The Mayor held a reception to mark the long service of six employees. In doing so she praised them for their loyalty and hard work which was, she said, 'a vital contribution to the continued success of the Council'.
Receiving the long-service certificates were:
Karl Bridson - 30 years
Parks chargehand Karl Bridson joined the Council in April 1987 and is part of a four-strong team responsible for maintaining the borough cemetery and crematorium and the lawn cemetery. He and his colleagues provide a welcoming, dignified, safe and secure setting at both sites, which not only serve as places of quiet reflection but are also important green open spaces that promote biodiversity and conservation.
Karen Higgins - 30 years
Personal assistant/administrative officer Karen Higgins started at the Council on October 19, 1987. After serving in the former Borough Engineer's department she now works in the Environment and Regeneration department and was a pivotal figure during the departmental restructuring process. Her wide-ranging and extensive knowledge is acknowledged as a vital support across all departmental functions.
William Truesdale - 30 years
Refuse collector William (Billy) Truesdale joined the Council on July 9, 1987. An 'unsung hero' of the Council he is out in all weathers collecting domestic, industrial and commercial refuse. He and his colleagues empty in the region of 700,000 wheelie bins a year, and is required to have health and safety and technical knowledge and also provides assistance to elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers unable to manage putting out and returning their bins.
Karl Blower - 20 years
Formena arborist Karl Blower joined the Council on July 21, 1997. He directs the arboricultural team in duties including maintaining and planting trees in the Council's parks, streets and open spaces; tree inspections; pruning, felling, de-limbing and cross-cutting; liaising with the forestry section; emergency tree risk assessment; and advising the head of parks. He and his team have also contributed to the Council being awarded six Green Flags this year for the high quality of its open spaces.
Andrew Butterworth - 20 years
Assistant electrical services manager Andrew Butterworth joined the Council on July 28, 1997. In 2004 he was promoted to electrical chargehand and in 2012 to his current role. He is also the qualifying supervisor for the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Contractors) so is responsible for ensuring compliance and statutory duties.
The electrical services section is responsible for the Council's public and decorative lighting; installations in the Council's domestic, public and commercial properties; CCTV system; PAT testing; fire alarms; emergency lighting; car park installations; flags and banners and event support for occasions such as Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and the Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.
Kevin Erdbeer - 20 years
Recycling and bulking up facility supervisor Kevin Erdbeer joined the Council on June 30, 1997. He is responsible for the overall day-to-day supervision and control of the facility and is a key player in the Council's re-use and recycle programme. Together with his colleagues he is helping to reduce the volume of waste transported to the energy from waste plant and so is contributing to lessening the burden on the rate.
In one year he and his team will be involved in recycling some 665 tonnes of kerbside waste. He also promotes the benefits of recycling to schools and via social media and at open days at the Ballacottier facility.
(Karl Blower, Karl Bridson, Kevin Erdbeer and Karen Higgins unavailable for photo).
