Two services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been shortlisted for prestigious national awards in a scheme celebrating stars of local government.
The city council’s Highways Direct Services Team is hoping to claim the title of Best Service Team annual MJ Awards, whilst the Communities Together partnership is a finalist in the Care and Health Integration category at the same event.
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in London on 21 June.
The highways team is the local authority’s internal highways reactive team and maintains over 993km of road and 1127km of footway – the equivalent distance from the city to Zurich.
Best known for filling potholes, the team also covers things such as patching, drainage, fabrication, winter gritting and call-out and they are the council’s first on the scene in an emergency.
The team has revolutionised how roads are repaired and has completed 18 years’ worth of repairs on road defects in the last three years by using JCB’s Pothole Pro machine.
A council spokesperson said: “Our Highways Direct Services Team really is the team that keeps the city moving. From winter gritting, to being the first team on site in an emergency, the highways teams are ready for anything.
“We are very proud to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Huge congratulations and thank you to the team for your continued hard-work.”
The Care and Health Integration category recognises local authorities and health partners who display imagination and innovation in bringing together care and health services under one roof, working alongside local communities to the benefit of residents.
Launched in 2021, Communities Together sees the council partner with a host of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to offer support to people who may be dealing with issues including loneliness, the cost-of-living crisis and mental health wellbeing.
Across the city, there are 18 community lounges hosting weekly sessions.
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson added: “During 2023 alone, we have had over 1,500 visitors a week to the community lounges across Stoke-on-Trent.
“While this shows that word is getting around about the lounges, it also shows there is active demand for these services in the heart of communities.
“Having someone to talk to in the lounges will often prevent a visit to GPs and A&E, helping to drive hospital waiting lists down.
“The community lounges continue to evolve, and with vital support from partners, we will continue to support the most vulnerable in our communities and look to create a healthier and wealthier Stoke-on-Trent.”
