Partners shortlisted for national award

Rochdale Borough Council and their partners Link4Life and the Impact Partnership have been short listed for a prestigious national award.

The trio are in the running for ‘Public Private Partnership achievement of the year', one of the top annual awards presented by local government magazine 'The MJ’ (Municipal Journal).

Link4Life and Impact were set up by the council to drive forward improvements in local public services. To reach the shortlist, they have already overcome strong competition from other local authorities nationwide.

One of six finalists, they were required to demonstrate how they have used their expertise and resources to bring benefits to residents. The result follows a positive report from the national Audit Commission which concluded that “the councils commercial partnerships are helping to improve service quality reduce costs and bring significant extra investment into the borough.”

Impact Partnership was established in 2006 as a joint venture between the council, Mouchel and Agilisys, providing highways, property and IT services. Since then they have created over 300 new jobs, established an award winning contact centre and supported a range of regeneration projects in the borough whilst providing cost efficiencies to the council of £1.5m. This will equate to £12.5m over the lifetime of the partnership.

Link4Life was set up in 2007, to develop new and improved arts, entertainment, sports and fitness facilities across the borough. This has included the Middleton Arena and the new Heywood Sports Village which opens in September, part of a £33 million programme of investment. Participation in sport and the arts continues to grow, whilst a fall in the cost per visit has delivered greater value for money.

Chief Executive Roger Ellis said: "The partnerships have added strength to our regeneration and transformation plans, securing investment and new jobs for local people that could not have been secured in any other way.”

Leader of the council, Councillor Irene Davidson added: “We are delighted to have made the shortlist. Impact Partnership and Link4Life bring a wealth of knowledge, skill and expertise to the table and the results are already impressive.”

The eventual winner of the award will be announced this summer.