Council shortlisted for two awards
Hull City Council has been shortlisted in two categories for the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards, which recognise the success and achievements of the best in local government.
Six-hundred entries were made by local authorities across the country for the awards which cover 18 categories. Hull City council is shortlisted for the 'Most improved council of the year' and 'Place of the year' awards.
For the most improved council of the year category, Hull showed how it has overcome challenges and improved services and people's perceptions.
Some of our achievements include:
* a reduction in crime, litter, fly posting and graffiti
* improved GCSE results
* improvements to recycling rates
* innovations in social care for older people to help independent living
* improvements highlighted in the Place Survey and the council's own People's Panel
* external recognition of improvements and for excellent and innovative services through regional and national awards.
The judging panel responsible for the shortlisting said both categories had seen a huge number of entries this year, so to be shortlised was "a fantastic achievement".
Councillor Carl Minns, leader of Hull City Council, said: "I'm pleased that we have been shortlisted for two awards. Improvements have been made across the council to ensure our residents receive the high quality services they deserve.
"In addition, we have a clear vision to help people and businesses flourish by providing training, employment and business opportunities to minimise the impact of the recession on Hull.
"To be shortlisted by the LGC for these awards is recognition of the work that has been done by the council and our partners to give people positive hope for the future.
"We hope for further good news at the ceremony in March."
For the place of the year category Hull demonstrated that it is working to benefit communities to provide a better and more positive future.
The initiatives which aim help people and businesses include:
* The Grow programme
* The Hull Deal
* The Acorn Fund
* Hull Skills Fund
* Information and advice events
* Social Clauses Policy
* The Economic Pledge
* Signing up to the Federation of Small Business Accord
* Rent freeze for small firms
* Spending around 46 per cent of its external expenditure with businesses within the Hull boundary compared with 26 per cent nationally.
The next stage in the process will be visits by the judging panel in January. The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday 24 March 2010.
