Ref: PR2013
Date: 19/11/08

Wakefield Council was recognised at the prestigious Making a Difference Awards for delivering high quality services in the district last night.

It was a finalist in five categories including the Best Authority category in the awards organised by Local Government Yorkshire and Humber.

And Council Leader Peter Box was presented with a special award in recognition of his commitment to partnership working in the region.

The Council's Events, Arts and Tourism team gained third place for outstanding contribution and the organisation's Worksmart project was third in the Better Connected category.

The Hotspots project was also recognised with third place in the Improving Lives category.

Council Leader Cllr Peter Box said: "We are determined to continue improving our services for citizens and being a finalist for this award is a real credit to the strength of the work we are doing in the district. Getting this far is a big achievement and I have high hopes that we will be even more successful in the years to come."

Chief Executive Joanne Roney said: "Being short listed for the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber awards offers external recognition of the high quality of the Council's work and further supports our commitment to making Wakefield district a better and more prosperous place for all to enjoy. The hard work and dedication to quality of our employees is an inspiration across the region."

The Regional Awards celebrate the difference that local government, fire and police authorities across Yorkshire and Humber have made and provide an opportunity to highlight the success stories and the excellent work taking place.

Wakefield Council also found out this week that it had been short listed in the national Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal (LGC and HSJ) Sustainable Communities awards for its efforts towards sustainable procurement.

The organisers received a huge number of entries this year and saw a large growth from last year's final number so to be short listed is a huge achievement.

The award ceremony is on Thursday 5 February 2009.

ENDS