Issuu

December 2025

Look at this year’s bumper Christmas edition

Angela Whitton , 25 years

Long Service Awards page 2

Community Fund 2025

Apprentice Roadworkers

page 7 - 10

page 11

Spook-tacular Halloween Menu

Tayside Excellence Awards 2026

page 19

page 13

APSE Award Winner page 32

Here's just some of what's in...

Robotic Cleaning

Sign Shop

page 35

page 37

Grapevine I’ve been advised it’s an age thing, but time seems to pass so quickly these days, another year just about over. There have been many changes in the last 12 months, a new management structure implemented in 2024, me taking up the role of Managing Director and ongoing service redesigns to name a few. All that said, a very enjoyable and fantastic year. As I mentioned in the previous team briefing, we appointed my replacement to Head of Operations Ewan MacNaughton in September, Ewan took up the post on the 8th December and I’m delighted to welcome Ewan onboard and I’m sure many of you will have the opportunity to meet him over the coming weeks and months.

As we approach the festive season, I want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of everyone in Team Tayside Contracts. Your hard work, skill, and commitment play a vital role in keeping our business running smoothly and in delivering essential public services across Tayside. I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a well-deserved festive break, hoping it brings time to relax, recharge, and enjoy moments with family and friends. Without wishing our lives away I’m really looking forward to the year ahead, a new management team now fully in place, with us all continuing to work together, building on our successes, and supporting one another along the way. On behalf of the Corporate Leadership Team, thank you for everything you do. Your contribution is truly valued, and we appreciate the energy and dedication you bring to your roles each day. We wish you all a very happy holiday, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Dougie

Long Service Recognition Awards On Tuesday 16 September we held our Long Service Recognition Awards for those employees who had reached 25 and 40 years service. This was held in the Malmaison Hotel, Dundee. We were delighted to be joined by Provost Bill Campbell who welcomed and thanked everyone for their long service and presented each employee with their certificate and well-deserved vouchers.

Laura Bambrick, 25 years

Suzanne Birse, 25 years

Marion Gorrie, 25 years

Tracey Jack, 25 years

Moria Mentiply, 40 years

Patricia Peters, 25 years

Charlie Riley, 40 years

Linda Vincent, 25 years

Well done and thank you to each of you for your hard work and loyal service.

Caroline McConnachie, 25 years

Gillian Provan , 25 years

Angela Whitton , 25 years

ALL NEW‌ NEW‌ HR SYSTEM!

By Mandy Leeder, Business Support Manager We have been working hard behind the scenes for some time now to introduce a new HR System called ‘Resourcelink’ which will replace our existing system ‘Snowdrop’. Resourcelink is a modern, secure cloud-based HR records system. Although we are still working towards full functionality of the system, we are excited to now be able to roll this system out to managers and supervisors in the form of ‘MyView’ which allows managers and supervisors to view relevant data relating to the employees they manage. Once we have completed the roll out to managers, our focus will be on launching ‘MyView’ to all employees. MyView will allow you to access your own personal information and over time will give you the ability to:

Check and update your personal details, such as address, phone number, email address etc

Access any correspondence which has been issued to you by Tayside Contracts

Request annual leave

View current and historic payslips .…and much more!

It is our intention to roll out access to MyView in stages during 2026 and you will be kept up to date on timescales for this to happen. Training will be given to all employees to show them how to navigate the system when the time comes. You can rest assured that even if you don’t consider yourself to be ‘IT savvy’ it will be easy to use Self-Service everyone will be able to do so, stress-free! Access to the system will be granted to those who have provided us with their home email address. Although almost all our employees have done so, some have not. If you are one of those who has yet to provide your email address, I would encourage you to do so as soon as possible by emailing our HR Admin Team hradmin@tayside-contracts.co.uk with your name, payroll number and personal email address.

Changes within the HR, IT and Business Support Unit

HR Section

has seen a lot of changes within the HR, IT and Business Support Unit with the retirement of a lot of familiar faces and several new starts and new posts for existing team members.

After Amy McGowan left the team after 7 years’ service in April and Jenny McAllister left the team earlier this year after 17 years’ service in June, we welcomed Mairi Smith and Heather McKenzie to permanent HR Adviser roles earlier this year. Donna Clelland also joined the team in December 2025 as a temporary HR Adviser and will be getting out and about to visit different locations and attend meetings over the next few weeks.

Business Support Section HR Admin Claire Ramsay who previously worked in the Payroll Team started in her new post of Business Support Assistant (HR Admin & Systems) in November and recruitment is underway for a temporary Clerical Assistant to join the team. Payroll

Safety & Training Section The Safety and Training has been quite stable. In April the team was brought up to a full complement with the addition of Hayley Johnston. Hayley joined the team as Health & Safety Coordinator which is a development post and she is working towards gaining the qualifications and experience necessary to become an Assistant Health and Safety Adviser. IT Section One of Tayside Contracts’ original employees, Ed Middleton, retired after 37 years’ service in August. Dave Kay succeeded Ed in the appointment of IT Manager in September, Dave has been with the company for 13 years. Robbie MacKillop left the team at the end of October after being with us for 3 years. Chis Robb joined as Senior IT Engineer in October, bringing an impressive 19 years of experience in IT. With a strong background in infrastructure, M365, Cloud Computing and systems management, Chris will play a key role in delivering robust solutions and supporting critical projects. Krzysztof Kosecki started in December bringing over 10 years of IT support experience. His practical approach and enthusiasm for problemsolving will help us maintain high service standards.

Siobhan Greathurst started as a Payroll Assistant in November, replacing Claire DRMP & Angus Admin Sandi Aitchison left the team to move to a new role in Transport in month. Matthew Duffy was welcomed into the team as a Clerical Assistant in September.

PRMP Admin Looking ahead, Hazel Hutchinson has decided to retire at the end of December after 26 years’ service. Gilliam Lumsden will take over as Business Support Assistant (PRMP) and recruitment is underway for a new Clerical Assistant. We’re sure you’ll join us in welcoming all the new team members and wishing those who’ve left all the best for the future. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this period of significant change.

Riverside Avenue -signage upgrade-

We’ve installed new signage to make your visit smoother. To help avoid unnecessary turnarounds, the sign now includes a temporary ‘Site Closed’ notice that will be displayed whenever the site is not accessible. Before heading down the road, please check the sign to confirm the centre is open. This small change means less hassle and more convenience for everyone.

by Bob Ritchie – Transport Manager

Back in August, we provided 400 packed lunches to support the ‘Friends of Dudhope Park’ family fun Day. This community group applied to our Community Fund and were successful in the application. The packed lunches were given out free to families attending on the day, which went down very well.

It’s all in the preparation!

The Dundee Bairns volunteer team based at Coldside Campus prepared the 400 packed lunches as this was during the summer holidays. What a team!

👏🏻

Angus Training Group Ltd (atg) Angus Training Group also took advantage of the Tayside Contracts Community Fund and applied to have a proper path added to their grounds to make it more accessible for users. As part of the same application, they had parking bays painted in their car park. pictured from L to R: Dougie McKay, Managing Director, Lisa Laidlaw, ATG Managing Director, Honor Cargil, Community Benefits & Sustainability Officer and Councillor Craig Fotheringham

We took the opportunity to visit Angus Training Group to see the work that had been carried out, but we were very grateful to also be shown around the premises by Managing Director, Lisa Laidlaw to see the great work carried out by ATG who provide Modern Apprenticeships in engineering.

2025

Round Up

The Tayside Contracts Community Fund, in association with Brakes, has been a great success again this year, allowing us to support 93 groups with a variety of different services, to the equivalent value of almost £151k. These successful applicants provide valuable support to the wider community and Tayside Contracts are delighted to assist in contributing. In 2025 the fund has supported a total of 36 fast-track applications, these are up to a maximum value of £500 per application.

And a total of 57 full applications, these are up to a maximum of £3,000 per application.

Here’s just some of the anonymous feedback we have received this year from our survey. "The catering helped us celebrate our charities anniversary. We were able to open our doors and invited the public in and give them free refreshments. So the impact was community city cohesion."

"Allows us to use the money this would cost us to offer funded places in childcare for children in poverty."

"This work in our carpark has allowed a short, accessible loop to be reinstated, meaning visitors with limited mobility can safely enjoy an easy loop through more scenic areas of the park."

"With the sign above our charity premises we can be more easily identified."

"Huge benefit to allow our facility to be signposted for the community."

"The signs will be significant in communicating a new initiative in the participating schools. They will serve to inform parents, educators and visitor and most importantly, the pupils"

Find out more about the Community Fund here:

Apprentice

Construction Roadworkers

by Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser

Tayside Contracts have embarked on their fifth Construction Apprentice Roadworker intake. Previously this was supported by their attendance at Edinburgh College for the training and SVQ assessment process however this year brings a big change. 2025 – 2027 group will be trained by our own Safety and Training Team, Trainer/Assessors Garry Livie and Chris Stirling, and the training element will be delivered by utilising Cleaves Training Centre for the weeks training. A full training programme has been developed to mirror what the college delivered but with the added bonus of the in-house skills and knowledge provided by our own team. The apprentices will attend for the first-year training weeks over a twelve-week programme, between working within the allocated squads with Lead Operatives then be supported by JBM the second year to complete their SVQ Level 2 in Road Building & Maintenance (SCQF Level 5).

We welcomed eight new apprentices in the following area 4 x Perth Roads Maintenance Partnership (2 Ruthvenfield/2 Blairgowrie) 1 x Dundee Roads Maintenance Partnership 3 x Angus Operations (2 x Cairnie Depot/ 1 x Forfar Depot). They attended their first week’s training at Cleaves on 30 June 2025 and can be seen below, we wish them all the luck in their new apprenticeship, and we will be sure to feedback on their progress.

Pictured Left to Right Harris Johnston (Cairnie), Keaton Martin (Cairnie), Jamie Galloway (Forfar), Cole Murphy (Dundee), Nathan Graham (Ruthvenfield), Mark Hay (Ruthvenfield), Piotrek Kotowicz (Blairgowrie) and Findlay Bodle (Blairgowrie)

We are delighted to announce that the nomination forms for the Tayside Excellence Awards 2026 are now OPEN! We are excited to also announce that the 2026 ceremony will be held in the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee on Friday 22 May. Click on the images below to make your nomination.

Nominations close 20 February 2026 These awards are open to all Tayside Contracts employees (frontline and office-based) who have worked for Tayside Contracts during the period January 2025 to January 2026.

Meet the

‌ STIMATING SERVICES &‌ E ‌BUS‌INESS IMPROVEMENT‌

Team‌

The Estimating Services & Business Improvement Team, part of our Construction Division, has been evolving and we’d love to reintroduce ourselves! Recent changes include new faces and familiar colleagues taking on fresh challenges. Here’s who’s who:

Steven Allan - Estimating Services Manager After three years as a Project Manager in Angus Operations, Steven has returned to the role he held for 13 years. Welcome back, Steven!

Mark Melnyk - Business Improvement Manager Mark has been part of the team for a decade and stepped into this leadership role in 2022 after the retirement of Ian Gardiner. His experience continues to drive positive change.

Kyleigh Myles - Business Improvement Officer Kyleigh joined the team six months ago, bringing a background as a site engineer and a passion for improvement. Fun fact: steel fixing runs in her blood!

Mojeed Adeboye - Business Improvement Assistant Mojeed recently completed an MSc in Sustainable Construction Management and is excited to apply his knowledge to real-world projects.

Jon Hazelton - Business Improvement Assistant After concluding his long-standing role as Project Manager in the Perth Roads Maintenance Partnership, Jon has joined us part-time for two years to share his wealth of experience.

Graeme Dare - Estimator Graeme has been with us for so long we’ve lost count! He’s believed to be the second-longest-serving member of the Construction Division, a true cornerstone of the team.

Sadly, Nikhil Mohan has moved on to a new challenge with Edinburgh City Council. We thank Nikhil for his contributions and wish him every success in his new role! Keep an eye out for the upcoming Estimator job advertisement, it’s a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic team making a real impact. Our team goes beyond estimating, we’re shaping innovation across a variety of dynamic roles and units. Some examples are as follows:

Supporting the Dundee Road Maintenance Partnership with the handover and planning of recently awarded major projects to be delivered this financial year. Supporting the onboarding of new staff coming into the Street Lighting Partnership. Supporting the implementation of our newly revised Business Continuity Resilience Plan. Supporting our Climate Change Action Group. Supporting the Procurement team in the publication of a new Subcontract Framework. Planning and supporting the renewed emphasis on One Construction from March 2026 after its delayed embedment due to Covid-19. One Construction will become the foundation of our new Quality Plan.

We are looking forward to working with you all soon. Thanks for your continued support. By Steven Allan, Estimating Services & Business Improvement Manager

School Crossing Patroller Visit to Whitehills P1s The Primary 1 pupils at Whitehills Primary School are currently learning about ‘people who help us.’

As part of this topic, they invited their Tayside Contracts School Crossing Patroller, Lynsey, to speak to the class. Lynsey talked to the children about the importance of reflective clothing, her role in keeping them safe, how she helps them cross the road, and how to use the lollipop responsibly.

The pupils then took their learning outdoors, where they practised crossing the road safely, with each child given the chance to hold the lollipop. The school extended their thanks to Lynsey for taking the time to speak with the children about how she helps keep the It’s great to see partnership working in action and to have our team supporting

community’s young people safe on their journeys to and from school.

the education of young people across Tayside. By Sheryl McKiddie, Facilities Operations Manager

Jean Robertson

RETIREMENT This special photo captures Jean (left) with Linda Smith (right), our wonderful Hub Supervisor, marking the end of an inspiring chapter and the beginning of a well-earned retirement. Thank you, Jean, for your commitment, kindness, and the legacy you leave behind. You will be greatly missed!

By Angela McLellan, Catering Area Manager

We are delighted to welcome Snatan Sharma on board as an Assistant Project Engineer in Ruthvenfield depot as part of the Perth Roads Maintenance Partnership team.

Snatan Sharma

I’m sure everyone will join me in welcoming Snatan on board and wishing him all the best in his Tayside Contracts journey!

Originally from Panchkula in North India, Snatan has significant experience as a site engineer playing a successful role in the execution of various road and bridge construction projects in his home country. Snatan moved to Edinburgh in 2023 to complete a Masters degree in Construction Management at Herriot Watt University before joining the Tayside Contracts team in August 2025.

WELCOME By Shaun Caldwell, Senior Project Engineer

Leadership Employee By Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser We want to hear from you! At Tayside Contracts, it’s important that everyone has the chance to share their views—what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Around Easter 2026, we will be asking all employees to take part in the Tayside Contracts Leadership Employee Survey. This survey gives you the chance to provide feedback on key areas of our leadership, including: Leading and inspiring people Living our values and behaviours Empowering and involving employees Managing performance Recognising and rewarding good work Organising work effectively Developing skills and capability Supporting continuous improvement Creating long-term, sustainable success We want as many employees as possible to take part. To make this easier, we will offer different ways to complete the survey—for example, time during your working day or an email link you can use at a time that suits you. Please look out for more information from your manager about how to take part. We encourage you to complete the survey and share your views—your feedback really does make a difference.

Rational Demonstration Day Hub Supervisors and Cooks in Charge from Dundee and Perth and Kinross attended a demonstration of Rational kitchen equipment on the 14th November. The event was held at Dean Park Hotel in Kirkcaldy, where there were demonstrations and advice and tips given on cooking methods and how best to use the equipment to achieve the optimum end product quality.

All those who attended found the event to be informative and very useful. A big thanks to Rational for hosting us, and for their hospitality. By Caroline Cruickshanks, Catering Services Manager

Primary Schools Across Tayside Enjoy a Spook-tacular Halloween Menu Pupils in primary schools across Tayside were treated to a Spooky Day themed lunch on Thursday, 30 October, as part of this year’s Halloween celebrations. The special menu featured frightfully fun dishes including Monster Meatballs with Hocus Pocus Pasta and Frog Brains, which proved to be a big hit with the children. Catering teams embraced the Halloween spirit wholeheartedly, adding their own imaginative and ghoulish touches to the day. Their creativity and enthusiasm helped make the event a memorable experience for pupils. A huge well done to everyone involved for making Spooky Day such a fantastic success!

By Caroline Cruickshanks, Catering Services Manager

Annual Performance Report A Year of Dedication and Achievement As we wrap up another successful year, Tayside Contracts is delighted to present our Annual Performance Report, recently approved by the Joint Committee in November. This year’s report is packed with inspiring examples of the dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment our people bring to their roles every day. Whether you work behind the scenes or in a public-facing position, there’s something in these pages that will make you proud. If you haven’t had a chance to explore the report yet, now is the perfect moment. It’s full of remarkable stories from across the organisation, highlighting the essential role we play in supporting our local communities, businesses, and colleagues. At the recent Joint Committee, members positively commented on the achievements made, along with the positive progress with agreed commitments, recognising the valuable support Tayside Contracts provides. But this report is about more than facts and figures, it’s a celebration of the people behind the achievements. You’ll find stories of teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and the strong sense of community that makes Tayside Contracts not just a workplace, but a family.

Why take the time to read the Annual Performance Report? Because it’s a powerful reminder of the meaningful work we do and the positive impact we have on the communities we serve. It offers a chance to reflect on our collective successes and appreciate how far we’ve come as an organisation. As we look ahead to the coming year, let’s carry forward the momentum of this past one. This report isn’t just a record of what we’ve achieved, it’s a source of motivation and inspiration to keep striving for excellence. So, grab a cup of tea or coffee, relax, and enjoy. Who knows, you might even spot some well-deserved recognition for yourself or your team! by Dougie Mckay, Managing Director

Beating the Winter Blues: Staying Bright and Healthy This Season During darker days and colder weather many of us experience a dip in energy that can leave us feeling a little low, so it’s more important than ever to look after ourselves and each other. Winter can be challenging, but it also offers a chance to slow down, reconnect, and refocus on wellbeing. We hope these tips help you stay healthy, positive, and supported throughout the season.

Mental Wellbeing Winter can bring lower energy, reduced motivation, and a dip in mood — but it’s also a time to refocus on what helps us feel well. The Five Ways to Wellbeing offer a simple, evidence-based framework to support mental health and resilience, especially during the colder months.

1. Connect

2. Be Active

Strong relationships are vital to our wellbeing. Taking time to connect with others — whether at work, at home, or in the community — helps us feel supported and valued. Winter can be isolating, so staying in touch with colleagues, friends, and loved ones is more important than ever.

Physical activity isn’t just good for your body — it’s a powerful way to boost your mood and reduce stress. You don’t need to run marathons; even gentle movement can help. Staying active through winter helps maintain energy levels and supports mental clarity.

3. Take Notice

4. Keep Learning

Being present and aware of the world around us can help us feel more grounded and appreciative. Winter offers its own beauty and rhythm — from crisp morning air to quiet evenings. Taking notice of small moments can help shift our focus from stress to gratitude.

Learning new things keeps our minds engaged and gives us a sense of purpose. It doesn’t have to be formal — curiosity, creativity, and trying something new all count. Winter is a great time to explore interests, build skills, or simply enjoy discovering something different.

5. Give Giving isn’t just about grand gestures — small acts of kindness, support, and appreciation can have a big impact. Helping others fosters connection and boosts our own wellbeing. Whether it’s offering time, encouragement, or simply being there for someone, giving helps build a positive, caring culture.

Financial Wellbeing Financial stress can affect mental health, especially during winter when costs often rise. Taking time to review your budget, plan ahead for seasonal expenses, and access any available Members of the Local Government Pension Scheme have access to My Money Matters, an online platform that provides LGPS members with tailored financial education, support and services; from AVC’s to budgeting to insurance. Many organisations offer financial wellbeing resources, details of some of these can be found on the Financial Wellbeing pages of our website. And all employees have access to financial wellbeing information though our Employee Benefits Portal (details at the end of the article), so don’t hesitate to explore what’s available.

Physical Wellbeing Staying Healthy This Winter Wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of winter bugs. Eat immune-supporting foods like citrus fruits, garlic, and leafy greens. Stay hydrated and warm, especially in heated indoor spaces. Get your flu jab if eligible. Keep shared spaces clean and ventilated.

Rest and Recharge Sleep is essential for resilience. A consistent bedtime and calming evening routine can help you feel more rested and better equipped to handle winter’s demands.

Reach Out If You Need Support If you’re finding things difficult, please don’t hesitate to speak to someone. Whether it’s a colleague, a friend, or a professional, support is always available — and asking for help is a sign of strength. Remember that as an employee of Tayside Contracts you have access to our Employee Benefits Portal. The portal hosts a range of benefits which may support you including access to confidential external support via the 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Your Care, which is a dynamic wellbeing platform offering a range of personal, emotional and financial wellbeing tools. You can register at www.vivup.co.uk/users/sign-in and login or access the portal via the Vivup app.

Let’s make this winter one of wellbeing, warmth, and connection — together.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: They say you should never answer your phone at 4:30pm on a Friday and on this occasion, they might have had a point. By that time, a fire at Riverside Recycling Centre in Dundee had been smouldering for some time, but conditions were worsening. Smoke was drifting across Riverside Avenue, creating significant safety risks for drivers and prompting urgent calls for support. Within minutes, Tayside Contracts were mobilised to assist.

Working under the direction of Scottish Fire and Rescue, and in close coordination with Dundee City Council’s Neighbourhood Services team, our crews responded with speed, precision, and the quiet professionalism that defines our partnership. Supervisors and frontline staff co-ordinated site access, deployed traffic management, and ensured public safety, all while maintaining clear communication with emergency responders and council colleagues. The situation was dynamic, but our people remained calm, focused, and fully committed to supporting the emergency effort. Among those who led the response were Blair Shaw, Rory Keen, Don Berrington, and Josh Douris, each playing a vital role in ensuring that operations ran safely and smoothly. Their leadership and composure under pressure exemplified the very best of public service, and their actions helped set the tone for a coordinated, effective response. But our contribution didn’t end with the initial mobilisation. In the days that followed, Tayside Contracts maintained a continuous operational presence on site, mechanically turning and relocating compost heaps throughout the night for a full week to support fire suppression and site recovery. This was a critical task, carried out under challenging conditions, and it required not just technical capability but extraordinary commitment. As we reflect on this incident, we do so with pride, not just in the outcome, but in the people who made it possible. It’s a story of partnership, professionalism, and purpose. And yes, maybe still a cautionary tale about answering your phone late on a Friday afternoon! By Michael Colgan, DRMP Manager

Housing‌

Partnership‌ By Graeme Allan, Depute DRMP Manager The Dundee Roads Maintenance Partnership (DRMP) has recently undertaken a series of projects in collaboration with Dundee City Council’s Housing Department, further enhancing cross-departmental partnership working across various locations throughout the city. These initiatives, delivered by Tayside Contracts on a design-and-build basis, have not only created a valuable new revenue stream for DRMP but also provided tangible benefits to the Housing Department and residents across the city.

The completed works have been positively received by both the Council’s Housing team and local tenants, reflecting the quality and impact of the improvements. This marks the beginning of what promises to be a strong and mutually beneficial relationship as we look ahead to future opportunities.

Hummingbird Cake

On Tuesday 30 September, staff within Contracts House and Tay Cuisine decided to take part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning, which was also being held all over the country to raise funds for Cancer support. Coffee Morning, which was also being held all over the country to raise funds for Cancer support. Our colleagues at Tay Cuisine held theirs the following week.

Vegan Jaffa Cake

As you can see we had lots of donated cakes to buy and there were plenty takers! As well as the cakes on sale, we also had an online option for people to donate to because we have so many people now working from home or hybrid working. We held the ‘count the sprinkles on the cake competition’ and the winner of that was Bobby Carver, DRMP who won one a very big ‘Mile High Chocolate Cake’. I think he would have been feeding the neighbours with it too!

😋

Rhubarb & Custard Cake

So, between sales at Contracts House, Tay Cuisine and the online donations, we were delighted to raise a total of knowing that it will all go to a very good cause. Should you want or need to find out any information about how Macmillan Cancer Support can help you, a relative or a friend, you can visit their website for all the information you need.

Over the past few months, the Food & Nutrition Team have been out visiting Tayside schools to deliver sessions on the Eatwell Guide and how families can make some of our tasty school meal recipes at home! Caitlyn visited Ballumbie Primary School in Dundee for their ‘Fit Friday’ and presented to the pupils of P2-4 about the importance of a balanced diet and how each food group makes up the Eatwell Guide. Caitlyn organised a game for the pupils at the end of the session which the pupils really enjoyed. They were also given the opportunity to give their feedback on the current school menu and give their suggestions for future menus. The Food and Nutrition Team have also been invited to collaborate with NHS Tayside in their Best Foot Forward programme again this year. So far, Norrie and Carly have attended a session at Sidlaw View Primary in Dundee where Norrie demonstrated to families how to make our Tomato and Korma Sauces at home with different proteins, and to show the versatility of our recipes. The Food and Nutrition Team are looking forward to continuing this work alongside NHS Tayside on the Best Foot Forward sessions and already have further dates in the calendar for other schools in the Angus and Perth and Kinross areas.

By Sheryl McKiddie,Facilities Operations Manager

As part of our membership with Assist FM, we were delighted to once again be invited to take part in the FM Cleaning Scholarship delivered by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). We’re proud to share that Carolanne Torrie, pictured right, has successfully completed the scholarship, receiving her certificate at the Autumn Assist Seminar in Dunfermline. The programme consisted of six modules, all of which Carolanne completed while managing her own busy workload. This is an outstanding achievement. Well done, Carolanne and thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

By Gary Chmiel, Facilities Services Manager

Significant staffing changes within October and November brought some big changes to our Transport management team, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions of our former colleagues.

years After 16 years of dedicated service, Graham Robertson retired from his role as Fleet Engineer - thank you, Graham, for your commitment and expertise over the years! Stepping into the role is Paul Anderson, formerly Workshop Supervisor in Perth. Paul’s previous position has now been filled by Craig McLaren, who brings valuable experience from his time as a chargehand in the Perth Workshop. Craig’s vacancy has now been filled by Ross Henderson, who has been promoted from his position as a mechanic within Perth.

Ron Wilkie At Peasiehill Workshop in Arbroath, we also said a fond farewell to Ron Wilkie, who retired after an amazing 22 years of service. Thank you, Ron, for

Kev in S turr ock

everything you’ve done! We’re delighted to welcome Kevin Sturrock as his successor, and we look forward to the fresh ideas and energy he’ll bring to the team.

years

Significant staffing changes within New Apprentice Recruits September was an exciting month for our Transport team as we welcomed three new apprentices to the fold! Joining our growing group of apprentices (9 in total) are Logan Little in Dundee, Jayden Perry in Perth, and Ryan McAllan at Peasiehill workshop in Arbroath. Over the course of their training, they’ll split their time between hands-on experience in their local workshops and classroom learning at Edinburgh College, gaining the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of transport professionals. We’re thrilled to have them on board and can’t wait to see what they achieve!

Jayden Perry

Logan Little

Ryan McAllan

National Recognition APSE Awards By Bob Ritchie, Transport Services Manager Finally, we’re thrilled to share that Transport Services were once again named as a finalist in the APSE Transport Operations & Vehicle Maintenance Awards for 2024/25! Even better, we’ve been shortlisted in not one, but two categories: Best Performer and Most Improved. The winners were announced in Blackpool on 4th December, and Galin and I were there representing the team. We were fortunate enough to step onto the winners’ podium as winner of the Most Improved category. This recognition is a fantastic reflection of everyone’s hard work and dedication, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Here’s what the naughty elves have been up to in our school kitchens!

Robotic Cleaning By Gary Chmiel, Facilities Services Manager

The cleaning industry is constantly evolving, with new ideas and technologies emerging all the time. Gone are the days when cleaners had to rely solely on a mop and bucket to maintain large areas - floor scrubber dryers have transformed the way we work.

The latest innovations in floor-cleaning technology continue to push the industry forward, and Tayside Contracts is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Robotic vacuum cleaners and a PUDU scrubber dryer were recently trialled over a one-month period at Auchterarder Community School and Sports Centre. At the end of the trial, feedback from the FM team was overwhelmingly positive. A PUDA is a walk-behind scrubber dryer, however, it is fully automated. The team reported that the machine was excellent and saved cleaners at least six hours per week, allowing them to focus on other key tasks. They also noted that introducing this technology into the secondary school could be a game-changer for cleaning corridors and assembly halls. The equipment was described as fast, effective, and user-friendly, with manufacturer support and training delivered to the highest standard. It is important to note that these machines are not to replace cleaners but to aid them deliver the best service possible to our customers allowing them to focus on other key areas. Over the course of the next few years, the aim is to gradually introduce these into buildings, allowing time for cleaners to familiarise themselves with this new technology.

Occupational Health & Safety Policy We’ve completed our annual review of the organisation’s Occupational Health & Safety Policy, with only a few minor updates made this year. These regular reviews help ensure our guidance stays current and that we continue to support a safe and positive working environment for everyone.

We’re also sharing a short video from our Managing Director, offering a general introduction to our Occupational Health & Safety Policy and why it plays such an important role across the business.

Find the link to the Occupational Health and Safety Policy here

Works

Brechin dog park

AC dog access points

Stuart came to us looking for some signage for his new dog park in Brechin. We liaised with his designer and met with stuart to discuss the best material opportunities for him and settled on these great reflective signs.

Angus council designed some new dog park signs for Brothock Water which we manufactured and supplied for them.

BHS litter signs Blairgowrie High School came to us for some new litter signage, which we designed and supplied.

Danscot totem Let’s play fair pop up’s Equal at Home applied to our Community Fund and were granted funding for some pop up banners they’re going to use to promote their childrens card game. The game promotes equality in the home through sharing chores for a gender equal future.

Danscot were looking for some new signage for their Perth branch so we manufactured a gradient totem which they installed themselves.

Manufacture of the 20MPH enrolment The team are still working on the manufacture of the 20MPH enrolment, with PKC also putting in orders for this. Thousands of repeater signs have been made this year and will continue to be made throughout 2026, along with speed limit changes and new gateway signage. By Ailsa Bruce, Sign Manufacturing Operative

Check out the incredible transformations our

Construction teams have delivered recently...

Rannoch Road, Perth Carriageway Patching

Crombie Country Park, Angus

Hayfield Road, Glenfarg, Perth

Old Edinburgh Road, Bridge of Earn

Surfacing works, Marine Ave, Montrose

MISSION cash for kids We asked, and you responded! As you may have seen, we emailed everyone on the 10th December asking if you could help contribute to the Cash For Kids - Mission Christmas appeal as they were really struggling for gifts to honour the thousands of applications. As always ‘Team TC’ came to the rescue and we raised £270 in a matter of around 3 days! Thank you again for your support at what can be a difficult time of year for everyone, but you helped to make sure no child in Tayside wakes up without a present on Christmas morning.