THE coveted Investors in People (IiP) award has been presented to leader Councillor Geoffrey Harper. The award, presented by IiP assessor Caroline Wormleighton, cements the council s position as a national leader among local authorities when it comes to i

THE coveted Investors in People (IiP) award has been presented to leader Councillor Geoffrey Harper.

The award, presented by IiP assessor Caroline Wormleighton, cements the council's position as a national leader among local authorities when it comes to investing in people.

Fenland is one of only a handful of local authorities in the country to have been comprehensively assessed under the new, tougher IiP standards.

Many organisations achieve IiP accreditation for just a part of their operation. Fenland has achieved that status across all sectors of the council

At the announcement of the Council's success, assessor Caroline Wormleighton, who has considerable experience both in the private and public sector, was full of praise for the authority, which she said was at the leading edge of investing in people and was one of the best organisations she had ever encountered.

In her report, put before full council this week, she said: "There had clearly been dramatic cultural and structural changes since the council's last review in 2003."

Her report also acknowledged that the council had a far more open and accessible culture for both customers and employees and that this had led to impressive achievements and local, regional and national recognition in various service areas.

The report highlighted as evidence of major improvements, the Quest accreditation for leisure centres, the Charter Mark for customer access and the 94 per cent satisfaction rates in the four Fenland @ Your Service Shops.

In addition, the report praised the council's success in a range of awards, including being runners-up in the East of England Regional Assembly's Regional Workforce Development awards, Anglia in Bloom best gardens in the eastern region award, Beacon status for waste collection and recycling, the Council's Street Pride initiative as finalists in The Guardian awards and the authority is currently shortlisted for a British Urban Regeneration (BURA) award.

The assessor praised the Council's corporate strategy, open culture, approach to equalities and strong approach to internal communications.

Following interviews with around 70 staff and observing a management development session and team meeting, the assessor concluded that:

- Staff felt valued, empowered and had a voice.

- There was a clear commitment to staff development and equal opportunity.

- The corporate management team was more approachable than in past years.

- After initial scepticism, the staff awards process was an outstanding success.

Leader of the Council, Geoffrey Harper, said: "I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the council. The award confirms what we already know to be the case, that staff feel valued and as a result, there is positive buzz as staff respond by giving of their best.