The County Council is a finalist in the ‘top team leadership’ award and will find out at the end of June if it has won the title. The authority has also been commended in the ‘community leadership’ and ‘working with the voluntary and community sector’ categories.
The MJ selection for top team says that East Sussex has ‘been transformed by a strong and committed political and managerial leadership which is delivering strong services’. The MJ also says that ‘both leader and chief executive recognise that effective leadership requires a close working relationship on internal matters as well as a joint approach to raising the county’s profile and influence and have implemented this’.
Council Leader Peter Jones says the MJ awards are another example of the way the County Council is moving forward. "It’s an achievement in itself just to be on the lists for these national awards and I’m delighted that East Sussex appears more than any other County Council. Independent auditors have confirmed that the Council is providing East Sussex residents with good services which are improving. This is being achieved by strong leadership, effective top management and an excellent workforce.”
The commendation in the ‘community leadership’ category follows the Council’s highly successful speed management strategy, the central theme of which is to work in partnership with local communities to create a safer road environment.
The County Council has also been commended in the ‘working with the voluntary and community sector’ category. The MJ has recognised East Sussex for work, which is being carried out jointly with East Sussex Age Concern to encourage more older people to take-up the benefits to which they are entitled. In the first 15 months of the scheme, benefits claimed exceeded £1.1m. Over 1,300 older people have been helped under this initiative with many more set to follow.
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