05 May 2006
The sponsor
We are delighted and proud that Unison, one of the largest trade unions in Europe, is again sponsoring the overall team award at the Public Servants of the Year Awards 2006.
Our union is built on a principle of collective strength, organising members in our public services - health, local government, the voluntary sector, the police service, education and the utilities. Our members are also consumers of these services, and that means we understand the problems of delivering quality public services, available to all, better than most. Helping disadvantaged groups gain access to those services is essential. Creative solutions and determination to overcome obstacles are a prerequisite, as is a passion for public services generally.
Unison's traditions and aims also recognise and appreciate the efforts of dedicated work groups, and what they can - and do - achieve together, and applauds the recognition given to teams through this award.
Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary
This year's Public Servants of the Year Awards ceremony promises to be one of the most exciting ever.
A record number of entries across all categories – and the innovation of a 'People's Panel' to judge the short lists – means there will be hot competition for winners on the night.
One of the most challenging categories to judge is that of Outstanding Team of the Year. An impressive batch of entries demonstrates that, right across the public sector, hardworking teams are doing inspirational, original work – often in some of the most deprived communities in the UK.
Whether they are helping to rehabilitate offenders, inspire disaffected youngsters, improve community health or transform run-down estates, these are the people who put the 'public' into public service.
Last year, the judges found it so hard to decide which was the Outstanding Team that they came up with two, very different, joint winners.
Belbclean (Belfast Education and Library Board) cleaning services won their award for transforming the dirty and unhygienic state of local schools, and hugely raising efficiency standards. London Buses (Transport for London) received their accolade for vastly increasing bus usage in the capital, and transforming their own working practices.
The public recognition that these and other teams have received helps to make their day-to-day work easier, and reinforces the collective spirit that underpins so much of their success.
So which will be the Outstanding Team of the Year this time around? With less than two weeks to go until the prizes are handed out at the prestigious awards ceremony, we'll just have to keep on guessing. But whoever wins, every one of the shortlisted teams will have made an outstanding contribution in their own field.
Public Finance is delighted that Unison has again agreed to sponsor the Outstanding Team of the Year Award. We are also grateful for the continuing support from our partners – CIPFA, the Cabinet Office, the Office of Government Commerce and Ipsos Mori.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday, May 17. Details of the winners and the ceremony will be included in our issues of May 19 and 26.
PFmay2006
