HIGHLAND COUNCIL QUALITY AWARDS
25 SEPTEMBER 2002
SOURCES:: http://itc.napier.ac.uk/ITC/NewsItem.asp?ID=11 http://www.highland.gov.uk/cx/pressreleases/2002/sep2002/qawinners02.htm
YOUTH VOICE WEBSITE WINS HIGHLAND COUNCIL QUALITY AWARD
The presentation team consisted of 2 Youth Voice representatives
(Calum Duncan and Amy Johnson) Veronica McKay from Highland Council
and Ella Smith from ITC. They emphasised the way that the website
improved communication within the organisation and helped further
Youth Voice’s role in giving young people in Highland region an
early and positive experience of democracy, using a medium which
especially appeals to them. The key to the success of the website
has been the involvement of young people throughout the development
process: choosing and refining the look and feel, adding the content
and suggesting useful additions, such as a guest book and the
facility for members to volunteer for upcoming activities online.
Judging took place in Inverness and the results were announced at
a ceremony in Scotland’s highest restaurant, the Ptarmigan, at the
top of the new CairnGorm Mountain Railway, near Aviemore. The team
were delighted to receive the Chairman’s Award. This is a cross
category award, given by the chairman of the judges’ to his
favourite project.
The awards were presented by Hamish Clark, known for his
portrayal of Duncan in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen.
INVERNESS JANITOR WINS TOP PRIZE AT QUALITY AWARDS
Ian Mackenzie, the janitor whose prompt action prevented Raigmore
Primary School, Inverness, from being destroyed by fire, has been
chosen as The Highland Council’s Employee of the Year.
Ian was presented with his prize at the Council’s annual Quality
Awards ceremony held at the Ptarmigan Restaurant, CairnGorm, on
Tuesday night.
Ian was nominated by his head teacher Moira Leslie, Head Teacher,
who spoke highly of his actions on the morning of the fire.
On Sunday 13 January this year, Ian discovered a fire at 7.45
a.m. when he entered the school early to prepare for a 9 am hire of
the games hall for a community church group.
Ian, who has been at the school for 11 years, detected smoke when
he entered the outer door and was unable to get beyond an inner door
because of dense smoke. He returned to his home in the school
grounds to raise the alarm with the fire brigade, who promptly
attended.
Ian opened up the school at least an hour earlier than normal,
due to his wife, Johan, leaving home for work early and it being a
fine morning. He said he wanted to double check the heating system
to make sure it had come on in time for the church group arriving.
Ian detected the fire in the games hall and immediately called the
fire brigade.
Head Teacher Moira Leslie said: “Another hour and the fire could
have spread to the rest of the building and the school could have
been lost. It was very fortuitous that Mr Mackenzie was on the go
early on Sunday to raise the alarm. He deserves great credit for his
actions.”
Mrs Leslie was also a winner at the awards. She was a member of
the Promoting a Smart Lifestyle in Schools Team, who won the
category entitled “Delivering Service Improvements”. The project
aims to influence children and families in their eating habits and
their sporting and culture interests in a fun and appealing way.
The award for the employee nominated by a Community Council for
special commendation went to Freida Mackenzie, Quality Service and
Performance Officer, with TEC Services, Dingwall.
Freida was commended by Cromarty and District Community Council
for her extremely helpful and courteous manner at all times in
dealing with issues of concern highlighted by the community council.
The awards were sponsored by CairnGorm Mountain Ltd; Morrison
Construction Ltd; Zurich Municipal; Fujitsu and the Coylumbridge
Hilton Hotel.
Compare was Hamish Clark, “Duncan” the star of Monarch of the
Glen.
Other category winners were: -
Working with Communities and Customers:
Lochaber Childcare Partnership.
Innovation Using ICT:
The High Life Leisure Card
Managing Change:
Effective Health and Safety Management
Chairman’s Award:
Highland Youth Voice Website
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