Annual service awards - how to enter
Authorities are welcome to enter submission/s for each of the categories, with the framework for each application based around a 2000 word response (per category). Please note that the ability to enter the same submission for multiple categories has been discontinued following review, although authorities can still enter multiple submissions for the same category should they so choose.
As will be set out in the electronic template (to be forwarded once you confirm interest) the submission should contain: -
- A one page Executive Summary
- Background to the initiative/service development (aims and objectives)
- Evidence of improvements achieved and challenges overcome
- How the initiative links to the wider council objectives
- Your targets for the future and the framework within which they operate
Included in the 2000 word submission, entries can also contain supplementary information such as a short biography of the team/employees involved (with digital/scanned photographs added to the body of the submission). The submissions for any of the first nine categories should encompass: -
- A description of the initiative
- Why it was set up giving a description of the original problem being addressed
- How does it work
- Benefits to the organisation
- Benefits to individuals
- Benefits to customer/citizen
The submissions for Best service teams should show in all cases that the team: -
- Deliver the best service possible
- Deliver in the spirit of continuous improvement
- Work as a team with other services and partners
Generally, successful submissions will: -
- Be clear, easy to read and well laid out
- Focus on content (pictures etc. can be used but content is paramount)
- Contain relevant, succinct appendices e.g. from partners or customers
- Include an Executive Summary
And most of all, don’t forget the basics. The judges will be looking for clear evidence that your initiative or team meets the above criteria and examples of excellence and targets exceeded to select the winning entries. They will also take into account any visible benchmarks of achievement such as independent auditor’s reports, achievement of IIP or ISO 9001 etc. Finally, the winning initiative or team should be able to demonstrate evidence of excellence in continually working to challenge internal/external benchmarks.