ROCHDALE PARTNERS WIN NATIONAL AWARD 

Wednesday, 30th June 2010

Rochdale Borough Council and their partners Link4Life and the Impact Partnership have been named the best local government partnership in the UK after winning a prestigious national award.

Despite strong competition, 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 this year which concluded that ‘local people are benefiting from the contribution of the strategic partners.

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 to provide strategic partnerships with the council to drive forward improvements in local public service.

Impact Partnership was established in 2006 as a joint venture between the council, Mouchel and Agilisys, providing highways, property and customer and business services. Link4Life was set up in 2007, to develop new and improved arts, entertainment, sports and fitness facilities across the borough. Together the Impact Partnership and Link4Life have so far created over 300 new jobs and will create over £27.4m of efficiencies over their lifetimes.

The award was presented in London by politician and broadcaster Michael Portillo. The London Borough of Merton was highly commended, and the other finalists for the award were Breckland District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Leicester City Council and npower, and the London Borough of Croyden.

For further information:

Louise Kerrigan
Agilisys
louise.kerrigan@agilisys.co.uk
0780-929-4857

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