Peter with Jeremy Vine

IT wizard Peter crowned Council Worker of the Year

Forty-six year old Peter won the award for inventing a computer "patch" that is helping save Staffordshire County Council £40,000 in electricity bills and fighting global warming.

This year's awards attracted an unprecedented 351 entries, and Peter was the only shortlisted finalist from a West Midlands authority.

Peter, who lives in Stafford, said: "I feel shell shocked! I am really surprised and delighted. I was up against very stiff opposition in the innovation category as other ideas short listed were excellent."

"I think the green credentials of my idea gave us the winning the edge. As climate change is so topical now, people are keen to hear about simple ideas that can save energy and the planet".

"This is a brilliant result for Staffordshire County Council and its IT team. Thank you to everyone who voted for me - in particular my colleagues throughout the council and the people of Staffordshire."

Peter realised the potential waste caused by staff forgetting or being unable to switch off their PC's when they leave work. So he adapted existing software to scan the authority's 7,500 computers and automatically switch off any left on overnight.

John Taylor, Leader of Staffordshire County Council congratulated Peter. He said: "We are absolutely delighted for him. This is a truly innovative idea and has attracted interest from across the private and public sectors. Could an idea have been more timely? Everyone is so concerned about rising energy costs and climate change, and this ingenious solution helps tackle both.

"We are extremely proud of our staff at Staffordshire County Council and encourage our people to be free-thinking innovators."

Peter's innovation is an add-on to existing software that ensure the county's IT systems always have the latest anti-virus protection.  It cost the county council nothing and is thought to be unique. It could be adapted by other authorities and industry to save them cash but help with their carbon footprint too. It recently scooped the county council a Government Computing Award in the Green IT section.

It has been estimated that if all the companies and organisations that have contacted the county council about the patch adopt it they will save a collective £2 million on their energy bills.

You can see more details, including an interview with Peter at 

 http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards/c/innovation/v/peter_kear/#/c/innovation/y/2008/

The awards were hosted by BBC presenter Jeremy Vine, who said: "These awards are fantastic because they show the standards that are being set by people who really understand what public service is.

It's not about politics, it's sheer hard work that will scoop these awards - on a good day a local council can connect with voters in a way that Westminster and Brussels really struggle to."