12 April 2002
In round three of the awards, which were launched in 1999, 46 councils received Beacon status for providing services under 11 themes, including neighbourhood renewal, crime reduction, adoption services and fostering business growth.
The awards aim to identify councils with the best records in providing a set of predetermined services and are supposed to encourage non-winners to achieve higher standards by sharing best practice through bodies such as the Improvement and Development Agency.
In all, 52 awards were made by an independent advisory panel and were revealed at a Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions press conference held at Hammersmith & Fulham Council on April 8.
Raynsford said: 'Nearly half of this year's winners – 22 out of 46 – have never been Beacon councils before and many of these are district councils. This shows the scheme is relevant to all councils, whatever their type, size and location.'
Councillor Frank Doran of Liverpool City Council, which won awards for its library and community legal services, said: 'It's a huge thumbs-up for the whole city and a major recognition that we are making huge progress towards providing excellent services.'
The DTLR also announced that the next batch of Beacon awards would be judged on the ability to provide services such as mental health care, secondary education, social inclusion programmes and information technology.
PFapr2002
