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29/06/2010

It seems every day there is a new assault on so called 'gold-plated' public sector pensions.  Or a freeze on pay, with the implication that somehow those in the public sector have been shielded from the real world of the private. Plus relentless rounds of spending cuts totaling billions of pounds. 

What appears to be forgotten in all of this are the individuals who are actually doing the jobs - the road-sweepers, lollypop ladies, bin men, social workers, park wardens, firemen. 

Council Worker of the Year was created 5 years ago to reflect those frontline workers, the very real people doing very real jobs, day in and day out, often with very little recognition. And every year the loudest cheer of the night goes to the Lifetime Service winner.  

This year's finalists reflect everything that is really good about local government workers. So often there is someone within a council who really epitomises public service at its best. That person that has just always been there, has always gone the extra mile, has given their all. 

Clive Blackshaw from Bridgend started out as an electrician, ending up as manager, without a single day off sick in over 40 years.

Doreen Broadfoot, a mental health worker retiring from Liverpool this year is best summed up by her colleagues - "every team needs a Doreen"!

John Purcell in Hillingdon has gone from cleaning services over 40 years ago to heading up and transforming the borough's crematorium.

And James Hehir OBE is the first Chief Executive ever to be nominated and also the first posthumous finalist - a reflection of the respect and admiration of all those who worked with him.

Have a look at their work and vote for who you think best shows a lifetime commitment to their community - the best of local government, but also, perhaps, only in local government. 
 

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