National award for council’s Benefits Team

October 29, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

The council’s Benefits Team have been given national recognition as they scooped a national award for their performances and achievements.

On Wednesday 9 October, the Institute of Revenues Ratings and Valuations (IRRV) hosted the annual awards gala at the Telford International Centre. The Benefits Team picked up the Benefits and Welfare Reform Team of the Year 2019 award.

The award focuses around how each shortlisted finalist performs on a day-to-day basis, how well they work in partnership with other organisations, how they make best use of technology, training of staff and future plans for the team as a whole. All Local Authorities across the UK can make a submission, from which four were shortlisted as finalists.

Following their approval as a shortlisted candidate, the team were inspected for a day to show how the team work cohesively and innovatively within their field. Upon inspection, the judges were highly impressed by the team’s ability to link their work with the council’s own ambitions, using their own work to deliver against the outcomes for Southend 2050. 

Cllr Ian Gilbert, leader of the council with a responsibility for benefits, said: “The work the benefit services team does provide an essential service to many residents across the Borough, and I am delighted to see them recognised for the work they do.

“Their work can often go unnoticed and these awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight some of the work in Public Sector that can often fly under the radar. I would like to congratulate all the team for this, their first award in this category, and all of their hard work and dedication and I am confident they will push on from this to claim more awards in the near future.”