EAST Lothian Council workers were honoured for their efforts as the local authority held its annual STAR Awards in The Brunton, Musselburgh.

The awards celebrate the achievements of employees who have gone the extra mile to carry out their work and have been nominated by members of the public and colleagues.

They also recognise the commitment of employees through long service awards.

Now in their 11th year, the 2018 awards received a record 207 nominations and 33 finalists were chosen.

Brian Reilly, caretaker at The Brunton, won the Council Worker of the Year title.

Described as “pleasant and efficient, who cheerfully helps out both colleagues and customers at The Brunton”, Brian has worked there for just under two years.

He was presented with his award by Billy Gray of Morrison Construction.

The adult services social work frontline practitioners team won the Team of the Year prize. The team were nominated for their work aiming for the best possible outcomes for many individuals in county communities requiring support and advice. They help vulnerable elderly people to continue to live with dignity in their own homes and support individuals and families who may be experiencing difficulties.

The team were presented with their award by Gary Scougall of Eve Coaches.

Speaking at the awards, Angela Leitch, chief executive of East Lothian Council, said: “Over the course of the year I am out and about meeting staff and I find it heartening to hear the number of teams across the council who have a story to tell about the things they have made happen and how they work with others to make sure we achieve the best outcomes possible.

“We have some of our partners with us tonight to recognise some of the initiatives we have achieved by joining forces with our communities.”

Thanks were extended to all of the sponsors of the STAR Awards – Biffa, Canon UK, East Coast Buses, EDF Energy, Eve Coaches, Geddes, Morrison Construction, Prentice Coaches and Viridor.

The full list of STAR Award winners were:

l Customer Excellence (Individual): winner Pamela Fleming, assistant customer service officer, Brunton Hall; highly commended Ann-Marie Glancy, principal accountant; finalist Ashley Hardy, strategy and planning officer, health and social care partnership.

l Customer Excellence (Team): winner roads services; highly commended customer feedback and FOI team; finalist, customer services, Brunton Hall.

l Unsung Heroes: winner Brian Reilly, Brunton Hall; highly commended Peter Tumulka, Vehicle Plant Maintenance Unit (VPMU); finalist The Special Clean Team.

l Working in Partnership: winner community response team; highly commended Rudi Fruzynski, licensing team; finalist Helen Gillanders, headteacher, Dunbar Primary.

l Services to our People: winner Kristen Chevreuil, occupational therapist; highly commended health and social care partnership social workers; finalist Lynda Reid, registration service.

l One Council: winner SchoolPay online school payments team; highly commended Haddington 2018 team; finalist Diana Budziosz, transportation.

l Community Award: winner Iain Clark and Vivien Struthers, Musselburgh Area Partnership; highly commended Alan Bell, Recharge; finalists Yvonne Carr and Jannis Hamilton, emergency care service; Kevin Porteous, waste services; James Yule, community council.

l Provost’s Award: Young Council Worker – winner Rory Armitage, Jack Droudge, Connor Stevens and Fraser Thomson, amenity services trainees; highly commended William Kelley, council support; finalists Sam Chymlowskyj, amenity services; Taylor Garman, council support.

l Wellbeing Award: winner Fiona Sellwood, PE specialist; highly commended amenity services team; finalist Donna Doherty, family outreach worker.

l Team of the Year: winner adult social work team – frontline practitioners; highly commended outdoor education team; finalist                    Green Room Nursery support staff, Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School.

l Council Worker of the Year: Brian Reilly, Brunton Hall.