Reading Borough Council Celebrates Double Awards Win

Reading Borough Council won two prestigious industry national awards in June in recognition of the quality and breadth of services provided to residents.

The first triumph came at the Local Government Chronicle’s LGC Awards 2023, where Reading Council was announced as the winner of the Diversity and Inclusion category. The Council beat competition from other shortlisted entries including the likes of Birmingham City Council, Camden LBC, Hammersmith & Fulham LBC and Islington LBC.

The award recognises the work Reading has carried out to transform its services with equality and diversity at its heart. This includes services and facilities offered by Reading Library Service, Reading Museum, Reading Arts, New Directions College, as well as the Council’s major investment in leisure services.

The judges said of Reading’s entry:

“Reading’s culture and leisure team demonstrated a very impressive and comprehensive approach to transforming their services with an explicit focus on including all parts of the community and across every protected characteristic.

“The outcome focus of the transformation and the integration of equality and diversity activity is matched with resources and a self-evident enthusiastic and passionate leadership which also recognised the need to go even further.”

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said:

“Reading Borough Council is determined to ensure that every single resident can share in the benefits of Reading’s success, and it is wonderful to see this commitment to equality and diversity celebrated.

We know there is more to do, but I am so proud to see our work to build inclusive access to learning, culture and leisure in Reading being recognised at a national level. I want to congratulate and thank everyone in our culture and leisure teams for the hard work they have put into making our services as inclusive as possible for all our communities.”

The Council’s second triumph was by the Highways team who won the Best Council Services Team at the equally prestigious Municipal Journal MJ Awards on Friday 23 June. The award was particularly notable as it came against not just other Highways teams but was judged against the most innovative and progressive programmes across all sectors of council services nationwide.

Beating competition from Oxford City Council, Swansea City Council and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council among others, Reading was recognised for the size and effectiveness of its record road investment programme for all road users, which also contributes to its overall aim of taking action to respond to the climate emergency.

The judges commented:

“This was a hugely ambitious and innovative project, improving over 500 roads with more in the pipeline. Reading have shown how a structured, proactive approach can both reduce long term costs whilst being climate conscious. A great team who go the extra mile to improve their roads.”

Cllr Karen Rowland, Lead Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled that our hard-working Highways team has been rewarded with national recognition for their dedication and innovation. The Council’s multi-million pound investments in its roads have given this winning team the drive to truly flourish and create a comprehensive programme of improvements. Their innovative work has only benefited Reading’s residents, and has also significantly responded to our climate emergency.”