Innovative youth Quality shines Full STEAM work partnership through for ahead for wins national SBC plannerss Borders award Railway

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 sbscene SPRING 2017 YOUR COUNCIL STAFF NEWSLETTER

Council launches Business World Business World is now live.

At the start of April, it replaced the three main systems that are used to manage our staff and finances with a single modern, efficient and integrated system.

SBC's Chief Financial Officer David Robertson said: "This is a huge change for the Council but one that will greatly improve how we work.

“It has taken a monumental effort from a Staff from SBC, and partners CGI and Agilisys, worked tirelessly to ensure Business great number of staff to launch the system World launched on time and celebrated with a special cake. and the efforts of everyone involved are greatly appreciated. We had people regularly coming in during weekends and Apprentices in focus holidays, and after normal office hours, and I can’t thank them enough.

“As with any major launch of this scale there have been some teething issues. However we have an incredibly hard working team who are working with our IT partner CGI to fine tune the system.

“A number of support measures are in place as we all get used to Business World and I would encourage you to take full advantage of these.”

FIS, Proactis and Resourcelink are no longer in use. To promote Scottish Apprenticeship Week our IT partner CGI ran a photo competition in conjunction with SBC open for all Modern Apprentices (MAs) working at the Council. Our MAs were asked to send in a photo of their You can find out more about daily working life that encapsulated their apprenticeship and showed that Business World on page 7. apprenticeships are changing. The winner was Siobhan Murphy (pictured) in Fleet Management. She won an Apple watch as a prize for this image. You can read more about our MAs on page 2. 2 My Job - Cameron Lyon

Cameron Lyon Modern Apprentice, Neighbourhood Services Cameron Lyon started working with Neighbourhood Services in August last year and is working towards his SVQ 2 Parks, Gardens and Greenspace at Borders College on day release.

How did you find out about the program? I found out about the scheme through a Council employee. I attended an interview to find out more about the MA opportunities. When I gained a place I was pretty chuffed although apprehensive.

How did you feel once you started the MA? I was worried about attending the college on a day release but (L once I went, I realised that the class has other apprentices in it. I really enjoy my job and get on very well with my colleagues and feel that I am learning every day. Cameron Lyon, MA Neighbourhood ServicesServices Give an example of a working day I start at 8am in the winter time and 7.30am in the summer time, finishing at 3.30pm in the winter and 4.15pm in the Networking group summer. I can spend a whole day or a whole week cutting back bushes and hedges and clearing cuttings and debris. I could Scottish Borders Young Professionals (SBYP) is a new be gritting one day, making new flower beds, painting lines on networking group for young professionals who live and/or work football pitch, blowing paths or weeding flower beds. The work in the Scottish Borders. depends on the weather and the season. They plan to organise social and training events tailored What do you enjoy most about your job? to members in the Borders. There are no job or industry I enjoy working in a team and when I have completed a job and limitations, age restrictions. can see the improvement I feel very satisfied. I enjoy learning new skills and working outdoors. For more information: [email protected] Would you recommend the MA programme to others? Yes. Most definitely. I think this has helped me with my Search 'Scottish Borders Young Professionals' on confidence, motivation, self-satisfaction, giving me a purpose, Facebook. which makes me feel better within myself and my personal life.

Since it was first introduced in 2014 the Modern Apprenticeship Support for young people (MA) scheme has gone from strength to strength with 68 apprenticeships recruited to date, across a number of council The Borders Children’s Charity (BCC) is keen to raise services. awareness of its work amongst professionals working with children who could benefit from funding. Alasdair Scott, Senior Employment Development Officer, said: “We’ve come a long way from the early days when we were The BCC helps children in physical, emotional or financial having to work quite hard to explain the benefits of MAs within distress. It is entirely run by a committee of volunteers. the workplace. Now we’re beginning to see some real success stories with officers appreciating just why having an MA on Applications for funding are accepted from social workers and their team can be of real benefit. We’re also seeing the MAs education and healthcare professionals. themselves achieving some outstanding results which they should all be very proud of.” Some of the most regularly requested items are beds, bedding, bedroom furniture, clothing, footwear, contributions towards For more information school trips, after-school activities, sporting equipment, Contact Alasdair Scott at: [email protected] educational aids and medical and special-needs equipment.

For more information or to download an application form, visit: www.borderschildrenscharity.org.uk

3 Developing our workforce The Assessor and Electoral Registration Service has seen significant and exciting changes to its workforce following the approval of its People Plan in 2016.

Electoral Registration Team The Registration Team has been bolstered with the recruitment of an Electoral Awareness Assistant brought about by the Electoral Commission’s Performance Standards which requires the Electoral Registration Officer to raise awareness of electoral registration. Clare Davis joined the team in November and has been actively engaging with care homes and our secondary schools to increase registration in the lead up to the Local Council Elections on 4 May.

A new Team Leader post has been created to reflect the increased managerial capacity required for Individual Electoral Registration. Christel Kerr recently moved into the post to work alongside Keith Hardie. Maddie Irvine joined the team as a Modern Apprentice. Maddie is currently undertaking an SVQ Staff from the Assessor and Electoral Registration Services in Business Administration with Borders College and is gaining practical experience in all aspects of Electoral Registration, are following a structured training path to become qualified Valuation Roll and Council Tax. Maddie is mentored by Caitlin Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Dunney, Registration and Rating Advisor, who joined the Team in 2015. The service has also recruited two Trainee Technicians, Jenna Reavely and Greg Bunyan. Jenna and Greg will soon be starting Valuation Team college with a view to completing an HNC in Built Environment The Service recognised that due to a shortage of suitably at West College. Jenna and Greg will be responsible experienced Chartered Surveyors within the expertise of non for surveying and banding new houses before they enter the domestic rating the most sustainable way forward was to grow Council Tax List. its own surveyors. Acting Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer Two Graduate Valuers, Shannon Strathdee and Linzi Davidson Brian Rout said: “Developing Our Workforce is a key driver to have recently joined the Valuation Team. Both Shannon and Linzi maintaining the sustainability of the service.” Adult Learners Award recipients congratulated

The annual Adult Learners Awards ceremony took place at • Accredited learning: Chris Forsyth Earlston High School on 23 March. • Learning through volunteering: Martin Green

Now in their 18th year, the awards are held to celebrate the Overall winner, Rachel Treeby, said: “I feel more confident achievements of adult learners across the region who, often contributing in class and in all discussions. I also feel my at times against considerable odds, take their future into their experiences have helped me to have an insight into the caring own hands and take advantage of the range of opportunities profession and helped me to empathise with others. I feel I available to them to enhance their knowledge, quality of life have goals that are now achievable and I hope to progress on to and job prospects. a nursing course after the summer. I have wanted to become a nurse for many years and I now feel that this is achievable.” The awards are also an opportunity to tell the stories of these learners so that others may be inspired to raise their aspirations The awards are organised by the Community Learning and and improve their life chances through learning. Development Service, Volunteer Centre Borders, Borders College, Scottish Borders Housing Association and Skills This year there were ten categories with the winners being: Development . • Young learner (16-25yrs): Scott Weir • Learner in the work place: Megan Bilsland For more information • Mature learner (50+ yrs): Jackie Gray Contact: Oonagh McGarry, • Learning in a group: Open Doors Community Learning & Development Team Leader • Learning in the community: Lynn Hardie (Adult Learning) at: [email protected] 4 Democratic Services is Team of the Year

Congratulations to the Democratic Services team for its success at the Society of Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR) Conference in March.

A ceremony took place in Aberdeen to recognise the talent and good practice in lawyers and administrators in local authorities across Scotland.

SBC won the inaugural Democratic Services Team of the Year Award against stiff competition from Dundee Legal Team and Aberdeenshire Governance Review Team.

In their submission, the team referred to their work supporting the now paperless committees, dealing with The team is pictured back at HQ with their award. over 200 meetings per year; providing support to all Councillors; providing constitutional and election advice to Tracey Logan, Chief Executive of SBC, said: “The Democratic 69 community councils; supporting the work of the three Services Team is such a cohesive unit, willing to provide help Lord-Lieutenants; processing street naming and number and carry out any duty which comes their way, and always with and property clearance requests; along with administering a smile on their faces. They are a credit to the Council and elections and referenda. thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Innovative youth work partnership wins national awardNeed

Pioneering work carried out by the Community Learning and Development Service (CLDS) in partnership with TD1 Youth Hub and Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) has been recognised at a national level when they were announced as winners of the 2017 Youth Work Partnership Award.

The project has delivered a range of innovative learning experiences for young people, including a highly successful programme involving local firefighters which also supported youngsters to gain their Youth Achievement Award. Firefighters have been helping local youngsters One young person who was encouraged to get involved in the project, Ciaran McLaren from , said: “I wasn’t too Norrie Tait, CLDS Team Leader, added: “These Awards sure but decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. It was celebrate the outstanding commitment, service and impact that the best thing I did last summer. We did some amazing things youth workers, managers and partners have had on the lives of and I learned so much about myself and working with others. the young people across Scotland. For our project with TD1 and I was going through a really difficult time but the staff and the Fire Service to have been chosen as a national winner is a firefighters really made me feel part of something – without tremendous achievement. It hasn’t happened without a great them I don’t know what would have happened as it was such deal of hard work so thanks must go to everyone involved as a tough time.” the results they are achieving for some quite vulnerable young people are significant.” As a result of his participation, Ciaran was given the opportunity to enter into a mentoring programme facilitated by the SFRS. He now attends Galashiels Fire Station on a Tuesday evening and is part of the retained duty system crew. It is hoped that this will eventually lead to employment with the service when he turns 18. 5 Quality shines through Services reach APSE for SBC planners award final

SBC won two awards at The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning at the tail end of last year.

Two members of staff in the Plans and Research team played key roles within their respective winning submissions.

Sharon Renwick’s submission entitled 'Identifying Potential Heat from Waste Water Projects' won an award in the Process category. The project identified where heat energy could be obtained from waste water pipes to heat council owned buildings through new, innovative technology. The purpose of the project was to look at updating ageing heating systems, reduce heating bills and to reduce the council’s carbon footprint. Using an interactive map, six potential sites were identified for a feasibility study. This work was carried out with assistance from Scottish Water Horizons.

Trish Connolly’s submission entitled 'Supplementary Guidance Glentress Masterplan' won an award in the Partnership category. The Masterplan guides the future Lynn Crothers from the Regulatory Services team, APSE sustainable development of the Glentress Forest visitor awards and BBC's The One Show presenter Lucy Siegle and attraction. The Masterplan was produced in partnership with Sarah Watters, Function Manager - Business Management Forest Enterprise Scotland and Barton Willmore. It presents (PLACE) at the APSE Awards ceremony the strategic context for the area, sets out the proposals for development to enhance the visitor attraction and includes Two services reached the final of the Association for Public indicative proposals for an enhanced recreation centre, Service Excellence (APSE) performance networks awards. a new site for cabins and parking. The Masterplan was developed in partnership with Forest Enterprise Scotland. Staff represented the Council as finalist in the Environmental Health best performer category, as well as in the Street Lighting most improved performer section in the ceremony before Christmas.

The APSE awards are designed to recognise councils that have taken part in sharing data through benchmarking groups, to ensure that they are delivering good local services using performance information on cost, quality and productivity.

The Environmental Health team was recognised as one of the best performers in this field compared to a range of other councils on categories such as cost, number of inspections carried out and response times, while they actively participate in benchmarking working groups.

The Street Lighting service performed well in terms of average times to restore faulty street lights, cost of maintenance and energy usage.

In addition, SBC’s energy efficient street lighting programme Sharon Renwick and Trish Connolly will help the Council to improve its performance further. 6

Full STEAM ahead for Borders Railway Tourism in the Borders has received a major boost since the introduction of the railway.

The Scottish Tourism Economic Assessment Monitor (STEAM) statistics show a significant improvement in key tourism performance figures in the first half of 2016, compared to the first half of 2015 when the railway was not yet open. It is also the first time in 10 years that every category measured has improved.

The company which produces STEAM data believes the most likely source for the rise in tourism activity in the Borders and is the railway.

Notably, the STEAM figures show:

Borders • The number of visitor days in hotels and bed and breakfasts has Left to right, Giles Ingram of Abbotsford House, Lindley Kirkpatrick of ScotRail, risen by 27 per cent Nicola Duffy of Born in the Borders, and Annika Meiklejohn of Tempest Brewery • A 20 per cent rise in visitor spend with the STEAM data on food and drink • Visitor spend on accommodation Working with partners in the Borders Meanwhile, the Blueprint group is up 17 per cent Railway Blueprint Group, the Council has been nominated for a Scottish • A 16 per cent rise in overall will continue to deliver a range of Transport Award in the Transport Team/ visitor spend economic benefits and encourage Partnership of the Year category. The • The number of days visitors stayed businesses to take advantage of the awards night takes place in June. in the Borders has increased by many development opportunities almost 11 per cent available in the region, which has been • Eight per cent increase in opened up to a greater audience by the employment related to tourism railway. Older People’s services inspection Community toilet network proposals The Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland The Council is preparing to speak to local people about the team has now completed the on-site phase of their inspection potential creation of a network of community toilet facilities as of the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership’s part of its public conveniences review. Joint Older People’s Services. The first phase of the review will see a charge of 30 pence Elaine Torrance, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Social introduced at 27 of the 41 public toilets in the Borders managed Care Integration, said: “The inspection has been a significant by the Council during early summer 2017. process which many people have contributed to by helping with the preparations and by meeting with or assisting inspectors. The second phase will see the Council engage with community We would like to thank everyone for the time and energy they councils, local groups, businesses and others in the community have committed to this.” who are interested in getting involved in either a comfort scheme or community partnership. The Partnership received informal feedback in March. They now have the opportunity to respond to this before the final report is A community partnership is where public toilets are transferred published in the summer. Staff events will be arranged to share to a community group for it to provide. A successful community feedback and begin to develop the improvement plan. scheme has operated in Coldingham for several years as well as in other Scottish local authority areas. For more information contact Susan Henderson at: [email protected] For more information and to get involved visit: www.scotborders.gov.uk/publictoilets 7 Business World – new system launches and more to come As Business World went live, it heralded the start of a new way of working for Scottish Borders Council. Business World – stats so far Our finance, procurement and HR systems had become outdated and not user-friendly. Business World will save time, provide accurate and up-to-date information and see a shift to ‘self-service’ style working.

However, it may be something that you have not heard a lot about if you fall into the following staff groups:

• Staff with only a Glow email address and access to Curricular Network PCs • Staff who are currently non-ICT users at work • Staff who use a partner device, for example NHS Borders

If this is you, Business World will be made available over the coming months. You will then be able to request leave We also have about 3,200 former staff who we pay a and training, submit your timesheets and expenses, view pension to so nearly 10,000 users were transferred your payslips and update your personal information held into Business World – the largest number of users by the Council, for yourself online – this is self-service. transferred in a single data migration.

There are around 2,400 employees who do not have Since 3 April: access to IT equipment which can access Business World. At this time SBC and CGI are exploring a number • There have been 28,000 total logins to of technical solutions to ensure that we have a range of options available to staff who do not have a fixed place of Business World work or access to SBC IT. This will be supported be the • 2,000 purchase orders have been raised appropriate training and go-live help for users. • 2,400 requisitions have been raised • 6,000 invoices have been processed Initially the project team was focussed on ensuring the system was robust and that we could pay our staff and • Three different payrolls have been processed suppliers and that goods and services could be ordered. successfully The coming months will focus on the roll out of self service to all of our employees and how we can continue to use Business World to improve our processes, making * data correct as of 28 April 2017 them simpler and more efficient.

Champions and helpline staff – A new way of working thank you Business World is changing the way staff carry out their daily business. We asked three SBC employees for their To help with the initial launch over 70 workplace views: Graham Jones, Safer Communities Manager: champions across the Council were selected to assist "Once we become used to Business World's functionality staff as they got used to Business World. A helpline, the merits of a single system to manage budget and other manned by Customer Services staff was also set-up to management tasks will become apparent in creating allow people to get in touch with any queries. Thanks to capacity and streamlining processes." everyone for their involvement. Derek Thomson, Neighbourhood Operation Foreperson: “We don’t use IT regularly so this is a big change. However I’m looking forward to being able to use Business World for the first time to assist me in my duties."

Michelle Povey, Production Manager at St Ronan's Primary School: “I can now order good directly through Business World. It’s a new way of doing things but it should make life easier through time.”

8 Schools round-up

Leader Valley School opens its doors to pupils and staff

The recently completed Leader Valley School in Earlston opened its doors on 16 February when staff and pupils enjoyed their first day in the new premises.

The formal opening took place on Friday 3 March when the Lord-Lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KBE unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The £1.7million school has been purpose built to provide specialist education for the primary aged children who previously attended the spectrum classes at Wilton (Hawick) and St Ronan’s (Innerleithen).

Leader Valley will provide an enhanced level of provision for children with the most profound and complex needs in the Scottish Borders with all the educational and wellbeing benefits that this will bring. Not only will the new The school was designed by the Council’s Architect’s environment support the learning and welfare of pupils, Section. Architectural Manager, Ray Cherry, said: there will be opportunities for the staff team to share “It has been a great privilege to lead the design team advice, guidance and professional learning opportunities responsible for creating and delivering this new building. with colleagues working elsewhere in the service, including This was a very challenging brief that required detailed locality enhanced support provisions, mainstream schools research and consultation, but it has all been worth it and in outreach specialist teams. to see the reaction of the pupils and staff when the keys There are also plans to create links with the nearby primary were handed over.” and secondary schools in Earlston. This will provide further life and learning skills for Leader Valley pupils and also For more information support integration into mainstream schooling and with contact: Sarah Fitch, Complex Needs Team Leader on: transition planning to adult services. [email protected]

World Book Day celebrated by New library space at Melrose Primary School pupils Borders schools Newcastleton Primary are 2017 Euroquiz champs Well done to pupils at Newcastleton Primary on raising the impressive amount of £994.55 by holding a whole school and nursery readathon on World Book Day. The money is being put towards books and furniture for a new library space.

Gold for Kelso High Author David Solomons with pupils from Ednam and Sprouston Kelso High has gained Gold status from sportscotland as part of their ongoing Over 640 local pupils celebrated World School Sport Awards programme. Book Day by welcoming children’s book Headteacher, Jill Lothian, said: “This Melrose Primary School pupils are authors Helen Peters, Lyn Gardner award helps us ensure that quality 2017 Euroquiz champs and David Solomons to their schools. physical education and sport is at St Ronan’s, Walkerburn, Kingsland, the heart of our school and its wider Melrose Primary took the top prize at Halyrude, Broomlands, Ednam, Edenside community. Through continued support this year’s Euroquiz, retaining the title and Sprouston primary schools along from our staff, coaches and parents we they have held for the previous two with Kelso High and Jedburgh Grammar are able to offer many opportunities for years. Fifteen schools took part, with were among those taking part on 2 our young people to engage, participate Coldingham making it through to face March. and reach their potential in this area.” Melrose in the final. 9 Schools round-up

Chirnside - wedding of the year 2017 Green Flag for Yarrow Selkirk pupils in France

Chirnside pupils 'get married' Yarrow Primary pupils Andy Brown and Joe Bell

P2 pupils at Chirnside took an unusual Yarrow Primary recently gained another Two pupils from Selkirk High School approach to their project on religious Green Flag Award, with children and recently visited France to observe celebrations by holding a ‘double staff working hard to focus on Learning the centenary of the Battle of Arras. wedding’ in the local Parish Church where for Sustainability and ensuring joined Organised by WW100 Scotland, they acted out a wedding ceremony. It up thinking, participative working and students Andy Brown and Joe Bell became a real family affair with parents reflective practice. They have focussed were among 72 pupils representing and grandparents helping pupils bring on their thinking skills, social justice each local authority in Scotland their learning alive and enjoying the and inclusion, sustainable development selected for the five-day trip. reception afterwards. Headteacher, education, engaging the learner in the Nick Trussler, said: “There wasn't a dry real world, global citizenship, community eye in the church as everyone became partnerships, outdoor learning and Priorsford are Sportshall very emotional. Thank you to everyone children's rights. A wall display has been Athletics champions who attended as well as Ms Johnson developed that evolves throughout the and Mrs Miller for helping the children in year and evidences the work being done. their learning and coordinating the day.” Principal Teacher, Michelle Hoppé said: “Visitors are welcome to see how learning for sustainability can be embedded in Jedburgh Grammar pupil, schools, no matter what size.” Lauren Cardwell is flying high Galashiels Academy partnerships Staff and pupils at Galashiels Academy have forged an innovative partnership with Martin Currie Investment Priorsford pupils celebrate Management in Edinburgh. Headteacher, Kevin Ryalls, said: “Both organisations are developing a growth mindset and Priorsford Primary has been crowned learning culture where effort is valued, East of Scotland Sportshall Athletics challenge is embraced and learning Champions for the second time after Jedburgh Grammar pupil, is driving improvements so there is beating off 10 other top teams at the Lauren Cardwell tremendous potential for sharing and finals. P6 and P7 from both Priorsford learning from each other.” The Academy and Kingsland schools travelled to Lauren Cardwell (S6, Jedburgh Grammar) is also involved in a four-year partnership Meadowbank Stadium to compete, is the winner of the Andrews Sash, with PAS, an educational charity that having gained the right to represent awarded to the top female cadet in encourages everyone to get involved the region by winning through at the Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lauren with their localities through the planning district championships and Borders- will take part in the national final later system. wide finals. Kingsland finishing a highly this year. She has also fought off fierce commendable fifth. competition to be selected as the only person from Scotland, and one of only two girls from the UK, to attend this year’s International Air Cadet Exchange in Hong Kong. In addition, she has been awarded a place on the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme. 10

Abbeys’ lights switched Walk It is dementia Small changes can make off for Earth Hour friendly a difference The Council showed its support for A number of walks delivered through action on climate change by taking part The Small Changes, Big Difference the Scottish Borders Walking for (SCBD) campaign launched in January in this year’s global WWF Earth Hour Health project, Walk It, have been event. with the aim of providing SBC (and SB officially accredited as dementia Cares) staff with information, guidance friendly. Street lighting staff switched off the and a range of incentives to help them get fitter and healthier. lights at three of the Borders abbeys’ Thirty walks in total are now in place – Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose – for across the region. an hour on 25 March to encourage Among the incentives on offer were a lifestyle challenge, cookery Borderers to join with them and millions Seven of those have been officially across the world. demonstrations, wellbeing drop-in accredited as dementia friendly clinics and the popular cycle to work following training for 17 Walk It walk scheme. A number of schools also took part, leaders. including Melrose Primary School who switched off their lights the day before. Taking up the lifestyle challenge For more information contact Thirteen members of staff chose to take Denise Carmichael: WWF say Earth Hour is our opportunity up the lifestyle challenge which has given denise.carmichael@scotborders. them free access to a lifestyle adviser, to show world leaders that action gov.uk to tackle climate change is urgently selected activities at LIVE Borders, a needed. pedometer and group support. Holocaust Memorial Day Louise Cox, the Council’s Environmental They have all committed to sharing Strategic Co-ordinator, said: “We were their journeys and stories on the SCBD Thanks to everyone to took the time website and social media channels. proud to support WWF’s Earth Hour once to visit the exhibition in Council again and to this year work alongside Visit: www.smallchangesbigdifference. HQ to commemorate Holocaust org to see how they are getting on. Historic Environment Scotland to switch Memorial Day on 27 January. As off the lights at three of the Border well as helping to raise awareness Abbeys. Could you contribute? of genocide and the acts of hate that The project is keen to hear from lead to it, staff pledges to ‘stand up to “Thanks are due to the Street Lighting any member of staff who offers an hate and fight discrimination’ inside opportunity or activity that colleagues team for their support, with the Council of work and out were also collected. responsible for the lighting at each might want to join in e.g. lunchtime Emily Elder from the Equality and walking group or after work exercise abbey.” Diversity team said: “We had a good class. Send in your details and they will support from SBC staff who visited be promoted on the SCBD website. If looking to take part next year, more our stand, which included a display information is available at of life stories and other resources, www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour Find out more and were very pleased that 82 staff For more information, visit: members in total proudly signed this www.smallchangesbigdifference.org pledge.” For more information about

Holocaust Memorial Day, visit: You can also contact Pippa Walls hmd.org.uk at NHS Borders who is co-ordinating the project: [email protected]

Roy the Panda visited Jedburgh Abbey to highlight WWF Earth Hour

Douglas Scott and Emily Elder

Lifestyle Challenge participants 11

Movers, Groovers and Celebrations

Congratulations Stacy Patterson social worker horseradish crumble with seasonal of the year finalist vegetables, followed by pineapple upside down cake and custard, as the Congratulations to Siobhan McGregor Congratulations to Stacy Patterson overall winner. She will now go on to the who has successfully completed her from the Social Work Reviewing Team ASSIST-FM national event in Kilmarnock SVQ2 in Business and Administration on being shortlisted for this year’s on 7 August 2017. in the People Department. This was Social Worker of the Year award. She achieved through the Council’s Modern was nominated for her ‘unflagging’ Apprenticeship Scheme while working commitment to promoting the rights Bake off gong for Sheila as a clerical assistant in the People of older people, especially those with Burnfoot Community School cook Sheila Information Management Team. dementia, both in practice and in Clyne triumphed in the Great Scottish Further congratulations to Siobhan training front line staff. While the top Bake Off competition at the end of last on her recent appointment in the new accolade went to someone else on the year which saw the best school bakers matching unit in Hawick. Siobhan has night, Stacy and colleagues from the from across Scotland battle it out for been a valued member of the team and team enjoyed the awards ceremony in the title. Her Autumn Fruit Muffins we are sad to see her go. Edinburgh on 21 March. impressed the judges at the final, held at City of College. Sheila also represented Scotland in the UK Big School Bake Off competition in Surrey. New starts Congratulations to Michael Murray who was permanently appointed as Print Centre Operations Support in the Communications and Marketing Siobhan is pictured with Newtown Primary Stacy and Fiona Lumb, Back: Margaret team at the tail end of last year. who won the art competition at this year’s Galbraith and Team Leader, Steve Almey Euroquiz, an event she has helped to Retirements and organise for the past few years moving on All the very best to Caroline Moscrop Congratulations to the first three Galashiels Academy school cook who left on 31 March to take up a Customer Service MAs - Kathryn of the year new position of PA to the Head of Wallace, Michael Scott and Rachel Soft Facilities at NHS Lothian in Graham – who have recently completed Edinburgh. She will be a big miss their Level 2 MAs. Both Michael to the People Department and the (from Earlston) and Kathryn (from PA Admin Team. Hawick) have are now employed as full-time Customer Service Advisors Goodbye and good luck to in Galashiels. Meanwhile, Rachel Carin Pettersson who has supported (also from Hawick) has just completed the Integration and Social Care her Modern Apprenticeship ahead of and Health project for the past 18 schedule and is still considering the months as their Communications options that may be available to her in Officer. She will be greatly missed the future. Tracey Biggs (second from left), with and goes with our best wishes for her fellow competitors her future. Congratulations to John Douglas and Lesley Marshall from the Estate Galashiels Academy is celebrating after Management Section for achieving their their school cook, Tracey Biggs was 25 years’ local authority service. John crowned School Cook of the Year for started in 1992 with Borders Regional 2017. She beat off stiff competition from Council and then SBC. Lesley started Anne-Marie Logan (peripatetic cook), in 1992 with District Council, Paul Hodson (Duns Primary) and Bev Council and Paterson (Chirnside Primary). finally SBC. A panel of five judges eventually chose Carin Pettersson Tracey’s meal of mince beef with a 12 Spring Sudoku Scottish Youth Parliament Test your mathematical and analytical skills and win a £10 election results announced voucher with the Spring Sudoku competition. Fill in the blank The declaration for the 2017-19 Scottish Youth Parliament squares. (SYP) elections took place on 17 March when the following candidates were successfully elected: • Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 to 9 in any order • Sanna Aziz (MSYP Midlothian South, & • Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 to 9 in Lauderdale; S5, Galashiels Academy) any order • Georgia Pritchard (MSYP Ettrick, Roxburgh & • Every 3 square by 3 square subsection of the puzzle must ; S3, Jedburgh Grammar) include all digits 1 to 9. • Tanya Thomson (MSYP Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire; S5, Hawick High) Donna Manson, Service Director Children and Young People said: “I have no doubt that our newly elected members are more than up for the challenge and wish them well as they take up their new roles.” For more information contact Ceri Hunter, Engagement & Participation Officer at [email protected] or visit: www.syp.org.uk

Send completed entries to: Mark Wilson, SBscene Editor, Council HQ by Wednesday 17 May 2017. Remember to include your name, job title, department and contact number. You can also email scanned entries to: [email protected] Contact the team &

Congratulations to Dorothy Whitehead in Property Services SBscene is written by employees for employees, so contact the Communications and Marketing team with who won the £10 voucher for the Winter 2016 Sudoku. articles, features, ideas and suggestions: The completed grid is below. • [email protected] • 01835 826632 The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday 17 May 2017. Articles longer than 250 words should be discussed with the team well in advance of the deadline date. Please note that the views expressed in this newsletter may not necessarily be the views of Scottish Borders Council. More information about working with the Communications and Marketing team can be found on the intranet in the Your Job > Communications, Marketing and Design section: http://intranet.scotborders.gov.uk/yourjob/Pages/ comms-marketing-and-design.aspx

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Designed and produced by Scottish Borders Council, Communications and Marketing. JRE/2017