Merton Is Named 'Britain's Top Council'
Local council comes out top on awards night
Merton Council has won the top award of Best Achieving Council in the local government 'Oscars'.
The annual MJ Achievement Awards, which took place last night (June 20), recognised the top performing councils in the country with Merton winning the night's main award, Best Achieving Council.
This category recognises not just one area of council business, but the achievements of the authority right across the organisation.
The organisers praised the council for consistently delivering for its residents across all service areas, its excellent services and value for money, as well as being one of the lowest spenders in London, but often in the top quartile for performance. Other qualities of winners of this award include having a clear vision, strong forward planning and evidence of delivering successful services.
As well as being awarded Best Achieving Council, Merton's legal team was also shortlisted in the Best Legal Services category.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis (left) said: "I am extremely happy and proud Merton has won this excellent accolade. This win and the success of the council is down to the hard work of our staff, our partners, volunteers and the many community groups we work with across the borough.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the council for their important contribution which has led to Merton winning this award, it is a great honour."
Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Leader of Merton Conservatives, added: "I have written to the Chief Executive and send my congratulations to all staff at Merton Council on their success. There are very many hard working council employees whose efforts often go unrecognised. This award is a tribute to them.
"Whilst Merton Council has made substantial progress, there remains much to be done. Council tax remains too high, whilst satisfaction with Merton's parking and traffic management, street cleaning and standard of education remains too low.
"Of course, the real judgement on Merton Council will be in May 2014 when local residents head to the polling stations to elect a new council. At those elections my Conservative colleagues and I will demonstrate how we would lead a council that could reduce council tax, make our streets cleaner, build a new school and make parking and public transport more accessible and affordable. That is a vision which I am confident will command the public's support."
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June 25, 2013