National recognition for hard-working council team

25 November 2021

A North Northamptonshire Council team has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Performance Network Awards.

The Corby and Kettering shared services team have made the finals as best performers for Refuse Collection as well as in the Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services category.

The APSE awards are based on performance data, which is assessed against a complex range of performance indicators, including cost, quality, workforce development and value-for-money. The data is independently verified for accuracy and integrity following an initial assessment.

The awards are designed to recognise frontline services, delivered to local communities, by local councils. The results will be announced on 2 December at a virtual ceremony.

Nomination is recognition in itself and I am delighted for our team that we have again been nominated for an award. The team has worked extremely hard to deliver a high-quality service to the residents within the Corby and Kettering area.

This a first for the team with regard to grounds maintenance and with the new unitary authority formalised in April 2021, this is a great start to for things to come.Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

I’m delighted that our hard-working staff have received this national recognition for delivering excellent services for our residents. We are committed to keep improving our services and accolades such as this play an important role in ensuring the proper recognition is received for the team.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

The awards show the commitment of the team to continually improve service and performance levels. Over the past 11 years the refuse team has been identified as a finalist for best performer 10 years running with four of those years also recognised as a most improved performer finalist.

The refuse team have also been winners of the Best Performer category five times, with four of them awarded in the last four consecutive years.