Convener highlights Highland successes

The Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Jimmy Gray, opened today’s Highland Council meeting by congratulating the three Badenoch and Strathspey athletes who won medals at the Paralympics.

Dave Smith from Aviemore won a gold medal in the mixed coxed fours rowing event while Craig MacLean from Grantown piloted Anthony Kappes to victory in the tandem cycling event in the velodrome. Karen Darke from Grantown won a silver medal in the individual Hand cycling time trial at Brands Hatch.

He said: “The athletes have brought great distinction on the Highlands and I am sure we will work with local communities to ensure their success is recognised in a fitting way.”

The Convener also congratulated Council Housing and Property and Education officers who picked up a top prize for the design of Milton of Leys Primary School at a recent awards ceremony.  The school won the prize for best new building in the Central Region of the Highlands and Islands Architecture and Design Awards.

Designed by architects in The Highland Council, the school was built by Morrison Construction and opened in August 2011.

He said: “Our congratulations go to everyone involved in this project. The judges were so impressed with the enthusiasm for the building expressed by staff, from the receptionist when they arrived to the teachers they met while looking around the building, but particularly the Head Teacher, Robert Quigley,  who  impressed them with his approach to learning and the ethos that he's nurtured in the school.”

He also noted a Council success at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning in Glasgow on Tuesday night.  The Council  gained a commendation in the Quality of Service category for the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

He said: “This is the third year in a row we have gained an award at this event so well done to the planners.”