CALDERDALE Council is in the running for three prestigious national awards.

The council’s Chief Executive, Robin Tuddenham, said the shortlistings were thanks to its innovative work in Public Health, Children and Young People’s Services and Health and Safety.

Calderdale is a finalist in three categories of the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards 2019 – Public Health Improvement, Innovation in Children’s Services, and Rising Star.

The awards recognise the best in local government services and staff across the country, and enable councils to learn from each other.

In public health, the council is a finalist thanks to a bicycle project through the Active Calderdale movement which was established to help Calderdale become the most active borough in the north of England by 2024.

Moving more is vital for good health and wellbeing, and the council works with partner organisations to tackle the barriers that prevent people from being active.

One way is through the successful Active Calderdale Bike Library, run with partners West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and funded by Yorkshire Bank, which has been recognised by the MJ as an outstanding project, said Mr Tuddenham.

It also addresses poverty, and since 2017 there have been nearly 1000 bike loans and more than half have come from two of the most deprived areas in Calderdale.

For innovation in children’s services, the MJ has shortlisted the council for its innovative approach to helping young people leaving care.

Calderdale is one of the first local authorities to formally recognise not only its role as a corporate parent, but also corporate grandparent, providing support, recognised by Ofsted, not only to young people leaving care, but also to their children, he said.

And in the rising star category – a younger member of staff who shows exceptional ability, dedication and promise – 23-year-old Lee Broadbent, the council’s Health and Safety Advisor, is up for this award.

Lee started as an apprentice after his A-levels and has built up an impressive record which includes the highest recognised Health and Safety qualification in the UK and the title of the youngest qualified Health and Safety Advisor in Yorkshire and the Humber, said Mr Tuddenham.

Mr Tuddenham said: “Being nominated for three of these prominent awards is great national recognition for the hard work of our talented and creative teams.

“They have all shown amazing commitment to the Vision2024 for Calderdale to be a distinctive place, where everyone can reach their potential, where talent and enterprise can thrive, and where people are kind and resilient.”

The MJ Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on June 26.