48 leading local authorities were announced as winners of the 2007 Beacon awards at a high profile ceremony last night, celebrating success and top quality services in local government.
The winning authorities will receive a share of £3m of government funding to enhance their work in sharing best practice and drive forward further innovation across local government to improve publis services.
Local Government Minister Angela Smith said:
"I would like to congratulate all the authorities that have been awarded Beacon status this year. You really are our local champions who have demonstrated service excellence, innovation and determination to share your expertise and act as a catalyst for improvements in other authorities too.
"The real prize of the Beacon scheme is the improvements to public services that everyone relies on day-by-day.
"Whilst not all of the authorities will be awarded beacon status, being short-listed indicates that they are some of the best in their field, and this year's short-listed authorities can also be justifiably proud. This year we have a comprehensive group of Beacons that I hope will be proud to share their knowledge and excellence across the country across a wide range of public services."
The Beacon scheme recognises excellence and innovation in local government and is funded by Communities and Local Government and run by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). Each year, ministers set ten themes relevant to issues faced by authorities every day.
To view the full list of this years Beacon authorities please go to http://www.communities.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1508908
Notes to Edtiors
1. This year, the scheme has been sponsored by organisations such as: EDF Energy, Energy Saving Trust, World Wildlife Fund and Atkins Highways & Transportation. Ministers also announced the themes for round 9 and application process today. A list of the round nine themes is available on http://www.beacons.idea.gov.uk
2. A list of the short listed authorities is available here http://www.beacons.idea.gov.uk
3. The Government established the Beacon Scheme in 1999 to identify excellence in local government and enable best practice to be shared with others. Ten themes are selected for the scheme each year. The themes against which Round 8 awards were made are as follows: The 2007 themes were:
Delivering Cleaner Air
These authorities show evidence that statutory local air quality management duties are being fully delivered and appropriate links are made in meeting statutory duties under Local Air Pollution Prevention Control, Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention Control, enforcement of the Clean Air Act 1993, and dealing with statutory nuisances under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have tackled air pollution and/or promote air quality beyond statutory LAQM duties. Their air quality activities have had a positive impact on local citizens and the local environment.
Electoral Services
These authorities show a discernable difference to the quality, diversity and scope of the electoral services that they deliver to the community. Their electoral services are more effective, efficient and accessible. They have systems in place to encourage sections of the community that have previously not been engaged, to get involved in the democratic process at and between elections. These systems encourage members of these groups to register to vote and to take part in elections. These councils also show well-directed and responsive public engagement opportunities which address local needs and concerns. They have systems to facilitate the compilation of a more accurate and comprehensive Register of Electors. They have improved voter confidence and satisfaction levels by taking steps to ensure that electoral fraud is mitigated.
Emergency planning
These authorities have robust risk assessment processes in place, which are used to inform priority setting and resource allocation. Risk assessment work is shared with and between partners to maximise the use of relevant expertise and minimise duplication between agencies. There is evidence of demonstrable progress in building the capabilities required to deal effectively with assessed risks. These authorities also demonstrate systematic, comprehensive and sustainable business continuity management arrangements, which will ensure that they can continue to deliver their critical functions in the event of an emergency. They all have a proven track record of dealing effectively with emergencies and business continuity management challenges.
Healthy Schools
These authorities' healthy schools programmes have helped at least 70 per cent of their schools to reach healthy school status by the end of 2006. These schools have made a perceptible difference to the lifestyles of its pupils, achievement levels, social inclusion and a reduction in health inequalities amongst young people.
Increasing Voluntary and Community Sector Service Delivery These authorities show a shared vision for the locality, which is clear in their Community Strategies. These authorities have a creative and professional approach to working with the VCS and the VCS have actively influenced decisions on priorities. There is also strong evidence that increased voluntary sector delivery has led to improved services.
Neighbourhood & Community Champions: the role of elected members. The Beacons have gone beyond demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm for their councillors as community champions, they are empowering and supporting their councillors and providing robust training to build on and develop the skills councillors need to take up the challenges they face. Clear, shared visions have been created and the role of councillors as community advocates is deeply embedded into each authority's relationship with their citizens and into neighbourhood working.
Preventing and Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
These authorities show a significant reduction in people's perceptions of antisocial behaviour (ASB) in their area as well as high levels of satisfaction with the outcome of individual ASB reports and the reporting of ASB. There is a high level of community confidence in the ability of the authority to prevent and tackle ASB and eliminate its reoccurrence. The authorities have used a full range of tools and powers to tackle ASB and these initiatives have been instrumental in positively changing peoples' behaviour. These authorities have programmes of diversionary activities, which has resulted in a high percentage of actual and potential perpetrators of ASB having a more positive and respectful relationship with the rest of the community.
Promoting Financial Inclusion and Tackling Indebtedness
These authorities have shown a measurable increase in the number of individuals with access to appropriate banking, affordable credit and free face-to-face money advice amongst groups most likely to suffer from financial exclusion. They have minimised the number of consumers who become over-indebted, with reference to the measures used in 'Over-indebtedness in Britain: A DTI report on the MORI Financial Services Survey 2004'. They also show a measurable improvement in the support and process for those who have already fallen into debt, including those experiencing financial exclusion.
Promoting Sustainable Communities Through the Planning Process
These authorities are ensuring that people have a say in how their community is run. There is improved access to affordable housing, jobs and local amenities and new developments are building more mixed communities. Quality of life is improving in a way that safeguards the environment for future generations and has regard to wider regional impacts. There are good transport links to help people get to their jobs. These authorities have successfully negotiated appropriate contributions from and amendments to schemes to reflect community needs and concerns. Development is facilitated by planning and takes place with regularly reviewed plan policies.
School Improvement
These authorities have demonstrated that the schools in their area are making a significant contribution to improving the outcomes of every child and are providing the support to enable them to achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes. They show clear evidence of rising standards of attainment n their schools, with strong progress made by children of all abilities and backgrounds. They also have a history of preventing schools from falling into Ofsted intervention categories and in turning around those that do swiftly and effectively. These authorities provide schools with access to current attainment data and support to use the data effectively.
4. In this, the eighth round of the scheme, 41 Beacon awards have been given to 48 authorities, from an original pool of 174 applications involving 179 authorities.
5. £3m has been allocated for the active promotion of all the good practice identified during this round. This will cover traditional dissemination activities including learning events and open days.
6. Beacon status is awarded to authorities representing the diversity of local government - urban and rural, unitary and two-tier, and from different parts of the country. The scheme is relevant to all kinds of authorities, including fire, transport and police authroities.