Council misses out on most improved award

OLDHAM Council narrowly missed out on a top award at the local government equivalent of the Oscars.

The local authority was highly commended in the Most Improved Council of the Year category at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2011.

The prestigious awards showcase the work of councils who can demonstrate real improvements for the benefit of residents.

Oldham Council was up against seven other shortlisted authorities for the coveted accolade at last night’s awards ceremony in London.

North East Derbyshire District Council won the top prize. Also shortlisted were Lincolnshire, Surrey, Harrow, the London Development Agency, Cornwall and Torridge. Only Oldham and Torridge were highly commended by the judges.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “While we did not win the award this was still a very proud night for Oldham Council.

“It is humbling to get national recognition from our peers that we are making clear improvements and, crucially, that these are also making a real difference to the lives of our residents.”

A team of LGC judges visited the borough in January to assess Oldham’s entry.

The submission highlighted a number of important improvements made between October, 2009, and September, 2010, which included the Go Oldham programme of events for youngsters during school holidays, the town’s outstanding fostering service and the Lifelong Learning service which was ranked as England’s best.

Recycling rates have more than doubled over the past 18 months and the number of homeless people has dropped by 90 per cent over the last five years.

Councillor Sykes added: “We were delighted just to have been shortlisted because that demonstrates the huge steps forward that we have made in recent times.

“I would like to thank all council staff, and our partners, who have contributed to the many positive improvements we were able to show the judges.

“With or without an LGC award, we fully recognise that what matters most is what our public think — and there will be no resting on our laurels in that respect.

“Further success demands action and we remain fully focused on continuing our improvement.”