EFFORTS to help Ukrainian refugees, cut homelessness and improve adult education have seen Wiltshire Council shortlisted for an award.

The council has been named among six finalists for the Local Authority of the Year gong at the MJ Achievement Awards 2023, an annual event to celebrate success and recognise excellence in local government.

The council’s entry referred to a range of achievements, including being one of the leading authorities in England for supporting Ukrainian refugees; innovating to reduce homelessness, adult education and children’s services rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted; creating teams to support people to thrive at home, reducing hospital admissions and delays in discharge; and area boards supporting projects valued at more than £8 million.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony on 23 June in London.
Cllr Richard Clewer (pictured), leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for this award, and it’s testament to all the hard work put in by everyone associated with the council day in and day out – all in service of our communities.

“This sort of recognition puts us on a national platform and that can only help us as to achieve everything we’ve set out in our Business Plan.

“This shortlisting, coupled with our recent extremely positive Peer Challenge report, demonstrates that as a council we continue to head in the right direction and that our clear long-term vision is right for the county, providing a strong foundation for us to take the kind of action that may not have been seen elsewhere.”