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June 2010 Young Local Authority of the Year | Banff primary accreditation The magazine for Aberdeenshire Council employees A postcard from Aberdeenshire Employee Achievement Awards A visit from Sierre Leone Operation Zenith The community planning service

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June 2010 Young Local Authority of the Year | Banff primary accreditation

The magazine for Aberdeenshire Council employees

A postcard fromAberdeenshire

Employee AchievementAwards

A visit from Sierre Leone

OperationZenith

The community planning service

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SQ is now available electronically on Arcadia and Arcadia Lite. We’ve made it easier for you to read it on screen – you can use the menu to navigate between articles, search by keywords and zoom in and out. Paper copies will also be available to share in all council buildings.

As a result we have cut the number of copies we produce. This is a reduction of over 10,000 in the last two years. We hope you are happy to view a copy online, or to share a copy, but if you would like your own paper copy then please email [email protected]

Please don’t print a copy off in your own office as this will be much more expensive than the copies we produce.

In this issue of SQ you can learn more about the work of the Community Planning Team, the winners at the Employee Achievement Awards, Operation Zenith and much more…

If you have an idea you would like to submit for a future issue of SQ simply send a 50 word summary of your idea to your service representative (see below). They will then take the idea to the editorial panel who will decide if it should be included. Here’s the list of service representatives:

Chief Executive Alan Vogan 01224 664806

Education, Learning and Leisure Rachael Cowin 01224 664333

Housing and Social Work Fiona Westland 01569 767553

Corporate Services Morag Esson 01224 664358

Planning and Environmental Services Maureen Cooper 01467 628270

Transportation and Infrastructure Louise Mackie 01224 664574

SQ is printed on Revive recycled paper stock

Welcome to the June 2010 issue of SQ, the employee magazine for Aberdeenshire Council.

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3 A postcard from

Aberdeenshire

5 NEWS

7 Short Breaks Bureau, it’s a

bit like a travel agent

8 And the award goes to...

9 Community Planning Team

11 Insight into Steph Swales job

13 Operation Zenith

15 Co-ordinator quicksteps

to bronze

16 Legal eagles take up

Big 5 Challenge

17 ACHIEVEMENTS

Short Breaks Bireau

A postcard from Aberdeenshire

And the award goes to...

Community Planning Team

Operatition Zenith

Insight into Steph Swales job

Legal eagles take up Big 5 Challenge

8

9

7

11

13

Co-ordinator quicksteps to bronze

15

3

16

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With more people opting to stay at home during the summer months, here are just a few of the places in Aberdeenshire that might serve as an alternative to send a postcard from.

• The Archaeolink Prehistory Park in Oyne gives visitors of all ages the chance to travel through the ages, from Mesolithic times to the era of the Roman Empire. With exhibitions, both outdoor and indoor, workshops and guided tours every day, Archaeolink is good fun for all ages.

A postcard from Aberdeenshire

• At Macduff Marine Aquarium visitors come face-to-face with hundredsofnativefishandin-vertebrates normally only seen by scuba divers who brave the cold waters of the North Sea. Visit www.macduff-aquarium. org.uk

• Aberdeenshire has four fantastic country parks throughout the region. All have beautiful woodlands and wildlife surrounding picnic and play areas. With plenty of parking on site, its a wonderful way to spend a sunny summer’s day outside. There are county parks at Haughton, near Alford, Balmedie, Haddo House and Mintlaw.

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• There are 12 museums throughout Aberdeenshire, covering a wide range of historical topics – from farming to maritime, from local history and people to grand exhibitions, and from joiner’s workshops to meal mills. Whatever your interest, you areboundtofindsomethingyou’ll like.

• Throughout Aberdeenshire there are a number of swimming pools with a wide range of activities for people of all ages and abilities. Several of our facilities offer well-equippedfitnesssuites,saunas, squash courts and sports halls.

• Also throughout the summer months, the heated outdoor pool in Stonehaven is open for all those who want to spend the day lounging by the pool and catching a few rays.

• There are a number of stunning beaches stretching all along the Aberdeenshire coast. Whether in Kincardine and Mearns, Formartine, Buchan or Banff or Buchan, there is something for everyone.

For more information about any of these attractions and what else Aberdeenshire has to offer, visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/leisure

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NEWS

At the beginning of the spring term following long-standing links with the charity ‘Kids in Action’, pupils and staff at Mearns Academy were delighted to welcome three young visitors from Sierra Leone.

On an extremely cold and snowy morning at the end of January, Mohamed, Mariama and Sylvia arrived to meet with teachers and pupils from S1 – S6.

They toured the school, visited classrooms and exchanged views on life and education in their different cultures with teachers and pupils.

Mariama, who had visited Mearns Academy over four years ago, was delighted to be returning for a second visit.

Mearns Academy has been helping to support the running of the orphanage in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for over ten years, through a wide range of charity ventures that have raised thousands of pounds. The three visitors were former residents who are now working at the orphanage.

This visit proved to be a great learning experience for all involved and a success for both our visitors and pupils at Mearns. Pupils were abletolearnfirsthandhowtheirsupport has enhanced the lives of other people. Email addresses were exchanged before the girls sang a farewell song to the pupilswho had spent time with them.

The three visitors have been keeping in touch with their new friends at Mearns Academy since

returning home to Sierra Leone.

Visit to Mearns from Sierra Leone

In April 2010, Awards for All Scotland approved a funding bid of £9,782 to improve access to ICT to both pupils and community users of the Aboyne community library, a shared facility on the Aboyne Academy and Deeside Community Centre campus.

The ICT resources are not only for pupils to use, anyone who uses the library will be able to access the computers and internet for personal use, therefore increasing the amount of freely accessible ICT in the Aboyne and Upper Deeside community.

With the funding agreed, the next step will be to purchase the equipment and set up the facility so that it can start being used by both pupils and members of the wider community in the early summer.

Aboyne Academy and Community Library ICT Initiative

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A Portsoy woman has becomethefirstholderofa new annual Duff House ticket offering Aberdeenshire residents access to the venue at a discounted rate.

Jan Maddock has been presented withthefirstannualpassaspartof a prize package she won after taking part in a recent survey about the venue.

This new initiative is part of a series of changes being undertaken at Duff House throughout the year in response to the recent survey of local residents.

Over 200 local residents fed back their comments to Aberdeenshire Council about the 5-star visitor attraction, and one of the key actions was the introduction of a ticket aimed at local residents.

The ticket is exclusively available to anyone living in Aberdeenshire and provides unlimited entry for a year at a discounted price. The price for the new annual ticket is:

• Adult - £12• Concession - £10• Family - £20

Usual ticket prices for Duff House are £6.55 for an adult, £5.45 for a concession and £16.70 for a family ticket.

One of the aims of the resident’s surveywastofindoutwhatlocalswanted from Duff House. The new ticket has been introduced in direct response to feedback from locals who would like to visit Duff House regularly but were concerned about the price.

All tickets are available from the Duff House shop; just bring proof of your postcode and a recent passport picture to be used on your ticket.

Duff House annual pass is just the ticket

Ardallie School Green Butterfly awardArdallie School has been awarded the Aberdeenshire Environmental ForumGreenButterflyAwardinrespect of excellence in Eco School activities. As a whole school, they have worked with four environmental themes: wildlife conservation, environmental care, business enterprise and environmental awareness.

Green Flag Awarded to Mearns AcademyMembers of the Mearns Academy ECO Club have worked very hard overthelastfewmonthstofulfiltherequirementstoachievethefirstGreen Flag for the school. Pupils and staff have focussed on and implemented new ideas for recycling waste.

Macduff School earn third Green FlagSince 2005 Macduff School and community have been working through the eco school programme, implementing initiatives and immersing the Eco Schools ethos into the curriculum. In January 2010 they were successful in gaining their third Green Flag.

New wildlife area at MonquhitterPrimary 5 and 6 children have designed and planted a new wildlife area in the school grounds. To improve the environment for wildlife and increase the choice of habitats, they researched, planned and designed the new area. The children have planted a host of native trees, plantsandwildflowersthatbearfruit and berries to encourage the birds to make this their habitat.

Aberdeenshire school’s are eco-friendly

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Shared Lives: opening your door to support others

A service which provides support to adults with disabilities in a home setting is seeking new carers.

Shared Lives is a tailor-made service which helps adults in Aberdeenshire live indepen-dently in a safe, supportive environment.

Theflexibilityoftheservicemeans that support can range from day care or short breaks in the carer’s home to long-term accommodation and support.

Team Manager for the Aberdeenshire Shared Lives scheme Sue Mahoney says the scheme already attracts carers from a wide range of backgrounds.

“This is a rewarding job that you can do from home and you can make a real difference to people›s lives,” she said.

“We welcome carers from differing cultural and ethnic backgrounds, with varied skills and experiences.”

Carers offer practical and emotional support for up to two people at any one time, tailored to the needs of the individual, and are assessed under the National Association of Adult Placement Services framework.

The Shared Lives team can contacted on 01569 768418.

Lorraine Dobson takes up the helm as coordinator of the council’s new Short Breaks Bureau which organises short stays away from home where people can enjoy a break from their normal routines.

The bureau is set up to make it easier and quicker for service users to access the respite they need.

Carers and service users who have had an assessment of their needs can contact the bureau directly to discuss their preferred dates locations and available vacancies in a number of respite services.

Lorraine said: “The Short Breaks Bureau is a new service and will

offer older people and eventually as the service develops, people with disabilities and their carers, the opportunity to have a more personalised service. They will also have access to a wider range of short break and respite opportunities.

“Aberdeenshire Council has intro-duced this new service to continue our commitment to offer easier access and a better range of experiences for people who need this service and their carers.”

The new service has been described as being similar to a travel agent as it will allow people who care, or those being cared for, to be able to book alternative care arrangements at short notice or plan ahead.

Further information is available at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/care

Short Breaks Bureau, it’s a bit like a travel agent

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The first ever Aberdeenshire Council Employee Achievement Awards have taken place at Woodhill House.Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson, Council Leader Anne Robertson and Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie were all on hand to present the awards and thank staff for all their hard work.

Efficiency and Innovation Award:

• First place – Bruce Mann, Archaeologist in Planning and Environmental Services

• Second place – Jill Sowden, CommunityPlanningOfficerinthe Chief Executive Service

• Third place – Fiona Smith, Administrative Team for Transport and Infrastructure

And the award goes to…Going Green Award:

• First place – Shirley Bruce, LandscapeServicesOfficerinTransport and Infrastructure

• Joint second place – Lynne Stewart the Head Teacher relief and Nina Travis a Classroom Assistant/SLF Auxiliary both at Ardallie School

Customer First Award:

• First place – Neil Mackie, Area WasteOfficerinPlanningandEnvironmental Services

• Joint second place – Alex Anderson the Principal Teacher of History at Inverurie Academy and Henry Trotter, the Leisurelend and Events Co-ordinator

Top Team Award:

• First place – Criminal Justice Community Service Team

• Second place – Graphic Design and Photography Team

• Third place – Mrs Sandra Gray and Mrs Helen Mitchell both from Markethill School in Turriff

Unsung Hero Award:

• First place – Moira Duncan, keyholder cleaner at Ardallie School

• Second place – Kate Erridge a nursery nurse at Ellon School

• Third place – Eric Oleksiak, facilities technician at Woodhill House

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In each issue of SQ we offer an insight into the work of a team within the council. In this issue we’ll look at the Community Planning team. If you would like your team featured then simply contact your service representative – their details can be found on the inside cover.

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The role of the Community Planning team is to support and develop the work of the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership. Locally this means supporting the six local community planning groups and driving forward the local community plans. Centrally, they focus on the Community Plan and Single Outcome Agreement, while supporting the community planning board, executive and other partnership groups.

In each of the six areas there is acommunityplanningofficer.There is a central team of four – corporatepolicyofficer,communityplanningsupportofficer,clericalassistant and a part-time communicationsofficer. A coordinator for tackling poverty and inequalities sits within the community planning team. The team also works closely with our colleagues in community safety and health improvement.

As well as the council, there are a number of public sector partners such as Grampian Police, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Grampian, Nestrans, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.

They are joined by the Councils for Voluntary Service, local rural partnerships and community councils who represent the third sector and the communities of Aberdeenshire. Last year, Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future and the Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership joined the partnership.

The team hopes to achieve the best quality of life for everyone in Aberdeenshire, and work towards agreed local outcomes that the Community Planning Partnership will deliver. These outcomes are shared, measurable and are delivered in partnership across Aberdeenshire.

It is an exciting time for community planning as the team hope to launch their six local community plans and the Aberdeenshire plan later in the

summer. These are the result of significantengagementwith communities and local partners working together.

Through the Fairer Scotland Fund, the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership has been allocated just over £1.2million in 2010/11 to help tackle poverty and inequalities.

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Insight into StephSwales job

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The council’s Community Planning team works throughout Aberdeenshire is to support and develop the work of the Community Planning Partnership. Steph Swales is a community planningofficerfortheBuchanarea.

WecaughtupwithStephtofindoutmore about her role.

How long have you worked for the council?IcameintopostinApril2006.MyfirstdaywasalsothefirsttimethattheBuchan Local Community Planning Group met.

What is your role within community planning?The purpose of my role as a communityplanningofficeristosupport the local community planning partners to take forward community planning in Buchan by:

• Supporting partners on the Buchan Community Planning Group to develop their partnership roles and level of participation within community planning.

• helping to co-ordinate community planning action in Buchan

• by providing a link between community planning partners, other services and organisations and the community

• Ensuring that actions from local community planning partners, services and organisations and the local community are included within the Buchan Community Plan

What is an average working day for you?There never seems to be two days the same; I could be supporting community planning partners on a particular issue, visiting a community group, involved in community consultation or providing information on behalf of community planning partners.

What is the most interesting thing about your job? There are many aspects of my job thatIfindinteresting,sothisistough!At the moment I’m enjoying the opportunity to work more extensively with local community groups, from following up on community action plans to working more closely with community councils.

My interest within this work is the opportunitiestoraisetheprofilesof local partners and community planning, the chance to promote its relevance to the communities of Buchan and the ability to develop partnership working.

Are there any perks to your job?I think the perks to my job is that it is nota9-5deskjob.Thisentailsflexibleworking hours, the opportunity to be mobile and work throughout Buchan and Aberdeenshire, the chance to work with lots of different people from various backgrounds and to participate in a wide range of opportunities and challenges.

Is there anything that you are not so keen on?The addition of planning to our name has proved to be a problem in the past, in that it has been responsible for forming preconceived ideas about what community planning is all about, especially with the public.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?I think the most satisfying part of the job has to be that I feel I am contributing within a team that is focused on ‘making a difference’ to the communities of Buchan.

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Steph SwalesCommunity Planning OfficerinPeterhead

If you would like your, or one of your colleague’s, job featured in a future issue of SQ then please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Q+A

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A major drive to cut motorcycle deaths and injuries is being co-ordinated by Grampian Police, Grampian Fire and Rescue with support from Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray councils.

Operation Zenith aims to improve riding standards by targeting rider behaviour and related offences linked toroadtrafficcasualtiesthroughcourses, radio adverts, motorbike specificroadsignsandmuchmore.

Alan Vogan gives us an insight into what it is like being an Aberdeenshire biker.

“Summer is coming and the number of bikes on the road will increase. Often on a Friday, I travel from my home in Angus to Woodhill House so I can enjoy a cracking return journey throughScotland’sfinestscenery.

Blessed with this scenery, challenging but rewarding roads and lowtrafficdensitycreatesahavenforthe motorcyclist. However, it can lull you into a false sense of security.

As a motorcyclist I am far more aware on the road than when driving my car.

When on the bike I plan ahead. I’m more aware of hazards and assessing the risks. Car drivers don’t see me, not purposely ignoring me, but they are looking for other cars, not bikes. Therefore, as a car driver I

am probably far more aware of bikes being on the road than non-bikers, but can still be surprised by a bike appearing from nowhere.

The majority of drivers are courteous to bikes; but there are always exceptions. There is nothing more intimidating than a car tailgating you at 70mph. Drivers feel that motorcyclists should ride near the left hand side of the road allowing them to pass.

Car drivers, however, aren’t always the problem; some of the riding behaviour I have seen from fellow motorcyclists has at times left me breathless or in shock. I’ve been overtaken on blind crests by bikers with no regard for their safety or that of others. Speed limits are regularly breached in favour of a ‘quick blast’ causing alarm to drivers and affecting their concentration.

Don’t get me wrong, I subscribe very much to the motorcyclists mantra of ‘we promise to stop dying if you stop hitting us with your cars’, but, as motorcyclists we have control of the bike, we decide how much to open the throttle and how our riding style and behaviour affects others.

I hope to continue to enjoy my rides out in Aberdeenshire and look forward to stops with other bikers. I just hope that by moderating our riding styles and behaviours we can all be there when next we meet.”

More information about Operation Zenith can be found at www.grampian.police.uk/advice.aspx

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OPERATION ZENITH

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During his 19 years of Council service, Ken Horberry is used to taking steps to remedy situations, and recently he has been stepping out on thedancefloorwithhis wife.

Along with six other students from the Improvers’ class in Ballroom and Latin American dancing, held in Cullen, they were awarded a bronze medals after success-fully tackling tests in Lossiemouth recently.

Two examiners from the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dance came up from the organisation’s Blackpool headquarters to conduct the tests, which saw a total of 23 adults pass the Ballroom Bronze medal and 20 their Latin American Bronze.

Ken and Rachael danced a modern waltz, a quickstep, a cha cha cha and the jive.

Ken and Rachael share the views of their excellent teacher, Caroline Coomber, that dancing is a great way of exercising and of toning up. It is also good for socialising and meeting new friends of all ages.

Co-ordinator quicksteps to bronze

It’s showtime!

Rebecca Gordon joined Aberdeenshire Council in February as a records assistant for Education, Learning and Leisure and so far it has been a very busy year for her.

InthefirstweekinMarch,shewas a featured character in Phoenix Theatre’s production of ‘Sweeney Todd’, the dark musical by Stephen Sondheim that narrates the story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

In complete contrast, she was then involved as director of the annual Student Charities Campaign show ‘Back to the Teuchter’, a Doric comedy that reworked the story of the 1980s film‘BacktotheFuture’.

Rebecca has directed the last two Student Shows which each raised in the region of £40,000 for local charities.

However the phrase ‘no rest for the wicked’ springs to mind as Rebecca prepares to choreo-graph Phoenix Youth’s produc-tion of ‘Annie’ which will be playing in Aberdeen Arts Centre in June, maybe after that she will take a break, but it seems a littledoubtful!

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Aberdeenshire Council employee Bob Chalmers of Ballater is organising a golf competition being held on Friday, September 17, at the Ballater Golf club.

In 2009 Bob entered a team in the First ARCHIE Cup competition. Even though his team didn’t take home the cup, he volunteered along with some friends to take over the organisation on the event in 2010 on behalf of ARCHIE.

The ARCHIE foundation is the charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Community Child Health.

Teams of four are invited to take up the challenge in 2010, the cost per team is £180.

To enter, email [email protected] or call Bob after 5pm on 013397 5607.

Golf competition in aid of Archie

Fiona McCallum, Angela Robertson and Laura Bremner from Legal and Governance form part of the “Pink Ladeez” team who have been raising money for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity.

The Ladeez signed up to “The Big 5 Challenge” which involves all members of the team running five10kmracesinNorthEastScotland between March and

July 2010 to raise money for Breakthrough’s vital research, campaigning and education in Scotland.

The Ladeez completed the Garioch Run on March 21, the Glenlivet 10km on April 11, Run Balmoral on April 24, Baker Hughes 10km on Sunday, May 23 andthefinalraceisthePortsoy10km on Sunday, June 27.

The Ladeez also raised over £300 at a Bake Sale at Woodhill House and would like to thank all those who donated.

Legal eagles take up Big 5 Challenge

The Wacky Racers and Huntly’s Relay For Life

A team of homecarers in Huntly are taking part in The Relay for Life event organised by Cancer Research UK that takes place in Huntly on July 3-4 with the name ‘wacky racers’ an anagram of carers.

Bobby McTavish, formerly a homecare supervisor for central Aberdeenshire and now retired, was asked to get a team together by homecare staff in Huntly and agreed to help out.

He said: “These homecarers form a caring dedicated team working within the community of Huntly, doing a sterling job, and are giving their time to take part in the 24hour relay as well as fundraising.

“The fact that the girls are taking part in the relay represents the quality of commitment and dedication of all homecarers and the council should be proud of them.”

The Wacky Racers have held fund raising evenings and are determined to raise as much as possible for Cancer Research UK.

www.donatetomyrelay.org/bobbymctavish

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ACHIEVEMENTS

Accreditation by the National Autistic Society at Banff Primary School

Banff Primary has gained Accreditation by the National Autistic Society. The mission of the Autism Accreditation programme is to improve the quality of provision for people with on the autistic spectrum. BanffPrimaryisthefirstmainstream school in Scotland to achieve this.

In order to achieve accreditation against the Autism Accreditation core and specialist standards, the school had to provide evidence that:

• It had a specialised knowledge and understanding of autism

• The knowledge and under-standing of autism consis-tently informed the school, the resources and management of the school

• The knowledge and under-standing of autism consistently informed the individual assess-ment and support plan for all pupils/service users

• The knowledge and under-standing of autism consistently informed all aspects of practice.

The process involved a week-long visit by the review team and this went before the accreditation panel in January. To retain this status the school must undergo further reviews every three years in order to demonstrate that accreditation standards are met.

The Portlethen Action Team has received a national BT Seen and Heard award, rewarding the achievements of young people who have made a real difference to their own lives and that of others. The group of 12 young people worked with Community Learning and Development employees to open the ‘Porty Cabin’ youth centre in the town. Funding from the Scottish Executive supported the renovation of an old community library into a multi-purpose youth centre.

The Portlethen Action Team were acknowledged for their efforts in the project at a ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, on March 29. The group were the winners of the Scottish award.

Portlethen Action Team - BT Seen and Heard Winners

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SDPA commended for work on Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan

Two Aberdeenshire Council employees took the top Scottish honours in the Young Local Authority of the Year 2010 competition.

E-Communications Assistant Ross Anderson and Human Resources OfficerFionaBeattieclaimedfirstplace in the Scottish Councils category of the competition after competing in a demanding two-day event in Lancaster.

The annual competition, which isinitsfifthyear,isopentolocalauthorities throughout the UK and aims to enhance the written, verbal and communications skills of the participants, contributing to their professional development.

A total of 39 teams took part this year’s event which was held in March.Thefieldwassplitupintofiveregionalcategories,witheachteam consisting of two members of staff in the early stages of their careers.

The Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) received a prestigious national commendation for its work on the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan at the 2009 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning ceremony in Edinburgh held in March.

The Aberdeen City and Shire SDPA’s submission focused on two main themes – the way in which Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils embraced the planning reform agenda and the way the desire for a more accessible document led to innovations by the SDPA.

The judges were impressed with the document being clear, concise, focused on priorities and prepared through partnership working. The structure plan is the firstintheUKtoreceiveaPlainEnglish Campaign Crystal Mark.

Aberdeenshire success at Young Local Authority of the Year 2010

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What do you think Provost Bill Howatson is up to in this picture?

If you’re feeling creative send us your caption for a chance to win a £50 voucher for the high street shop of your choice.

Simply email your entry to [email protected]

Alternatively, you can send your name, address and a contact phone number to:

Let us know what you think of SQWe’re always keen to hear what you think of SQ so we can continue making improvements in the future. Simply email us at [email protected] to let us know what you think.

Serving Aberdeenshire from mountain to sea _ the very best of ScotlandSQ | 19

SQ CompetitionAberdeenshire CouncilCorporate Communications UnitWoodhill HouseWestburn RoadAberdeenshire CouncilAB16 5GB

The deadline for entries is 10am on Friday, July 16, 2010 and the winner will be published in the next issue of SQ.

Please note that the competition is not open to employees from the Corporate Communications Unit or from the SQ Editorial Panel.

Caption Competition - win £50

Competition winner from March 2010 SQ Issue

Congratulations to Kevin Buchan, Technical Assistant in Consumer Protection who won the caption competition in the last issue of SQ.

Kevin’scaption“KeepganMin!Ye’venearlybiledthekettle!”waschosenbyColin MacKenzie as the best from the dozens of entries that were received.

Kevin picks up a £50 voucher for the high street shop of his choice.