Green Corner
STAR Awards winners
The East Lothian Council STAR Awards 2017 ceremony was held at the Brunton on Thursday 7 December. More than 190 people attended the event which recognises the achievements of council teams and individuals.
Congratulations to ...
Council worker of the year - Margo Cunningham 
Described as ‘carrying out her role in a very understated manner’ and considered to be an excellent ambassador not only for her department but for the council as a whole, she has made her mark with a range of national professional organisations and is well respected by them all for her engagement, commitment and promotion of training and professional development. Recently recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland when she was presented with their Professional Recognition Award for the Accredited Coaching Diploma programme that she has developed and jointly delivers.
Team of the year - Environmental Health Service 
The Environmental Health Service has recently undergone structural and cultural change amalgamating the Food and Safety and Environmental Protection teams. Performance Indicators were revised and these have now become a useful validation tool for service delivery standards published in a Service Charter.
Details and photos of other award winners to follow in Inform
STAR Awards winners (2)
Congratulations to ...
Customer Excellence – Individual 
Sandra Thomson, Housing Officer (On left presented with her trophy by Lyn Holmes of Canon UK)
Over the past year Sandra has made an outstanding contribution to assisting vulnerable clients as they adjust to the new Universal Credit benefit system. In addition Sandra is always on the look out for good quality household items for her clients who are struggling to furnish their home.
Customer Excellence – Team 
Assessment and Review Team for Care Homes
This team is responsible for ensuring more than 500 clients, who can no longer live in their own homes, are receiving quality care in a homely environment. They support families with the difficult and life changing decisions when considering a care home and provide advice and emotional support.
STAR Awards winners (3)
Many congratulations to ...
Unsung Heroes 
John Christie, Amenity Services (John on left presented with his trophy by Cllr Norman Hampshire)
John is a tractor driver within Amenity Services and is involved in training other staff members, He has built up an invaluable amount of knowledge and skills which is both highly rated and appreciated.
Service to Communities – Individual 
Fiona Melville, Computer Buddy Scheme (Fiona was presented with her trophy by Ross Prentice)
Fiona is based at Longniddry Library and co-ordinates the Computer Buddy Scheme which provides help and support to people within the local community with little or no knowledge of IT.
Service to Communities - Team 
Inveresk cemetery workers
The team have been recognised as providing a very high standard of service maintaining the cemetery and also being very caring and understanding in dealing with bereaved families.
STAR Awards winners (4)
Many congratulations to ....
Services to our People 
Share the Care Team
Share the Care is the council’s short breaks service for families of children with disabilities. They are responsible for recruiting, training, supporting and matching carers with children and in recent months have embarked on a major information campaign which has resulted in new carers being recruited.
One Council Award 
Red School Project
Colleagues of Early Years Team, Interior Design, Architecture/Development and school Headteacher have combined to successfully manage the redevelopment of the former Red School in Prestonpans to the new Early Learning and Childcare Centre.
Community Partner 
Colin and Louise McFarlane, Foster Carers
Colin and Louise first became foster carers more than 30 years ago and over that timescale they have welcomed and supported a number of children into their lives alongside their own growing family. Being a foster care requires patience, love and support which Colin and Louise have demonstrated in abundance.
STAR Awards winners (5)
Congratulations to the following winners ....
Provost’s Award 
Vicky Forbes, Revenues
Nominated by colleagues in recognition of the amazing charity fund raising events she has organised and even undertaken whilst battling her own serious health problems. She is described as a much valued member of the Revenues Benefits team.
Young Council Worker of the Year 
Jordan Reid, Safer Communities (Jordan was presented with his trophy by Depute Provost, Andy Forrest)
Jordan has listened and acted upon a number of antisocial behaviour complaints which has greatly improved the lives of residents within his area. Local residents describe Jordan as ‘very approachable and great at communicating updates which have made a massive difference to my family’s lives.’
East Lothian Courier Award 
Helen Kelly, Welfare Rights Officer (Helen on left presented with her trophy by Cllr Fiona O'Donnell)
Helen is considered to be a caring member of staff who helps and supports customers who have concerns about Welfare Rights. She deals with a wide variety of queries and has a wide knowledge of the subject which she uses to support and advise local residents effectively and compassionately.
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Do you have a challenge in delivering your service that you can’t find a solution for?
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An innovation challenge is a problem where there is no clear fix or current market solution available.
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The deadline for submissions is Friday 19th January at 5pm. You will need to submit a short expression of interest form which contains 10 questions about the challenge.
For more information:
FREE Weekend Activities with East Lothian Council museums
All our museums have FREE ADMISSION and lots of drop-in crafts and activities that are perfect for a last-minute day trip. See www.eastlothian.gov.uk/museums for details.
EVENTS:
Family Festive Fun Day
Friday 15th December 1-4pm, John Gray Centre, Haddington.
FREE Entry: £1 for Craft Activities: meet Santa Claus, make Christmas crafts, Christmas carols, storytelling in Library 3pm, Twelve Days of Christmas hunt, design a Christmas
Fun & Crafty Weekend Drop-in Activities
Join us for fun drop-in crafts and activities! Suggested donation £1
John Muir Birthplace & John Gray Centre
Friday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon, 1pm-4pm
EXHIBITIONS:
East Lothian – Birthplace of Scotland’s Flag: The Story of St Andrew and the Saltire. Admire rare objects including a coin of Constantine and a replica Pictish stone on loan courtesy of National Museums Scotland. Includes plenty of hands on activities for families.
Sat 28th Oct to Tue 30th Jan (closed Wed and Thur), John Gray Centre, Haddington.
Scottish Landscape Photography
Showcasing the talents of the many great photographers who practice photography in Scotland; see the beauty and diversity of the Scottish landscape, its coasts, islands and towns & cities in a collection of beautiful images. Dec (closed Mon & Tue), John Muir’s Birthplace
Digging Up Dunbar. Over ten thousand years of history in this exhibition of archaeological discovery. Sat and Sun 2pm - 4pm courtesy of Dunbar & District History Society
Oct to Mar. Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery
Master Plan for Prestongrange
Earlier this year East Lothian Council commissioned Simpson and Brown Architects as the lead consultant to deliver a master plan for the future of Prestongrange Museum. If you are a regular visitor to Prestongrange Museum you may have noticed lots of people on the site in hard hats and high vis jackets recently. These people are the architects, surveyors and engineers who are working on the conservation and development plans for the site which will be brought together early next year to form the master plan.
An essential part of this work is to find out what our visitors, our communities and stakeholders think and to make sure those voices and views are reflected in the final plan. There will be various different ways to get involved in this consultation over the coming months. To help with this consultation and engagement aspect of the project we are working with Ergadia Museums and Heritage who are conducting a survey in order to capture the voices and perspectives of people from local communities. Participation in this survey will be crucial to the Masterplan's success. The survey is anonymous and should not take more than 15 mins to complete. You can complete it here:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PGMasterPlan
Over the next few months we will also be delivering a vibrant programme of community engagement events and activities. Learn about our forthcoming programme by liking our Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/Prestongrange-Perspectives-872559646259120/
We are looking forward to hearing your views!
WINTER OPENING HOURS FROM SUNDAY 1ST OCTOBER:
Coastal Communities Museum
Closed until Spring.
Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery
Sat and Sun 2pm - 4pm courtesy of Dunbar & District History Society. Open at weekends during festive period.
John Gray Centre
Mon, Tue, Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 4pm and Sun 1pm - 5pm (closed Wed and Thur). Closed Sun 24th Dec to Thurs 4th Jan inclusive
John Muir’s Birthplace
Wed to Sat 10am - 5pm and Sun 1pm - 5pm (closed Mon and Tue)
Closed Mon 25th Dec to Tue 2nd Jan inclusive.
Musselburgh Museum
Now closed for winter.
Prestongrange
Open for specific events until end Mar.
Jingle bags thank you
A great big thank you to all who helped organise and who
donated to ELC’s contribution to the Foodbank Jingle Bags Appeal. The amount donated this year was so much that it nearly filled a room and had to be collected in 2 lots by the Foodbank Team.
A lovely idea we heard of was that some even arranged to forego Secret Santa this year and donate instead.
Many, many families in East Lothian will benefit this Christmas from the generosity of ELC staff.
Massage appointments
Susan Green has massage sessions available on the 22 December 
in the Occupational Health Suite in Haddington.
Appointments can be made by emailing HWL@eastlothian.gov.uk and will be given on first come/first serve basis. Sessions last approx 1 hour and cost £25
Appointment times are 9am, 10am and 4pm.