Bill Axon has been elected as Fa’side Area Partnership’s new Chair.
Bill, who is a local resident as well as Chief Executive of Enjoyleisure which manages local sports centres, replaces Donald Grant in the role.
In his two years as Chair, Donald oversaw the implementation of a number of Area Partnership projects including the new parking at Foresters Park in Tranent, as well as maintaining support for two acclaimed Children’s Parliament projects - StreetsAhead Tranent and Children as Human Rights Defenders.
Donald also led the Area Partnership in a wide scale consultation and review of its Area Plan, which was approved last year by the East Lothian Partnership.
Led by community volunteers, Fa’side is one of six Area Partnership which receive funding from East Lothian Council to identify local priorities and help reduce inequalities.
It is supported by East Lothian Council’s Connected Communities service, which promotes and delivers the council’s community empowerment aims - working collaboratively with our local communities, other council services, community planning partners such as Police Scotland, NHS etc. and community organisations - to make a difference locally and address the impacts of poverty.
Donald said:
“I am proud to have been associated with Fa’side Area Partnership and all of the positive outcomes we have achieved for our communities in my two years as Chair.
“We have tackled the impacts of poverty by supporting local lunch club provision in Tranent, helped tackle social isolation in Elphinstone by setting up a small bite and blether group with Roots and Fruits and significantly improved the path network in and around Macmerry.
“All across Fa’side we have seen many improvements through the hard work, dedication and support we received from local communities who are at the forefront of community empowerment.
“I leave the partnership in the very capable hands of Bill Axon. I wish Bill, Debbie and Fa’side Area partnership all the very best in the coming year.”
After being elected Chair at the recent Fa’side Area Partnership AGM on 14 January, Bill Axon said:
“I want to thank Fa’side Area Partnership for electing me as their new Community Chairperson.
“I have followed with great interest the development of the partnership as a local resident and have first-hand experience of their project delivery.
“I am very excited to be taking on this role and will do so in an inclusive manner which seeks to hear all and ensure the partnership continues to make a positive difference in our local communities.”
Speaking at the AGM, Provost John McMillan said:
“I want to thank Donald for all that he has done for our communities in his time as Chair.
“I am impressed by the way the partnership is run and many of the projects and innovative ideas you have. I often share them with other partnerships in an effort make a difference in our and my local community.”
Simon Davie, the local Connected Communities Manager with East Lothian Council, said:
“I personally would like to thank Donald for the way in which he led and chaired our Area Partnership over the last two years.
“Donald has been a great support and devoted a huge amount of time over a short space of time, to help the partnership develop and grow.
“Donald always made sure everyone’s voices were heard and it will be great to see Bill will carry on that tradition of equity and fairness in the way the partnership operates. I am looking forward to working with Bill and continuing to make a difference in our local communities.”