A pioneering legal advisor and an environmentally-aware transport manager - both Islington Council employees - are in the running for a national staff excellence award.
Uma Mehta and Chris Rutherford have got to the final round of the Local Government Council Worker of the Year Awards 2009 - the public service 'Oscars'.
The scheme was set up to recognise exceptional employees whose passion, energy and initiative goes beyond their day-to-day job.
Both Uma and Chris have been nominated because they have gone the extra mile to help make Islington a better place in which to live and work.
Islington Council's Chief Executive John Foster said:
"The council is the biggest employer in the borough and our 250-plus services touch the lives of every one of our residents each day.
"These awards acknowledge those staff who have excelled in their service to Islington and in doing so helped us establish a strong bond between the council and our residents, making this borough the special place it is."
The honours are decided by national voting nominations which opened on 4 May and close on 18 June.
Chief Community Lawyer Uma Mehta is the council's legal expert whose experience is often called upon by other authorities looking to strengthen their child protection procedures. Her nomination in the Innovation Award category is for those whose outstanding innovative ability has benefitted the council and the community.
When the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) introduced the Public Law Outline (PLO), the new case management system that has revolutionised childcare cases, Uma Mehta played a national role as the lead local authority lawyer. She drafted key parts of the statutory guidance and facilitated training across the country, winning widespread praise from the DfES, judges and top civil servants.
As a result of the successful adoption of these new procedures, Islington is cited nationally as one of top three social services authorities in the country. The authority now takes on a number of childcare cases from other boroughs - creating an invaluable resource. Her internal training of colleagues is also saving council taxpayers thousands of pounds in barristers' fees.
Uma said: "I’m very happy to be nominated – it's great to have Islington’s work publicly acknowledged."
"We've speeded up the process of getting child abuse cases into court and that benefits a larger number of vulnerable children."
Islington's Fleet and Depot Manager Chris Rutherford is the man who has created London's greenest vehicle fleet, saving 200 tonnes of CO2 and over £200,000 of council taxpayers' money. The 400-strong fleet of buses, bin lorries, cars and vans runs on a mixture of electricity, bio-diesel and plant oil.
His nomination for the Green Award recognises an individual who has developed a green initiative in their local area that has had a beneficial impact on the environment. Greener travel is a key part of Islington's goal to become the greenest borough in the capital.
In 2008, Islington bagged top spot at the 'European Public Sector Fleet of the Year' awards and Chris earned the title of European Fleet Manager of the Year.
Chris said: "I’ve been with the council for nearly five years and have spent the vast majority of that time working to make Islington’s the greenest fleet in the UK."
"The next plan is to install low carbon and electric vans all throughout the borough, which will save a huge amount of money and Co2."
For more information and for details on how to vote, go to: http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards/
To vote for Uma and/or Chris, click on 'Innovation Award 2009' and 'Green Award 2009' on the right hand side.
Completed voting forms must be returned by 18 June 2009.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Local Government Channel Contact:
Rochelle Seekup
WebsEdge
t: +44 (0)207 612 1830
rochelle@websedge.com
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009