At an awards ceremony that recognising local authorities and individuals in local government, Rotherham Council has been named the most improved council in the country.
The council has made a marked improvement of the last few years and scooped up the award at a prestigious ceremony in London last week, where they were represented by staff members that had won their own Big Hearts Changes Employee Awards, an internal award celebrating the achievements of the council’s employees.
The judges of the award unanimously agreed that “from a rock bottom position it is possible to rebuild the trust of the community through understanding, courage, and openness.”
Leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read, said:
“This recognition from the wider local government community is testimony to all the work that’s been undertaken by our staff, councillors, and partners. I am delighted for them.
“We’ve come a long way over the last eight years, under and unprecedented level of scrutiny and against a declining level of resource, and it is their commitment and dedication to our community that has driven the improvements we’ve seen and will continue to see in the future.”
Sharon Kemp, Chief Executive of the council, added:
“It is pleasing that the fundamental changes and significant improvements that the council has made have been recognised by our peers. This will inspire all of us to keep driving improvements for the communities we serve.”
Other awards available recognised achievements in environmental services, diversity and inclusion, and children’s services. Manchester City Council also won Council of the Year.
