Recognition for council employees.
Following a record number of nominations and much deliberation, Birmingham City Council has revealed the finalists in this year’s Chamberlain Awards.
An internal recognition programme, the Chamberlain Awards celebrates those council employees who have made a real and significant difference to the lives of people living and working in Birmingham and its surrounding areas.
Finalists in this year’s awards include Jim Wilson, who was the project delivery manager of Eastside City Park; the first park to be built in the city centre for more than 130 years, as well as the New Street Gateway Switchover Team and the Park Show Team who won gold at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
Whilst eight of the nine categories called for nominations from BCC employees, the Local Hero award sought entries from the public. Finalists include Carl Tandy, a caretaker at Brandwood and Cocksmoor Houses in Kings Heath; Hansen Palm, a youth worker in Bordesley Green; Zenia Deaves from the ‘Friends of Nechells’ project; Jill Graudumnieks, assistant housing officer and the Adult Education Team.
Councillor Muhammad Afzal, Chairman of the Employment and Human Resources committee said: “Each year judging the Chamberlain Awards seems to get more and more difficult and this year was no exception as we had a huge number of very impressive nominations.
“All of the finalists are true ambassadors for Birmingham City Council, going far beyond what is required of them to ensure that Birmingham is known as one of the most forward-thinking, innovative and caring cities in the UK and further afield.
“Reading the Local Heroes nominations was truly heart-warming as it showed the very real and direct influence members of the council have on people’s lives – from youth workers who have helped open up opportunities, to housing officers who have helped give people a second chance in life, these employees really do deserve to be celebrated.”
The finalists will find out if they are winners of the Chamberlain Awards at a special awards ceremony at the ICC on Friday 8th November. The awards – and prizes – are fully funded through sponsorship, with this year’s line-up of sponsors including Acivico, Amey, Co-operative bank, KPMG, O2, PWC, Turner Townsend, Veolia, Wilmott Dixon.
Now in its ninth year, the Chamberlain Awards is named after Joseph Chamberlain, one of the most respected civic leaders in Birmingham. Funded through sponsorship from local businesses, the awards scheme has been designed to reward Birmingham City Council workers who go the extra mile to ensure that the people of Birmingham receive quality service.
For more information, or to read blogs on all the finalists, visit www.chamberlainawards.co.uk/finalists
