The best local authority in the UK has been officially confirmed as a northern metropolitan council, South Tyneside.
The council won local government’s top award, The MJ Best Achieving Council of the Year, at a gala evening attended by almost 1,000 people in London’s Hilton Hotel, Park Lane on June 26.
Hosted by Channel 4 news broadcaster John Snow and organised by The MJ, local government’s leading weekly news title, the gala night saw 16 councils win top awards with South Tyneside’s triumph capping the night of achievement.
The judges were impressed with the council’s innovative ‘Spirit of South Tyneside’ initiative.
The citation added: ‘This top-performing council has a sharp focus on its residents’ needs supported by a one-team approach from senior managers and members and constantly improving satisfaction ratings.’
Michael Burton, editor of The MJ, said: 'Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists who were selected from a record number of entries. The high calibre of projects submitted is a reflection of the huge range of quality services being delivered by local authorities and their partnering organisations. They are proof indeed that local government deserves its role as leader of its communities.'
The council won local government’s top award, The MJ Best Achieving Council of the Year, at a gala evening attended by almost 1,000 people in London’s Hilton Hotel, Park Lane on June 26.
Hosted by Channel 4 news broadcaster John Snow and organised by The MJ, local government’s leading weekly news title, the gala night saw 16 councils win top awards with South Tyneside’s triumph capping the night of achievement.
The judges were impressed with the council’s innovative ‘Spirit of South Tyneside’ initiative.
The citation added: ‘This top-performing council has a sharp focus on its residents’ needs supported by a one-team approach from senior managers and members and constantly improving satisfaction ratings.’
Michael Burton, editor of The MJ, said: 'Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists who were selected from a record number of entries. The high calibre of projects submitted is a reflection of the huge range of quality services being delivered by local authorities and their partnering organisations. They are proof indeed that local government deserves its role as leader of its communities.'
Communities minister Hazel Blears attended the evening, and she lauded the work of the finalists.
‘Everyone in this room has stepped up to the plate and is achieving,’ she told the audience.
Commenting more widely, she congratulated local authorities that were working hard ‘ to make their neighbourhoods places to be proud of’. She also looked forward to a more ‘mature relationship between town hall and Whitehall’.
The MJ awards pages on loclagov.co.uk will be updated through out the day, including pictures and video from the night.
The winners:
Best Achieving Council of the Year – South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council.
Public Private Partnership – Lincolnshire County Council and Mouchel Business Services
Best Achievement in Children’s Services – Staffordshire County Council
Transforming Public Services Achievement – London Borough of Islington
Customer Services Achievement – Bedfordshire County Council
Reducing Health Inequalities Achievement – Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
Legal Achievement – Birmingham City Council
Transforming Public Services Achievement – London Borough of Islington
Customer Services Achievement – Bedfordshire County Council
Reducing Health Inequalities Achievement – Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
Legal Achievement – Birmingham City Council
Councillor Development Achievement – Kirklees Metropolitan Council (Leadership Capacity Development for Councillors)
Facilities and Asset Management Achievement – London Borough of Havering
Public Protection Achievement – Lancashire County Council
Facilities and Asset Management Achievement – London Borough of Havering
Public Protection Achievement – Lancashire County Council
Top Team Leadership Achievement – Suffolk County Council
Promoting Active Communities Achievement - Caradon District Council
Promoting Active Communities Achievement - Caradon District Council
Pay and Workforce Achievement – Edinburgh City Council
Best Use of Resources Achievement – London Borough of Camden
Partnering with Health Services – Oxfordshire County Council
Best Workforce Involvement Achievement – Warrington Borough Council
