LGC Awards 2011 Shortlist

Click here to read the full shortlist for the 2011 LGC Awards

Meeting the challenges of a changing world

As local government enters one of the most challenging periods in recent history, it is clear that councils and their staff are working harder than ever to provide the best services for their residents.

The entries to the LGC Awards 2011, in association with the Local Government Group, paint a compelling picture. They reveal vibrant, ambitious and passionate teams and individuals who are innovating and finding new ways of working.

This year we introduced four new categories to reflect the changing environment and highlight the exciting work that councils are doing. The Health and Social Care category recognises the increasingly close relationship between health and local government as councils prepare to take on an important public health role.

As councils look to technology to help them streamline, reorganise and become more efficient, the IT Initiative of the Year category celebrates the best solutions.

Meanwhile, the Low Carbon Council award highlights those achieving their green ambitions. Above all, local government staff are key to achieving against adversity, and our new Workforce award recognises the vital role that they play.

Entries in these and all our other categories were exceptionally high and show the wealth of knowledge, expertise and innovation in the sector. It is more important than ever to share the ideas and best practice that they demonstrate, so LGC will be producing a best practice report after the awards.

Congratulations to all of those who overcame tough competition to win a place on the shortlist. And a special thanks to the Local Government Group and our sponsors and judges, who make the LGC Awards possible. We are delighted to celebrate your achievements and hope to see you at the awards ceremony in March.

Emma Maier, editor, LGC

A time to reflect on our achievements

I am very pleased to introduce this year’s LGC Awards. At this challenging time for local government it is important that we celebrate councils’ achievements so that we can learn from good practice and recognise many of the successes of the past year.

The awards capture the way that councils are striving to improve outcomes for residents through better service delivery in specific areas as well as making sure that our workforce remains motivated. Through a wide range of initiatives and programmes councils are effectively innovating, building partnerships and providing local leadership.

On behalf of LGC, the Local Government Group and all the judging panels I would like to thank all councils that submitted applications. The range and depth of entries continues to grow and this year’s shortlisted councils across all highly competitive categories should be congratulated for reaching this stage.

These awards matter to councils, not only because of the strength of entries but because the awards are determined by highly respected figures who work in and with the sector. I would also like to express gratitude to the colleagues who have given their time as judges.

I look forward to seeing many of you at what already looks like being a very exciting evening.

Rob Whiteman, managing director, Local Government Improvement & Development

Click here to read the full shortlist for the 2011 LGC Awards