Tomorrow’s Council Today competition announcement

I’d like to personally thank all the staff who organised and attended the events that were held as part of Business Transformation Week. Engagement with staff is the key to ensuring that we can make these projects and initiatives a success as it is you, Aberdeenshire Council employees, who will put all these changes into practise.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Antiques Mode Show’ that was on display at both Woodhill House and Stonehaven Town Hall; comparing and contrasting between the technologies of yesteryear and those that are coming, or will potentially be coming, to Aberdeenshire Council was both interesting and thought-provoking. On Wednesday, myself and the other members of the Strategic Management Team attended an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ staff feedback event at Inverurie Academy. It was an eye-opening experience and it has given myself and the directorate some real food for thought regarding the council’s successes and how we can build on them moving forward.

It is also with great pleasure that I announce the winner of the ‘Tomorrow’s Council Today’ competition and the grand prize of an Apple TV. Staff were challenged to create their vision of the council of the future out of recycling and other re-used materials. Whilst we received multiple interesting and creative entries, the winner was Marie Shaw, Arts Development Officer, who created this charming fellow:

I was particularly impressed with Marie’s creative and innovative take on the remit, particularly the thought that had gone into the model and the fact that it is also visually and aesthetically pleasing.Marie described the council of the future as being “organic, with strong roots in the community utilising digital technologies to the benefit of Aberdeenshire’s residents.”

I’d also like to congratulate Equalities Officer Emma Grant for her second place offering, seen to the right, which has won her a selection of confectionery. Congratulations to Marie and thank you again to all who attended Business Transformation Week.