Staff at Sandwell Council are celebrating after the authority was shortlisted and commended in more categories of a national awards scheme than any other Council.

The Municipal Journal has unveiled the finalists for its 2019 Achievement Awards. Sandwell Council is in the running for four categories and has been commended for its submissions in three further categories.

Chief Executive Jan Britton said he was delighted with news of the nominations as they recognised some of the excellent work being done across the council. He said:

“Our staff should feel immensely proud. Just to be shortlisted and commended in so many categories is an achievement in itself. The wide range of work we have been shortlisted and commended for demonstrates some of the excellent work we carry out on a daily basis.

“All too often good work goes unsung, so I’m pleased for our staff that the MJ Achievement Awards recognise some of their impactful work.”

Sandwell Council has been nominated in the following four categories of the MJ Achievement Awards;

• Best Council Services Team – Hospital2Home – How Sandwell Council is helping discharge people from hospital as soon as they’re well enough
• Transforming Lives – Blue Light Project – A scheme focused on tackling alcohol addiction
• Innovation in Children’s Services – Steps Centre – A life-changing scheme Sandwell Council runs for families arriving in the UK from abroad
• Best Social Housing – Oxford Road – A project providing much-needed homes for people with health and care issues.

The council was also commended for submissions in the following three categories;

• Transforming Lives – Clickwise project – promoting online safety and warning about the dangers of Child Sexual Exploitation
• Property & Asset Management - Tackling unauthorised encampments – How Sandwell is leading the way when it comes to tackling unauthorised encampments
• Innovation in Children’s Services – The Shape Project – How Sandwell Council is working with young people to shape the future of the borough.

The winners of the 2019 MJ Achievement Awards will be announced on June 26th.