FENLAND District Council has been recognised in more than 21 awards in the past 12 months, and the council s annual Staff Awards ceremony was an opportunity for outstanding officers to be nominated by their peers for special recognition. The second annual

FENLAND District Council has been recognised in more than 21 awards in the past 12 months, and the council's annual Staff Awards ceremony was an opportunity for outstanding officers to be nominated by their peers for special recognition.

The second annual staff awards event, at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel, March, last Thursday, was a clear demonstration of the 'one team' approach to delivering services to the people of Fenland, with six individual or team winners nominated by their colleagues for making massive contributions to improving quality and efficiency across a wide range of services.

Andy Perrin, the council's Audit Commission relationship manager, presented the Going the Extra Mile Award to John King, a refuse collector who is so supportive of his colleagues that he has, on occasion helped relieve crews to empty bins - while on annual leave.

Brian Asplin, editor of the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard, presented the Manager of the Year Award to Sam Anthony, who was nominated for her enthusiasm and commitment as an HR manager.

In presenting the award, Mr Asplin praised the improvements made to council services over the past year and highlighted the many national awards picked up by the council along the way.

Jan Parkinson, managing director of the national Local Government Employers Organisation, presented the Employee of the Year Award to Carol Pilson, whose enthusiasm and energy as a member of the policy and communications team has won her universal respect.

Ms Parkinson also presented the Team of the Year Award to the council's delivery team, responsible for council tax, and processing benefits claims. The team consistently demonstrated a zealous commitment to improving performance in every sphere.

Ms Parkinson summed up her thoughts when she said: "What a great place and what an excellent council."

Dennis Skinner, regional director for the IDeA, presented the Meeting the Challenge Award to the development services team for consistently being high performers at a time of structural change.

The Chief Executive's Award for outstanding performance went to Jo Hart, whose upbeat, infectious and positive attitude has persuaded her colleagues to give up more than 500 hours of their own time to community projects under the Street Pride banner.