Excellence Wales is the first ever national awards for Wales’ councils and the 3rd March saw the inaugural awards evening in Cardiff Bay.
Recognising good practice across the range of services councils provide, it aims partly to reward, partly to inspire, but fundamentally to share learning and improve public services across all councils. Together, through improving councils’ overall standards they can themselves fight against what the public might complain is a “postcode lottery.”
The awards will boost morale and provide motivation to others. Excellence Wales will help to challenge poor stereotypes, challenge complacency and inspire employees and councillors to continue to improve. Above all, Excellence Wales is all about sharing good practice and learning.
Sue Essex, Minister of Finance, Local Government and Public Services:
"The Assembly Government, through Making the Connections, is driving the reform of the public services. We aim to ensure that the communities of Wales receive 'joined up' and high quality services, and that the providers of those services keep costs to a minimum through efficient working practices and procurement. In times of change it is important that we do not lose sight of what is already good. Our public services are rich in quality and innovation, and employ many thousands of people who are committed to the highest standards of public service. Excellence Wales is a long overdue scheme for public servants to share and celebrate their good practice. The Welsh Assembly Government is proud to support this initiative."
Cllr Derek Vaughan (Neath Port Talbot) Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association:
"Local government is sometimes criticised for performance which lags behind the standards of the private sector. Local authorities in Wales provide a range of complex and challenging services from personal care of the vulnerable to the regulation of environmental health. Despite the challenges we face the local government sector has much leading practice and high achievement of which to be proud. It is our desire that the leading practice in one part of Wales should become the norm for the whole of Wales. In my experience the most successful organisations are those who are keen to learn from others and are not frightened to innovate, and for whom improvement comes from within. Excellence Wales has the twin aims of promoting peer learning and the commendation of leading practice to reward and encourage innovation. By working together we will improve further our public services in Wales."
For more information contact: Clover Rodrigues