Best Local Authority in the UK say judges
Ealing Council has won a top local government award -The MJ Best Achieving Council of the Year.
At a gala evening attended by almost 1,000 people in London’s Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, judges from The MJ (The Municipal Journal for local authority business) said the council had ‘displayed consistent and real improvement coupled with a constant ear to its public's concerns’.
Introducing the awards, the communities secretary John Denham said: ''I was a councillor for 12 years. I believe in local government and I believe that it can respond to local communities in way that central government can't.''
Ealing Council Leader, Jason Stacey said, ''Recognition as the best council in the country is a tremendous achievement. After setting a zero per cent council tax rise this year it demonstrates Ealing is providing excellent services and real value for money for our residents.''
Ealing Council’s Chief Executive, Darra Singh, said: ''With the council having also secured the top 4 Stars and Improving Strongly rating from the Audit Commission earlier this year, and our success in a variety of other awards, we are now unquestionably leading the way for local government.''
Michael Burton, editor of The MJ, added: ''We had a great response this year and it is a fantastic achievement by Ealing and all the other councils that either won or were shortlisted for an award.''
June 30, 2009
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