Cumbria County Council has been praised for the way it works together to deliver services and for its strong commitment to staff development.
The commendations came from independent assessors at the Investors in People organisation (IiP) which this week announced the county council has retained its prestigious Investor in People status for a further three years.
The award covers the whole organisation of more than 8,000 staff from engineers and firefighters to social workers and librarians and recognises good practice in developing staff.
Assessors from IiP this summer interviewed around 400 staff from all parts of the council before agreeing that the authority had earned the right to keep its coveted IIP badge.
The assessors were impressed with improvements in management, communication and leadership as well as with the council's ongoing commitment to the development of staff and elected members.
Peter Stybelski, chief executive of Cumbria County Council, said: "We are very pleased to have our IiP status recognised and confirmed. It reiterates what our staff already know - that we care about our people and want them to have the knowledge and skills they need to perform to the very best of their abilities."
Elizabeth Mallinson, cabinet member for organisational development, said: "This is independent confirmation that the council is going from strength to strength by supporting its staff to learn and achieve. By investing in our staff we make the council a better place to work and we deliver better results for the people of Cumbria."
Katie Hornby, organisational development manager, said: "We are thrilled with the result and we will be looking at ways in which we can continue to improve."
Cumbria County Council was first awarded IiP status in April 2004. The 2007 assessment and award means that county council retains its IIP status until the next inspection in 2010.
The IiP is an internationally recognised award it is a quality standard for improving an organisation's performance through its people. IiP UK was set up in the early 1990s as a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Education and Skill, to help organisations and people throughout the UK to improve their productivity and performance and realise their full potential. For more information on IIP go to www.investorsinpeople.co.uk
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Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334
Follow this link to visit the Investors In People website