We've been revitalising our public services

by Chris Bartter

Following the launch of UNISON's Revitalise our Public Services campaign at the Scottish Parliament in May (last issue), news has reached SiU of UNISON members putting the principles into practice and delivering good public services on the ground.

Earlier this year UNISON member Moira Stallard was named Lollipop person of the Year. Moira, from Airdrie, is a member of UNISON's North Lanarkshire Branch. She has been a school crossing patroller for 20 years and was surprised and pleased to win this award.

"The job I do is often overlooked", she said. "But it is a vital part of ensuring that children get to and from school safe, and helps to encourage healthy walking and to preserve environment - friendly ways for kids to get to school."

Moira loves her job, she says. "The best part is getting to know the children and to watch them develop. I am now crossing children whose mothers I helped across in previous years!"

In Sighthill in Edinburgh, a group of public service workers went beyond the bounds of their workplace and won a number of awards including two at UK level. The local library staff have gone out and engaged with local young people, canvassed their opinions on what they wanted in their library and delivered many of those suggestions.

As a result complaints in the library about anti-social behaviour from young people have dropped by 75% and visitors increased by 12.5%. The team recently won both the UK's Outstanding Public Service Team of the Year award and the Local Government Team award organised by CIPFA and Public Finance magazine.

Previously they won the 'Libraries change lives' award from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (the professional body for library staff) and a 'Standing up to anti-social behaviour' award from the Scottish Executive.

The staff success is a team effort, stresses Senior Library Officer and UNISON member Evelyn Kilmurry. "The staff team in Sighthill went out of their way to engage these young people, listening to what they wanted and ensuring that their views were acted upon.

"As a result the library refurbishment delivered the sofas, DVDs, computers and other things the users asked for and they now look after their area.

"We are thrilled to win these awards, and to publicise what public services can achieve when they are accountable and deliver. Now the young people look after their library."

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