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Council’s legal team crowned best in UK
25 April 2012
Scarborough Borough Council’s legal team has been crowned the
best legal team in the country when it beat off stiff competition
to win the Legal category at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Awards 2012.
The LGC Awards are viewed by many as the ‘Oscars’ of local
government and aim to recognise the best talent and business
practice within local government, as well as allowing for the
sharing of best practice among participating authorities.
The council’s ten strong team, which has very recently appointed
a new Head of Service following an internal promotion, was one of
eight finalists that competed for this year’s Legal title. The
other seven finalists were: Calderdale Council on behalf of WYLaw,
Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council, Harrow Council, Kent
County Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Public Law
Partnership and West Sussex County Council.
The judges said the council’s entry stood out head and shoulders
above the rest and they particularly congratulated Scarborough’s
ability to develop a fit for purpose team without relying heavily
on external expertise, to become integrated into all council
projects, to give added value to the community and to develop a
robust, commercial strategy, which allowed growth despite revenue
budget reductions.
Lisa Dixon, Scarborough Borough Council’s Head of Legal and
Support Services said:
“I am so proud of the whole team and everything we have achieved
in the last few years to completely transform the way we work and
the services we offer. The fact that this has now culminated in
this national accolade is fantastic and gives even greater weight
to the hard work and determination of my colleagues that rise to
every challenge and strive for excellence in everything that they
do.
“This award is also partly dedicated to our ex Head of Service,
Ian Anderson, whose leadership and guidance contributed greatly to
the team’s success.”
Emma Maier, LGC's editor, talking about the award winners
added:
"It is testament to the spirit, determination and commitment of
local government, and the people who work in it, that despite this
enormously challenging time, you have continued to innovate and
achieve to deliver first class local services."