Hounslow LBC has been crowned Council of the Year at a glittering ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary LGC Awards.
This evening’s event also saw all directors of public health and their teams honoured with the Editor’s Special Award in recognition of the vital role they have played in protecting their communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hounslow beat strong competition from fellow finalists Caerphilly CBC, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Salford City Council after undergoing rigorous live judging this afternoon for the headline award category, sponsored by Zurich Municipal.
The judges said: “This council consistently delivers high quality services and shows it is making significant improvements to the lives of its residents. Its compelling narrative has depth and breadth, and the quality of the relationship between chief and leader is strong, as is the collaborative culture between council and community.
“Its work on affordable housing, with numerous different means of intervening in the market, is particularly impressive.”
The black tie event, held at the Grosvenor House in London, marked the first time the awards have been held in person since March 2019, and saw 1,100 people gather to celebrate the very best innovation and endeavour in local government.
Councils from across the country were among the winners in the 22 categories. See the full list of winners below.
LGC editor Nick Golding said that given the magnitude of local government’s work throughout the pandemic, 2021 had been a “truly epic year for the LGC Awards,” with a near record number of entries.
He said: “Year in, year out, you’re innovating. You’re improving services. You’re offering support to those needing it most. However, over the past 20 months you’ve been something else.
“You have protected your communities. You have safeguarded the vulnerable. You have fought for your local economies. And you have outshone central government.
“The case to move powers and resources from the centre to the local has never been stronger. Indeed, it should have been won. It’s time for ministers to open their eyes – and to let go.”
Announcing the Editor’s Special Award for all directors of public health and their teams, Mr Golding said: “They have worked unrelentingly throughout the pandemic; they have had to take decisions no one would relish; they have strived to do what is best for their communities. And they have often overcome intransigence from the centre.”
The awards were sponsored by Zurich Municipal, Agilisys, Attenti, Connected Places Catapult, Odgers Interim, Penna, Repic, TechnologyOne and Local Partnerships.
The winners of the 2021 LGC Awards were:
Council of the Year, sponsored by Zurich Municipal:
Editor’s Special Award: All directors of public health and their teams
Campaign of the Year: Waltham Forest LBC
Children’s Services, sponsored by Attenti Consulting: Durham CC
Climate Response: Bradford City MDC
Community Involvement: Orkney Islands Council
Digital Impact, sponsored by Agilisys: East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Penna: Enfield LBC
Economic Support, sponsored by Odgers Interim: Rochdale BC with Rochdale Development Agency
Environmental Services, sponsored by Repic: Newham LBC with Keep Britain Tidy
Future Places, sponsored by Catapult Connected Places: Hammersmith & Fulham LBC
Health and Social Care, sponsored by Attenti Consulting: Barnet LBC, Camden LBC, Enfield LBC, Haringey LBC and Islington LBC
Housing: Maidstone BC
Innovation, sponsored by the Local Authority Podcast: Lambeth LBC
Outstanding Individual Contribution: Lorraine Currie, Shropshire Council
Partnership (Public Private): Medway Council with Countryside, Hyde and Homes England
Partnership (Public Public): Northumberland CC
Public Health: Sandwell MBC
Rising Star: Nicholas Clinch, Norfolk CC
Team of the Year (Large): Salford City Council
Team of the Year (Small): West London Waste Authority
Technology, sponsored by TechnologyOne: Canterbury City Council
See the full list of shortlisted entries here.
https://www.lgcplus.com/home/hounslow-named-council-of-the-year-at-lgc-awards-2021-05-11-2021/
