Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Housing and Environment which detailed the achievements of the Service over the past year.  In particular, the report advised of the awards that had been received by the Service as follows:

• Loo of the Year Awards (five stars were attained at the Upperkirkgate facilities; and four stars were attained at the Footdee, Chapel Street and Spa Street facilities).
• Environmental Initiative of the Year Award – joint winners for the Tree for Every Citizen project.  This project was also a finalist at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards.
• Corporate Award in recognition of the work undertaken by Pat Wilson (Support Assistant) in managing the administration arrangement’s for the city’s allotments.
• The Horticulture Apprentice of the Year, awarded to Daniel Shand, who also won the Apprentice Award at the Annual Flower Show of the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen.
• Corporate Award in recognition of the work undertaken by Pamela Catto and Mark Nicoll in organising the elementary food hygiene training for businesses within the city.
• Tenant Participation Advisory Service Accreditation in recognition of best practice in tenant participation for Aberdeen Sheltered Housing Network.
• CoSLA Bronze Award in ‘One to Watch’ category for the city wardens.
• Corporate Award in recognition of the work undertaken by the city wardens in organising street football in the Northfield area of the city.
• Corporate Award received by Alison Murison and Rosslyn MacLeod (city wardens) for dealing with conflict.
• Corporate Award in recognition of the work undertaken by Annie Wood, Angela Ferrie and David McDougall (city wardens) to ensure that frail residents were safe during the adverse weather.
• Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Apprentice Awards (specifically Joanna Robertson who was nominated in the ‘female building skills’ section, Robert Burr, who was awarded for ‘best second year painting and decorating apprentice’ and nominated in the ‘male building skills’ section and also nominated as Apprentice of the Year, and Stephanie Wright, who was awarded for ‘best second year painting and decorating apprentice’ (joint award) and nominated in the ‘best female skills’ section and also for Apprentice of the Year.  Stephanie had also been shortlisted to take part in the World Skills competition.
• Chief Executive Award in recognition of the work undertaken by Doug Gibb (Apprentice Mentor) in relation to the apprentice support scheme.

In addition to the awards received, the report also highlighted (1) that the cremators at Hazlehead crematorium had now been replaced with minimal disruption to the ongoing operations at the crematorium; (2) that the Tenants’ Open Day had been a success, and had been very well attended; and (3) that the New Build Council Housing Programme was now underway, this being the first step in moving towards the provision of new, high quality homes in the city.

The Committee paid tribute to the staff, and congratulated and thanked them for all of the hard work and dedication they had exhibited over the past year.  Members alluded to the fact that they had met with many of the award winners prior to the commencement of the meeting, and suggested that if this format was followed in future years, that the meeting be moved to the Council Chamber.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note the information as contained within the report;

(ii)        to congratulate all members of staff on their achievements; and

(iii)       to agree that in future years, that should the same format be followed (ie if members are invited to meet the award winners prior to a meeting), that the particular meeting be held in the Council Chamber.