Council 'Champions' earn their reward

The Mayor of Chesterfield has hosted a civic reception for members of the Borough Council's staff who became "Champions" during 2006.

Chesterfield Borough Council employees representing units which worked on six national award-winning projects were honoured for their success at the reception in the Town Hall.

The Mayor, Cllr Trudi Mulcaster, congratulated them and said: "I felt it only fitting that members of staff who have been responsible for gaining various national awards during 2006 should be gathered together and their success acknowledged."

In July, the newly-restored Queen's Park received Government recognition by gaining the prestigious Green Flag Award. John Ramsey and Sarah Poulton represented the team which nurtured the application and made it blossom.

John represented Leisure Services again to take a bow for the September announcement that the Council was a runner-up in the 'Small City' category of the East Midlands In Bloom competition, receiving a Silver Gilt medal.

In the same month, September, another major "green" prize was won.  In the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice, the Borough Council achieved a Local Authorities Regional Gold award.  Lynda Sharp and Laurie Thomas, Senior Economic Development Officers, received thanks from the Mayor.

Making September THE month for awards to be announced, the Council chalked up a hat-trick when Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre was named runner-up in the 2006 East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards. One of those who attended the presentation ceremony in Nottinghamshire to receive the silver award was Kerry Sheldon, who was joined at the Mayoral reception by her TIC colleagues Bernadette Wainwright, Alyson Barnes, Pat Wheeldon and Anne McFarlane.

In December, the Council's environment-friendly working practices won accreditation under the Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).  The Council is one of only 60 UK organisations - and one of only 15 local authorities nationwide - to have achieved this.  The application was driven by Sustainability officers Charlotte Winnert and Nichola Baker and Quality and Improvement Officer Karen Brown, with Community Services Director Huw Bowen chairing the Working Group.  Charlotte and Huw represented the team to receive the Mayor's thanks.

Housing Services celebrated the success of Project CHRIS (Chesterfield Housing Repairs Information Service) which scooped two major national awards during 2006, as well as seeing its apprentice training scheme win awards from no fewer than three national bodies covering both the public and private sectors of the economy.

Project CHRIS was recognised in the 2006 Association for Public Services Excellence Service Awards as being the best example of efficiency in the country and also collected the top award in the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management's annual awards scheme for the construction and maintenance industry.

Operational Services Division's Dave Poole and Mark Tune represented everyone involved with Project CHRIS in accepting the Mayor's congratulations.

The Mayor said: "May I thank everyone concerned for gaining these awards on behalf of the Council and for the great dedication involved in achieving your respective goals."

Ends

Press release issued: January 5 2007