Harrogate International Centre

This is the third year running that Harrogate Borough Council has held its Employee of Achievement Awards.
 
The Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Councillor John Fox, handed out the awards at a ceremony last week and spoke in praise of all staff.  "These awards allow us the chance to formally recognize a very committed and dedicated workforce.  As the nominations come from colleagues and councillors, those nominated know that they are held in very high regard within the council."
 
All winners will be put through to the 2009 National Council Worker of the Year awards. Harrogate has only entered the national awards twice, and both times staff have been short-listed.

 

The nominations for the Care and Commitment category were so high that the judges decided to award two winners.

 

Barbara Gowton, Harrogate International Centre has been honoured for the warmth of welcome she shows to the town's hundreds and thousands of conference and exhibition visitors. Barbara is well known in the industry having worked for the catering team since the Conference Centre opened in the 80s. Delegates know that nothing is too much trouble for Barbara.
 
Next came Keith Scott, Street Cleansing Operative.  Loyalty in any job is to be applauded but working day and night for more than 20 years, in all weather to keep our streets clean is a commitment that is to be congratulated. 

 

Team of the Year went to the Transport Workshops who have adapted their skills to maintain a wider range of vehicles including the new recycling fleet.  

 

The Innovation Award went to Jan Davidson, Transport Concessions Manager.  Jan was responsible for introducing the new concessionary fares scheme for all councils in North Yorkshire achieving the country's leading performance issuing 98 per cent of passes by 1 April deadline.
 
The final award for Leadership and Overall Employee of Achievement 2008 went to Dave Sykes, Planning Policy Officer.  Dave was nominated for his continuing outstanding commitment to the production of the new Local Development Framework. Dave's team says that his dedication to planning policy often means he works beyond the call of duty, often working at weekends and late at night.