A county council team has won a top national award for developing councillors

County Council scoops top national prize for councillor development

BBC News's Huw Edwards presented the award to member development champion County Councillor Janet Eagland at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.

Award sponsor the IDeA (the Improvement and Development Agency for local government) was looking for the best example of a council which provides outstanding ongoing support and training for its councillors to develop them in their leadership, scrutiny and community champion roles.

The county council's winning submission included initiatives such as:
• the 'My County Council, My County Councillor' campaign, which has raised the profile of all of its members in their communities through various channels such as the Your Staffordshire magazine, Councillor Question Time and webcasting council meetings
• councillors deciding for themselves on the type of development they needed - from cabinet members to local councillors
• councillors and officers working together to raise the profile of the council on a regional and national scale
• local councillors taking decisions on spending an allocation of £10,000 in their areas

County Councillor Eagland said: "It is outstanding that Staffordshire County Council has been recognised as the best in the country for developing its councillors and helping the public to understand their role in the community.
"We're absolutely delighted that the judges recognised the many initiatives that have been put in place and the close cooperation between councillors and officers.
"The county council will now look to build on this fantastic achievement by further enhancing the role of its councillors throughout Staffordshire."

The county council was also named as a finalist in the Energy Efficiency Achievement category.