Shortlisted! Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council up for six public service awards

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has been shortlisted for six awards in the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards.

The APSE awards recognise the very best in local government frontline services, with councils throughout the UK recognised for their achievements in delivering excellence. 

This year the awards have attracted nearly 300 submissions with over 200 organisations taking part from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of the Council, said: "The Council's teams aim to provide excellent front-line services. Being shortlisted for six individual APSE service awards is a huge achievement and welcome recognition of our ambition to provide first class services and opportunities to our residents, businesses and visitors."

Mike Greene, Chief Executive of the Council, said: "I'm extremely proud of all the team. Our dedicated colleagues work tirelessly to provide high quality services in very challenging times. The breath of the awards from across a wide range of front-line services shows their passion and commitment.  I'm really pleased that their contribution has not gone unnoticed and is being recognised as being innovative and of the highest standard."

The six service award categories that Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has been shortlisted for are as follows:

Best Collaborative Working initiative - Stockton-on-Tees Tree Programme

This exciting initiative, involving national and local partners, has seen over 20,000 trees planted across the Borough between November 2021 and March 2023. 1,040 volunteers have contributed 2,300 hours to the programme, creating woodlands, and planting trees and fruit trees in green spaces, parks and school grounds.

Frontline Service Team of the Year Housing, Construction and Building Service - Minor adaptations major impact

The Home Improvement Agency (HIA) supports vulnerable people in the community to maintain their independence in the home of their choice through minor adaptations, a handyperson scheme, offering support and advice. Brought back in-house in 2021, it has gone from strength to strength, reducing costs, providing an enhanced service and receiving great feedback from happy customers.

Best Public/Private Partnership Working Initiative - Stockton-on-Tees 'Beat the Street'

Stockton-on-Tees Beat the Street was an exciting online game which saw almost 20,000 people of all ages plus 62 primary schools, SEND schools and 64 community and workplace teams take part. The initiative was funded by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the National Lottery and Sport England, with the game being delivered in close collaboration with Intelligent Health and the councils Sport and Active Life Team. The game encouraged people to exercise to improve their health and wellbeing. This was the largest public health initiative to have been delivered across the Borough, engaging around 10 percent of the population.

Frontline Service Team of the Year - Street Cleansing & Street Scene Service

The Street Cleansing and Street Scene team has been proactive in developing and delivering a new, innovative approach to make sure they can continue to provide first-class service to residents in the context of budgetary challenges faced by local authorities. Using technology such as smart phones to transform their working methods has meant they can continue to provide an excellent cleaning service which is valued and appreciated by residents, businesses and visitors.

Frontline Service Team of the Year - Catering service

The Council's catering service is known for creating bespoke packages to schools as they believe one size does not fit all! They place a huge focus on having well-established working relationships with schools and partners and are praised for specialising in catering for special needs schools. Success for them is shown through increasing meal numbers! This year they have also increased engagement with parents, helped with cost of living challenges, providing ideas for good food on a budget.

Best Community & Neighbourhood initiative - A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees

The cost of living crisis has exacerbated existing disadvantage and vulnerability experienced by residents in need, placing households under pressure. A rapid response required innovative collaboration between the council, Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise sector and partners to deliver direct support which includes Warm Spaces, family activities, food poverty action, upskilling employees, and databank schemes. These initiatives combine to support those most in need.