The council’s head of engineering and infrastructure has been commended for his dedication to the Borders during a 37-year career.
Robert Young has been named the winner of the Richard Hill Award, presented each year to a member of staff within the environment and infrastructure department who has made a notable contribution.
Mr Young, from Kelso, was employed by Borders Regional Council in September 1977 and has been involved in a number of major projects, including A7 improvements between Selkirk and Hawick, the Newtown bypass, initial stages of the three high school projects, flood protection schemes and advanced works for the Borders Railway.
Earlier this month, he took up a secondment role with the Scottish Government in its roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas of the country, but before he left he was handed the Richard Hill Quaich by executive member for roads and infrastructure, Councillor Gordon Edgar.
Rob Dickson, director of the environment and infrastructure department, paid tribute to Mr Young’s work, in particular his support for young staff in his role as the Institution of Civil Engineers’ supervising engineer.
Mr Dickson said: “Robert has always been a manager who has developed a culture of team building.
“This created a strong bond between staff under his stewardship that embedded a culture of working together to resolve problems and this has benefitted the council in difficult times over the years.
“His open door policy to support staff has brought out the best in individuals to deliver outputs for the council, but also fulfil the individual’s potential.”
Richard Hill was previously a director of technical services at SBC and on his retirement he gifted a quaich to be awarded on an annual basis.