24 November 2008, 08/270
West Lancs Council shortlisted for top award
West Lancashire District Council is in the
running to be named “Council of the Year” – the main ‘Oscar’ award
of the local government world.
West Lancs is one of six local authorities in
the shortlist for the annual award organised by the Local
Government Chronicle. Other councils in the running are Camden,
Fenland, Gateshead, Leicestershire and Tower Hamlets.
The selection for the shortlist follows West
Lancashire’s achievement of “Excellent” status last year and
recognises the Council’s success in improving services for local
people while achieving value for money.
Cllr Ian Grant, Leader of the Council,
said:“The annual ‘Council of the Year’ award is the top prize in
the local government world and for a small council like West Lancs
to be shortlisted is a massive
achievement in itself.
“Over the last few years West Lancs has risen
to be recognised as one of the best councils in the country. We
achieved official recognition of ‘excellent’ status by the Audit
Commission in 2007 and since then we have continued to put effort
into improving frontline services that give real, tangible benefits
for residents.
“We face a number of challenges in the year
ahead, particularly because of financial pressures. I can assure
residents that, whatever the outcome of this competition, we shall
continue to focus on making sure that we provide the best possible
services that meet local people’s needs and expectations.
“Let me put credit where it is due – to my
fellow councillors, to our talented management team, and most of
all to the hardworking West Lancs Council staff who do a terrific
job on a 24/7 basis.”
Some of the achievements that have contributed
to winning a place on the shortlist are:
- Improving recycling rates to around 50%
- Huge investment to improve Burscough and
Ormskirk town centres
- Massive commitment to community safety and
success in working with partners to cut crime in West Lancs and
make people feel safer
- Creation of over 2,000 jobs in the last three
years
- Winning “Front Line Service Team of the Year”
in the National Customer Service Awards 2007
- Making £1.1 million of efficiency savings by
reviewing and streamlining services to give value for money
As part of the assessment for the award, two
judges from the Local Government Chronicle will visit West Lancs to
see for themselves the quality of services provided by the Council.
The winner of the ‘Council of the Year’ award will be announced in
March 2009.
Related information