Greenwich crowned Council of the Year

The London borough of Greenwich has rounded off a highly successful year by clinching the hotly-contested Council of the Year award, in recognition of a number of improvements the local authority has made to the area.

Judges were quick to praise council members for brave decision-making and excellent planning against a backdrop of severe cuts in the face of the most devastating recession in living memory.

However, despite the difficulties, it was acknowledged that Greenwich had done a fantastic job in hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, while at the same time driving improvements in education and employment.

Achievement in Key Stage Two English and mathematics in the borough ranked fourth in the country following a £9 million investment fund into schools, while four thousand people have been supported back into jobs.

Beyond these key points, the local authority was also keen to highlight a freeze in council tax for the fifth year running, a dramatic fall in crime and innovative arrangements that will see the quality of front-line services secure for many years to come.

Representatives of the district were understandably delighted with the accolade, with acting local government chronicle (LGC) editor Nick Golding indicating his pleasure that the council's hard work has been acknowledged.

Councillor Chris Roberts, leader of the Royal borough of Greenwich, also said: "I am delighted that our work, especially throughout the challenges of 2012, has been recognised in this way.

"We have been solely driven by the desire to raise prospects and the quality of life for our residents, to create opportunities and to continue to push forward the fortunes of the Royal borough of Greenwich to make it an even better place to live, work, visit and enjoy."

Last year also saw the borough become the first London district in 80 years to attain the Royal Borough status, which went some way to keeping the area on the global stage.

Councillors now look to matching 2012 with an equally-successful 2013.

Published 25th March, 2013

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