Luton Excellence Awards
winners for 2016
Becoming the Best
Recognising colleagues who work hard and train hard to be the best they can
possible be.
Gerry Morgan: Senior Accountant
Asking an accountant to manage a construction
project may seem odd, but the decision
demonstrated the confidence that Gerry’s
managers had in his abilities. These proved well
founded and Gerry quickly acquired a range of
qualifications and completed commercial
negotiation, business strategy, planning and
finance courses before project managing the
construction of Luton’s new Sustainable Travel
Centre (opposite the train station) - a major asset
to the town.
Commitment to the Community
For helping groups and individuals within Luton’s communities to take more
control over their lives.
Attia Nazir: Economic Development Officer
Attia’s outstanding leadership and organisational skills
have helped many of Luton citizen’s find a job and take
more control over their lives.
She is the driving force behind the LETS fairs, which now
involve an ever-larger number of potential employers
and last February’s event attracted more than 1,300
visitors. Just as important, the growing reputation of
these events means an increasing number of employers
want to take part – great news for Luton!
Work opportunities are a vital element of the community
we aim to create over the coming years and Attia is a
great example of the sort of commitment that will
achieve this.
Commercial Acumen
For identifying and making the most of opportunities to earn income by selling
skills and services
The HR School Support Team
Entrepreneurship flourishes across HR, but this team deals with the most
significant customer group, the schools market. The team’s reputation has
already spread beyond Luton and they have now secured contracts with 22
schools outside of the borough.
Comments in the recent satisfaction survey included: “I have never been so
well supported by a service” – there is always someone who can help” and
“This school has received outstanding service and support”.
Employee of the Year
Selected from a strong field of candidates, each of the shortlisted individuals
has made an outstanding contribution during the last 12 months
Carol Lewis :HR Services Team Leader
Carol was chosen for a combination of
her talent as a team leader, total
commitment to the Council’s drive to be
commercially successful – she and her
team brought in some £200,000 in
revenue last year - and the way in which
she stepped in to help solve a crisis
within another team which had serious
implications, both internally and in the
public arena, for the authority. She is a
very worthy winner.
Outstanding Achievement
This award recognises efforts which made a particular impact during the last
12 months, delivering beyond expectations and making a real difference to
colleagues, customers or the community as a whole.
Andrea Innes
Site Manager, Building and Technical Services
With no previous experience of residential
construction, Andrea volunteered as Aldenham
Close project manager, putting herself on an
incredibly steep learning curve.
She impressed everyone involved in the project
with how quickly she completed extensive and
challenging training, acquired new skills and
knowledge and motivated her entire team to
deliver the project to an exceptionally high
standard and ahead of schedule.
Contracts Manager Jason Quince said: “Andrea
should be proud of her achievements”. She
certainly should be, and we all are too!
Partnership Working
Increasingly, delivering successful services requires close cooperation between
the Council and partner organisations and this award recognises exceptional
achievements in that field.
The Customer Services Team
Luton Access is a partnership involving Customer Services, the Citizens’
Advice Bureau, Luton Law, Luton Rights and the Irish Forum, integrating
services to tackle such core issues as poverty and homelessness. It is a
project that has been talked about in Luton for 20 years and has now realised
its potential with the involvement of LBC. It is a great example of
‘partnership working’.
Rising Star of the Year
This award is for colleagues who have joined LBC within the last couple of
years and have already distinguished themselves by making a major
contribution.
Shabena Abbas: Social Worker
A Social Worker since her qualifications
were confirmed last October, Shabena has
since distinguished herself in terms of
enthusiasm, integrity and professionalism.
Manager Kevin Andrews said: “I predict
Shabena’s contribution to the work of the
Council and her support to Luton residents
will prove invaluable in the years to come.”
Team of the Year
Teamwork is crucial to what we do as a Council, and this award celebrates the
outstanding examples of the last 12 months.
The BTS Bathroom Team
This team work with customers who can be very difficult to deal with. Just
how well they do that is summed up by customer comments such as:
 “Your workforce were amazing, kind, thoughtful and caring. They
spoke to Lee as a person, not a mental health patient. Not many
people do that.”
 “It was an absolute pleasure to have them working in my home”
 “The team are a credit to your organisation”
A keenly contested category, indicating the encouraging level of dedication and leadership
Manager of the Year
demonstrated by managers throughout LBC.
That what our customers think – and we couldn’t agree more.
Manager of the Year
Elaine Hughes
South Team Manager, (Children and Families Social
Work)
I think it is fitting to quote again from Elaine’s
nomination:
“Elaine is highly respected and appreciated. Her ‘open
door’ policy means social workers feel comfortable
seeking advice and motivation. She shows genuine
interest in the wellbeing of her team, expressing
gratitude when everyone pulls together to assist
during emergencies and encouraging good team
spirit.”
Comments such as those convinced the judges that
Elaine was a worthy winner of Manager of the Year.
One Council
This award recognised cross-departmental working to increase efficiency by
breaking down internal ‘silos’.
The Strategic Community Services Team
Involvement in initiatives as diverse as anti-poverty measures, Area
Boards, Community Cohesion, Welfare Reform, Equalities,
Community Development, Volunteering, Leisure and Culture – and I
could go on – makes this team an outstanding example of the ‘One
Council approach. They work across the whole of the Council and
the whole of Luton, bring colleagues from every department
together to work towards a common goal – making Luton a better
place to live, work and do business.
Making a Difference
Recognising colleagues whose hard work and dedication has helped improve
the lives of people in Luton.
The Financial Assessment Team (Adult Social Care)
Clients of our Adult Social Care services are at particular financial risk, either
through deliberate abuse by others or from the consequences of being unable
to manage money matters because of their disabilities. The team work hard to
improve people’s lives and have a really positive impact on clients’ wellbeing
and family relationships.
In helping our customers the team also protects the Council by preventing
money due to LBC going elsewhere. They also generate income from financial
assessment work.
Changing Gear and Working Smarter
Recognising creativity and innovation in adopting new ways of working and
delivering services.
The Pest Control and Dog Warden Team
At the same time as expanding to incorporate dog warden services, this
team has continued to develop innovative pest control schemes, working
with various departments to help reduce costs by preventing problems,
rather than paying to deal with them.
While other councils are outsourcing this type of service, our team has
worked smarter to deliver a better service of greater benefit to Luton’s
residents – including the dogs!