North Kesteven DC

LGC’s Council of the Year will be the council which has the most learning and inspiration to offer the rest of local government. The winner should demonstrate underlying sustained strong performance, innovation and excellent leadership across the broad spectrum of its work. Judges will be asked to disregard any advantages a council has based on its size or location, and they will not award Council of the Year on the basis of the scale of the Covid challenge a council has faced. The winner will be chosen on the basis of the delivery of strong outcomes, the quality of the council’s community leadership, and the evidence that the council is doing the best for its area, all in response to the specific challenge the council has faced in all areas of its work. Judges will also look for qualities including resilience, compassion, inclusion and adaptability, as well as the quality of the council’s cooperation with partners. This award is open to a council or, in exceptional circumstances, a partnership of councils – for instance when two councils share the same officer leadership.

Acknowledgement as ‘a strong council’, ‘providing good place leadership’ and contributing ‘effective positive relationships’ is hard-won much-deserved praise. Recent external reviews into our culture, performance and ambition have singled out North Kesteven District Council as a high-performing authority, an excellent partner and a great place to work. It’s also got one of the clearest, most comprehensive climate action plans that sets out ‘excellent ambitions for tackling climate change’ and clearly-defined priorities contributing to fulfilment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Having this complete jigsaw in place gives clarity, purpose and structure and enables us to drive forward with momentum.

At Zurich Municipal we know how much time, effort and teamwork goes on behind the scenes at councils across the UK – this is why we are particularly proud to sponsor the Council of the Year award. With more than 25 years working alongside local authorities it is a privilege for us to have seen and worked alongside them as their visions are brought to life, bringing benefits to millions of people in communities around the UK.