Council employees recognised for excellent service

South Gloucestershire Council's 'team of the year' award winners for 2013.

Staff who helped residents enjoy the Olympic Torch pass safely through the streets of South Gloucestershire have been named ‘team of the year’ at South Gloucestershire Council.

Their work was commended during the council’s annual Pride Awards on Monday (17th June), designed to acknowledge the hard work of council staff in providing excellent services to residents.

Chief Executive Amanda Deeks presented the team of the year award to a range of representatives* who all worked together to make the two-day Olympic Torch event last May so memorable. She said:

“This team demonstrated a truly one-council approach to delivering services.”

“On two days in May last year, the Olympic Flame shone a light on South Gloucestershire during its journey towards London 2012. Huge crowds lined the streets through Bitton, Longwell Green, Hanham and Filton to welcome the torchbearers at this fantastic community event which owed its success to the hard work and dedication of staff from across the whole council.”

“The team pulled out all the stops to make sure the event was safe and memorable for an estimated 20,000 residents and visitors that came out to celebrate. Their planning and management of the event, together with our partners, ensured that every single person could be proud of South Gloucestershire as the Olympic torch travelled along the streets.”

A video capturing their roles on the day has been posted on the council’s YouTube channel.

Other winners include Shaun Halford, who received a young employee of the year award. As a newly qualified environmental health officer, who gained a first class honours degree in environmental health last summer, it’s his job to make sure the food we eat out, or at home, is safe to consume.

Neil Howat received an unsung hero award for the work he does in planning enforcement. His customer service excellence has been recognised by councillors who regularly comment on his superb customer skills.

Catherine Harrington, senior marketing officer, picked up a customer care award. Thanks to her expertise, residents know what services are available to them and how to access them.

Martin Burton, community cultural service manager was named manager of the year. Martin was described as an enthusiastic champion of widening access to our culture, leisure and learning services to the people of South Gloucestershire.

Antony Merritt, strategic economic development officer was named employee of the year. Antony has played a key role in supporting economic growth and attracting new jobs and investment across the district.

Other individuals including Antony Evans, Brian Boulton, Chris Manvell, Roger Rathbone and Steph Freeman received long service awards for clocking up 40 years in local government.

Photo: Team of the year, featuring representatives from across the council, including colleagues from Street Care, Highway Maintenance, Transportation Services, Health Improvement, Strategic Economic Development, Emergency Planning, Libraries and Community Cultural Services, Safer & Stronger Communities, Health & Safety, Strategic Communications and more.

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