Council leader is rewarded for iPad rollout

The leader of Scottish Borders Council, Shona Haslam, may have missed out on her chance of moving her workplace to Westminster, but there was one consolation for her last week.
Scottish Borders Council leader Shona Haslam with an iPad.Scottish Borders Council leader Shona Haslam with an iPad.
Scottish Borders Council leader Shona Haslam with an iPad.

Mrs Haslam was named the winner of the 2019 councillor award for innovation and digital at a national awards ceremony.

She came up short, however, in the Leader of the Year category.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Haslam was recognised for providing iPads to every school in the Borders, rolling out a digital learning programme. She also planned a mental health strategy for young people, putting a counsellor in every school.

Mrs Haslam said: “I am delighted that this work has been recognised at a national level. The whole council team can rightly be proud of the work that we have done in our Inspire Learning project.

“Our pupils and staff have engaged with this process to help make it a success, so I would like to pass on my thanks to all of them who have worked so hard to make this project a real game-changer in how we deliver education in the Borders.”

Competition was extremely tight, with nearly 100 nominations received. The winners were selected by a group of judges made up of local government experts and councillors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGiU said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil this year’s Councillor Award winners, a group of individuals who truly showcase the best of local government.

“Their work to make our communities safer, stronger and healthier so often goes unrecognised. That is why it is important that we honour them this evening.

“I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Cllr Haslam and thank her for her commitment to local government. We look forward to hearing more about her continued accomplishments in the future.”