed Forces eLearning Module was developed in conjunction with Lothian Armed Forces and Veterans Project. 

East Lothian Community Planning Partnership have signed an Armed Forces covenant to support the forces community living in the county.

The community covenant, which complements the national Armed Forces covenant offers an opportunity for the council and its partners to bring their knowledge, experience and expertise together to provide help, support and advice to the armed forces community.

It also encourages the integration of service life into civilian life.

East Lothian Council’s Armed Forces Champion Councillor Jim Goodfellow said: “I’m pleased that we are able to offer this module through LearnPro to our staff and other partners area. I encourage people to use it to better understand support members of our Armed Forces community in East Lothian.”

Access LearnPro online: http://eastlothiancouncil.learnprouk.com

Once you have logged in you will find the module under ‘Essentials’.

The Big Fit Walk

Volunteers from Ageing Well and CHANGES are leading a Big Fit Walk on Tuesday 3 September. It's free, easy and lots of fun - especially if you bring a friend.

It's not a race, it's about having fun and staying health. Everyone is welcome. There's a prize draw, tea/coffee and scones after the walk and information about other walks and activities in your area.

You can choose between a Bronze (30 minute), Silver (45 minute) or Gold (60 minute walk).

The walk leaves from Dunbar Town House Museum. Registration opens at 10am with the walk starting at 10.30am.

There's no need to register but, for more information, contact Parvine at Ageing Well on 01620 827240, or Heather at CHANGES on 0131 653 1080.

Leuchie House challenge

Leuchie House is holding an ‘It’s a Knockout’ challenge on Saturday 31 August 2019.

Teams of between 6 and 10 people are invited to enter the event and take on the inflatable assault course to raise money for Leuchie’s services. The obstacles are designed to unleash your inner child and test your strength, agility, speed and teamwork. Spectators can enjoy watching all the action with food vans, face painting and music adding to the atmosphere.

The ‘It’s a Knockout’ challenge runs from 10am-1pm. Registration starts at 9am and the team entry fee is £200.

For more information contact Lana Bambridge at Leuchie House on 01620 892864 or by email.

For more information on Leuchie House from their website.