Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have been named the UK Council of the Year. 

The two separate councils, which merged workforces in 2011 received the award at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards ceremony in London earlier this week.

Council of the Year recognises a council which is “outstanding” in transforming its services and creating vibrant communities.

Stowmarket Mercury:

Chief Executive of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, Arthur Charvonia, said: “This is great recognition for our teams and the work they do to support residents and communities.

“We are driven by wanting to deliver great services and make a positive difference in everything we do across our districts. Our teams have shown superb innovation in recent years to make this happen.

“At the same time, we are always honest about our imperfections – when we don’t get it right, we want to learn and improve.”

The two councils have drawn attention to their successes in opening Gateway 14 in Stowmarket, with The Range as the first occupier, and their environmental record including being the first rural councils in the UK to switch their bin lorries from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil.

Babergh District Council acting leader, Cllr John Ward, said: “Our teams show what can be achieved despite the challenging financial circumstances that local authorities face. Not just supporting residents and offering good services which are great value, but being innovative and helping create vibrant, thriving communities.”

Mid Suffolk District Council leader Cllr Andy Mellen said: “This is great recognition for everyone involved – our staff, our councillors, and all the partner organisations that we work with. We are always looking for ways to improve the services we offer residents, and to champion Mid Suffolk as a thriving district, so this award is a very welcome encouragement for all that we are doing.”