Surrey takes top title in national competition without entering for it (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Surrey takes top title in national competition without entering for it

2:15pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Local News

Surrey County Council has been crowned local authority of the year – without even entering the national competition.

The council scooped the top honour at the fourth annual Improvement and Efficiency Awards for its programme of Public Value Reviews (PVR), having entered another category entirely.

Surrey originally submitted an entry in the 'delivering through efficiency' category of the ten-category national competition run by Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE).

But judges were so impressed with Surrey's PVR, they short-listed the council for the over-all award, and it won.

Surrey's PVR programme has unearthed nearly £280 million of savings and improved services.

The IESE stated the top award “recognises the council deemed outstanding in terms of improving its performance and/or increased efficiency over the previous year.”

As well as the gold award for national council of the year, Surrey’s adult social care service won a silver award for supporting older and vulnerable people through working closely with boroughs and districts.

The annual awards ceremony was held in Westminster last week.

Surrey County Council leader David Hodge said: “It is fantastic to say that we have been recognised as the best council and shows that by working together we are stronger and much better placed to provide first-class, efficient services to local people.”

The PVR programme to ensure residents receive the best possible services and maximum value for money ended with total savings of £279 million being uncovered by 2016. The reviews looked at all council services over three years.

The IESE is a not-for-profit social enterprise that helps public bodies throughout the UK deliver improved services at lower cost. Website: www.iese.gov.uk