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Saturday, June 14, 2025

Highland Council Team Wins Top Award for Parks and Play

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The dedicated Amenities Team at Highland Council has brought home a Gold Award in this year’s APSE Scotland Striving for Excellence Awards.

They were honoured in the Parks, Grounds and Street Scene category, a well-deserved recognition of the team’s tireless work across the Highlands.

These national awards celebrate the best work of local authorities in areas such as waste, recycling, parks, fleet and grounds management.

Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, praised the team’s achievement.

He said it was a brilliant result for a team that listens to the voices of young people and puts them at the heart of everything they do.

“Our strategy is now nationally recognised and is helping to shape best practice across Scotland,” he said.

“Play is absolutely vital for the wellbeing of children in our communities.

“I would like to congratulate the Amenities Team for ensuring that our approach to play is child-led and accessible to young people of all ages and abilities.”

In 2024, Highland Council launched a new in-house play team as part of its wider Amenities Review.

The team began with just three members but has now grown to eight, thanks to the enthusiasm and support of the communities they serve.

Since then, they have worked closely with more than 50 community groups across the region.

Their efforts have already transformed 27 play areas and shaped an ambitious Playpark Strategy and Action Plan that will guide improvements for the next decade.

Highland Council’s innovative strategy has also gained national attention.

It was recently highlighted in the Scottish Government’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025 to 2030.

Debbie Sutton, Strategic Lead for Community Operations and Logistics at Highland Council, accepted the award on behalf of her team.

She said:

“We are thrilled to win this award.

“It recognises the team’s passion and commitment to improving play opportunities for children of all ages right across the Highlands.

“I am incredibly proud of the work they do.”

The winners were announced at a charity dinner on 22 May during the APSE Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar at Aviemore Highland Resort.

The Association for Public Service Excellence is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes excellence across public services.

It works with more than 300 councils throughout the UK, making this award a true honour for the Highland Council team.

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