Council wins award

Rochdale Borough Council and their partners Link4Life and the Impact Partnership have been named the best local government partnership in the UK

Rochdale Borough Council and their partners Link4Life and the Impact Partnership have been named the best local government partnership in the UK.

The trio were named as ‘Public Private Partnership achievement of the year', last week in London, at one of the top annual awards presented by local government magazine 'The MJ’ (Municipal Journal).

The award follows a positive independent review by the Audit Commission.

Council Executive Director Pam Smith said: “We are thrilled to be recognised and collect this award on behalf of all the staff who have helped make it happen. Despite a challenging social and economic climate this strong partnership has helped us to achieve better outcomes for our residents, whilst securing investment and new jobs for local people. We know there is a great deal more to do, but this award is a sign that we are succeeding.”

Chris Lavery, Managing Director of the Impact Partnership, said: “This has really been a fantastic team effort and it was an honour to accept the award. I knew we were a strong contender, but to win, considering the skill and expertise we were competing against is very pleasing, and a credit to all those involved.

Craig McAteer, Managing Director of Link4Life, added: “This award recognises how partners, working together, have used their resources and expertise to bring huge benefits to customers of council services. Clearly our regeneration and leisure projects are some of the best to be found anywhere in the UK.”

Link4Life and Impact were set up a number of years ago to provide strategic partnerships with the council to drive forward improvements in local public services.