Outstanding achievements and service to local residents by Rochdale Borough Council employees were recognised during the ACE Awards held at Rochdale Town Hall.
7 awards were presented to individuals and teams after 95 staff were nominated for excellence, commitment and hard work.
Pictured from left to right: Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive; Luke O’Shaughnessy from sponsor A&T Surfacing; and Pioneering for Change award winner Habiba Khatoon.
The Pioneering for Change award sponsored by A&T Surfacing was won by Habiba Khatoon. She was praised for her enthusiasm and positive attitude as she co-ordinates work experience placements at the council, turning many into full time contracts and finding opportunities for long term unemployed residents.
Early help worker Cheryl Chilekwa won the Proud to Make a Difference award but was unable to attend the evening. (It was presented to her daughter from Giovanni Pilla from sponsor CBRE.)
Early help worker Cheryl Chilekwa won the Proud to Make a Difference award, sponsored by CBRE. Her work includes finding support for struggling families and she provides a lifeline for many families encountering very challenging circumstances.
‘So proud’
Pictured from left to right: Jim Brandrett from sponsor JB Civils Ltd; Kelly Crossley, winner of the Passionate About Excellence award; and Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive.
Adult care team leader Kelly Crossley won the Passionate About Excellence award sponsored by JB Civils. Described as someone who leads by example and is passionate about learning, she has co-ordinated many events to support residents and nurture strong local community links.
Pictured from left to right: Lee Shackleton from sponsor Rochdale Training; Young Employee of the Year Josh Ennis; and Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive.
Young Employee of the Year sponsored by Rochdale Training went to administration and finance officer Josh Ennis. He started as an apprentice during the pandemic and has very quickly become a highly valued member of the team.
Some of the front line staff from environmental management with Estelle Rowe from Your Trust and Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive.
All frontline staff in environmental management were named Team of the Year, sponsored by Your Trust. The team ensure the borough’s parks and gardens look their best, and the results speak for themselves, with 7 parks winning RHS Gold Medal awards and 10 retaining Green Flag status.
Pictured from left to right: Employee of the Year Ian Newton; Lily-Mae Cooney from sponsor Cooney Civil Engineering, who presented the award; and Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive.
Employee of the Year sponsored by Cooney Civil Engineering was won by Ian Newton. Thanks to his hard work, the process for free school meal applications has reduced from over 2 weeks to just 15 minutes. He has pioneered the implementation of many new systems that help residents be supported more quickly.
Pictured from left to right: Councillor Mike Holly, mayor of Rochdale; Outstanding Contribution award winner Jane Myers; Julian Cobley from sponsor Arcadis; and Steve Rumbelow, council chief executive.
The Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by Arcadis was presented to Jane Myers who has worked in adult care for 3 decades. During that time she has led on multiple programmes, driving improvements and implementing a vast range of positive changes, helping ensure resident’s needs are met in a personalised and individual way. Chief executive Steve Rumbelow described Jane as ‘the font of all knowledge, supportive, kind, generous and a very well-respected colleague.’
The ACE Awards 2024 were held inside the restored Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall.
The evening was opened by the mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mike Holly who said:
“The mayoress and I really appreciate all the work that goes on and it is important to recognise employees who live and breathe our values, who have gone the extra mile and are doing things that are truly exceptional. I give my personal thanks to everyone and want to let you know how much you and your work is appreciated.”
Chief executive Steve Rumbelow added:
“Hearing about the achievements of individuals and teams makes me and the rest of the leadership team extremely grateful and proud. The staff filling potholes, gritting our roads, helping children and families, finding people jobs, getting people to lead healthier lives, running our warm spaces, keeping our green flag parks pristine, transforming places through regeneration, emptying the bins, or delivering one of the hundreds of other services we provide are making our borough better. These awards are about saying a big thank you.”
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of the council, attended the evening and congratulated the finalists.
Council leader Neil Emmott closed the evening and he felt very proud:
“It’s wonderful to be back here in the majestic town hall and I am so proud of all the finalists. As leader I get to see first-hand a lot of the work that you do and I know how much amazing work is being done.”
The awards were sponsored by Faun Zoeller, Cooney Civil Engineering, Your Trust, JB Civils, Rochdale Training, A&T Surfacing, CBRE, Arcadis and Agilysis.
Rebecca Fitzgibbon performed during the evening.
During the evening there was a musical performance from Rochdale singer Rebecca Fitzgibbon, a personal assistant at the council as well as entertainment from magician Barrington Powell.
- ACE Awards – more information on the awards and winners.