The best and the brightest 15 local authorities have won top awards for their performance.
More than 900 people packed London's Hilton Hotel in Park Lane last week for The MJ Achievement Awards 2007, which recognised the outstanding work of 15 authorities. There were 91 finalist councils, and 86
commended.
The event, hosted by BBC TV's political presenter, Andrew Marr, saw northern metropolitan council Tameside MBC win the coveted award as overall The MJ Best Achieving Council of the Year. The council already has a four-star rating in the CPA.
Incoming communities and local government secretary, Hazel Blears, who was appointed only hours before the gala, made a special guest appearance at the reception, where she met guests and welcomed the awards.
Another ministerial guest, Phil Woolas – who had yet to hear of his move to become environment minister – paid tribute to former chairman of the LGA, Lord Bruce-Lockhart, who was also present. ‘What you have been able to do is build a consensus on the way forward, not just with the councils but with the Government too. You've done a brilliant job,' he said.
‘We have now got a devolutionary agenda in this country.
‘Changing the relationship between local and central government is a marathon, not a sprint,' he added.
Mr Marr paid tribute to the work of local authorities. ‘The council where I live delivers excellent services, isn't corrupt and does the best for the community it serves. Where do I live? It doesn't matter – it could be anywhere.'
Michael Burton, editor of The MJ, said: ‘We had a record response this year and it is a fantastic achievement by Tameside, which has been either a ‘good', ‘excellent' or four-star CPA council ever since the CPA was invented. Congratulations as well to the other 14 winners.'