Transform Issue 39 - 2024 Awards Edition

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Introduction Councillor Paul Bettison and Dr Andrew Larner

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Our sponsors for 2024 WINNERS:

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Best Transformation Team

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Community + Customer Focus Award

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Best Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight

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Award for Efficiency and Effectiveness

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Green Public Service Award

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Award for Innovation

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Transformation in Health & Social Care Award

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Working Together Award

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International Public Body of the Year 2024

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UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year 2024

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UK Police Service of the Year 2024

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UK Council of the Year 2024

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Hall of Fame Winners

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Gallery of images 2024

EDITORIAL CONTACTS

TRANSFORM IS PRODUCED BY: iESE www.iese.org.uk

Email: enquiries@iese.org.uk @iESELtd

CREDITS: Designed by SMK Design (Aldershot)

Editorial by Vicki Arnstein

Welcome to this special issue of Transform, celebrating the winners of the UK Public Sector Transformation Awards

This is iESE’s 20th year as a not-forprofit social enterprise, although we have been supporting the transformation of local public services as a voluntary network of council, police, fire and ambulance organisations since 2004. The foundation of our work together was to share best practice. To learn from our collective knowledge. Sharing our ideas and experiences of new ways of working is essential to making the service improvements and the cost savings we all need. Which is why we created these Awards.

The iESE Awards has now hit a significant milestone of 15 years, and we’re pleased to say that we’ve seen thousands of submissions from over a third of all UK councils, half of all UK police services and a quarter of all UK fire and rescue services.

Our purpose in judging the awards is to identify stories of innovation that have made a meaningful impact to residents and businesses. Underpinning that judging process is the iESE Transformation Model. Every year we research not only what has been done to transform local public services, but how local public services plan to transform in the future, and we apply this knowledge in councils, police services and fire services.

Each award-winning submission exemplifies the best in the iESE Transformation Model and help us to update and develop the model itself. A hallmark of the submissions we see is that they often go far beyond statutory duty to better serve their communities. They do this in a way that helps the whole public sector. Reshaping and rewiring how services work for the benefit of all.

Each year the standard of the submissions, and the local public services they represent, goes up. Over the last few years we have been collaborating with judges of public service transformation in several other countries from Europe the Middle East, the United States and Canada. This collaboration has allowed us to compare our knowledge on the progress of transformation in our respective countries. As a result, we can confidently say that we not only have examples of best UK practice but we also have some world leading practice included in this edition of Transform.

In this diversity is our strength, and we would like to thank everybody who made a submission for their efforts, not only in the projects that they have undertaken, which mean so much to residents and local businesses, but also the time and trouble that they have taken in making your submissions.

These days we are privileged to judge transformation in other countries and exchange information on what the best looks like across the world. This is helped by the fact that this magazine is now read in over 150 countries. So, no matter where you are in the world, get ready to make a submission and we look forward to welcoming you at next years awards!

Councillor Paul Bettison, Annabelle Atkin and all the iESE Team

Annabelle Atkin, Chief Operating Officer

Paul Bettison, iESE Ltd Chairman

This year our awards event was sponsored by the following organisations:

Best Transformation Team

This award captures the exceptional focus and effort from a team who has made a significant contribution and long-term positive impact within their organisation, on their residents and communities. They have improved outcomes for their organisation, customers, and wider community through innovative transformation and continuous improvement. This team has delivered the best possible services to their residents and service users by embedding strong values, culture and behaviours.

#dreamteam #reallifetransformers

GOLD WINNER: East Ayrshire CouncilVibrant Communities

East Ayrshire Council’s Vibrant Communities places people at the heart of everything they do and works with all sectors of the community delivering prevention and early intervention services. Vibrant Communities has been redesigned to support the introduction of six Place Partnerships to harness the community power that has evolved since their inception and more so through the recent pandemic and cost of living crisis. Thus ensuring that people and the communities we serve are at the very core of our work and are able to shape and influence the services they require to help them live happier, healthier and longer.

SILVER WINNER: London Borough of Tower Hamlets - Corporate Strategy & Transformation Team

In the heart of Tower Hamlets, a team of 16 programme managers, project managers and business analysts are quietly revolutionising the way the council delivers services to its residents. The Corporate Strategy & Transformation Team stand as a beacon of innovation and efficiency, delivering impactful projects that enhance the lives of residents and strengthen the council’s culture. In 2023 the team played a pivotal role in the council’s transformation, evident in the team’s successful management of the People First Transformation Programme, achievement across 25 strategic priorities, grip and pace through PMO, and impact through the Pan-London Transformation Network.

BRONZE WINNER: Cambridge City Council - Our Cambridge

Cambridge City Council’s Transformation Team devised and led the ‘Our Cambridge Programme’ - a radical, people-centric transformation programme which focuses on purpose above all, while empowering residents and staff to reshape the organisation. Unlike conventional cost-cutting programmes, it does not set out to make straightforward savings, but instead to create the cultural conditions necessary for the organisation to transform itself. It has demonstrated both financial sustainability and tangible impact with: a grassroots adaptive leadership cohort of 65+ Change-Makers; Cambridge's first social-impact fund; design with data-driven approaches and revolutionising our operating model. Rejecting traditional hierarchies, the ‘Our Cambridge Programme’ grants everyone a voice in shaping Cambridge.

Community + Customer Focus Award

This award is for the initiative that does most to reinvigorate the local community and deliver outstanding service to their customers. Through the use of asset management and regeneration, they have created opportunities for their local area by delivering proven benefits, greater resilience and less dependency on local public services. And they can clearly demonstrate the link between excellent customer service and improved service performance. #communityenablement #vibrantcommunities

GOLD WINNER: London Borough of Bromley - Tackling Loneliness Strategy

Bromley’s multi-agency Tackling Loneliness Strategy is a one-of-a-kind initiative which is helping over 330,000 people of all ages, stages and background connect. Social isolation and loneliness is now a global challenge which Bromley has been at the forefront since 2019. The London Borough of Bromley’s collaborative, politically backed initiative, run out of the CEO’s Transformation department looks to supporting the community and voluntary sector through social value avenues alongside ‘out the box’ initiatives for all. Innovative solutions have been applied to support staff, professionals and residents in Bromley which are now being shared internationally.

SILVER WINNER: Humberside PoliceDomestic Abuse & Safeguarding Investigation Team

The Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Team is a department within Humberside Police that works tirelessly to investigate allegations of domestic abuse. They work hard to not only secure convictions for the perpetrators, but they ensure that safeguarding and support is offered to all victims throughout the process. They work closely with partner agencies to ensure that there is ongoing support for victims but to also direct perpetrators into programmes to help change their offending behaviour. They are committed and driven to delivering the best service for victims and have a real passion for safeguarding and prevention of further offences.

BRONZE WINNER: BCP CouncilThe Community Initiatives Team

The Community Initiatives Team within BCP Council works to support communities by working in partnership to make connections and recognising the strength of working together rather than in isolation or ‘top down’ approaches. The team use a ‘bottom up’ approach, ensuring that initiatives are designed by, with and for communities, focussing on the things that matter most to them and ensuring that authentic voices are listened to and valued. This small but dedicated team focusses on addressing food insecurity, developing volunteering, co-designing cost of living support and the development of Age Friendly Communities using strength-based approaches across the system.

Best Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight

This award is for the innovative use of digital tools, technology, and data that have led to improved outcomes for their organisation, customers, and wider community. This could be from remodelling existing services, to creating totally new and dynamic services that have transformed the roll of the local public services and the way it supports its residents and communities. Within their submission, they have evidenced and highlighted their creative approach of managing and manipulating data to deliver outstanding results.

#digitalgurus #divinedata

GOLD WINNER: British Transport Police - Geospatial

At British Transport Police, their Digital Policing project team have paved the way for intelligence briefing in policing through the development of a locationbased mobile system – called Geospatial. Geospatial is leading the way with geo-located on-the-go briefings, pushing out notifications straight to mobile devices allowing officers to make intelligence-led decisions. The project began in January 2021 and is currently preparing for a Forcewide roll-out for day-today use in early February 2024. Geospatial is the solution to BTP’s ongoing challenge of distributing briefings and intelligence to officers across the country who are constantly on the move.

SILVER WINNER: Solent TransportBreeze

Breeze is a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app launched by the Solent Future Transport Zone. Responding to problems of car dependency and low productivity in the Solent region’s unique geography, Breeze allows users to plan and pay for journeys across a multitude of transport services, including hovercraft, bus, trains, e-scooters and many more. With user growth rapidly increasing, Breeze is the UK’s preeminent MaaS implementation, and is a partnership delivery with Portsmouth and Southampton Universities to evaluate the app’s design and impact and disseminate best practice.

BRONZE WINNER: Cornwall CouncilTransforming the Food Safety Service

Cornwall Council's Business Regulatory Support team have implemented digital tools to completely transform the delivery of food safety inspections and business advice. In the 12 months following the move to digitally assisted inspections, the team were able to increase the number of delivered inspections by 64%. The transformation also had a tangible contribution to the wider reputation of the local food business sector, with latest data from the Food Standards Agency showing an astonishing 98% of inspected Cornish food businesses have achieved broad compliance with food hygiene legislation.

Award for Efficiency and Effectiveness

This body has harnessed the real potential in their organisation, delivering elevated performance, creating efficiencies, and delivering outstanding customer service with improved value to their residents. Above all, this organisation has shown its ability to adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, while achieving fantastic results in doing so. #publicserviceadaptation #customerfocus

GOLD WINNER: 7 Force Eastern Region of Police Forces - Eastern Region Innovation Network (Kent,

Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk)

The Eastern Region Chief Constables and Police (Fire) and Crime Commissioners (PFCC) required a focus on innovation to meet the policing challenges of the future. With 43 Police forces, there is often criticism that forces develop best practice in silo. This first of its kind transformation collaboration allows forces the option to replicate proven innovation, implementing in a way that meets local needs, working with agility and pace. ERIN harnesses the support of experts from across the region to develop, identify and assist implementation of evidence-based practice, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Eastern region.

SILVER WINNER: Swindon Borough Council - Machine Translation

Swindon Borough Council, in partnership with AWS, have pioneered an opensource Neural Machine Translation service that seamlessly translates content into 75 languages in three steps. This innovative solution drastically reduces costs and time while maintaining readability and security. Praised by inspection bodies, it is being adopted globally. Developed by a team of 4 (3 x Swindon Borough Council, 1 x AWS) in just a few months, this AWS-accredited, opensourced service is a game-changer for government bodies, schools, hospitals, and more. With an impressive ROI of 6.3M% and ambitious plans for real-time translations, this project exemplifies the potential of open source to positively impact communities.

BRONZE WINNER: South Cambridgeshire District Council - Four Day Week

South Cambridgeshire District Council is the first authority in the country to trial a fourday week - where 100% of the work is done, in 80% of the time, for 100% of the pay. The global trial of a four-day week has had overwhelmingly positive results in the private sector, which is why the council decided to introduce it in an effort to address recruitment and retention difficulties. This is due to competition from the booming private sector and the extremely high cost of living locally. South Cambridgeshire District Council found that they were spending about £2m per year on agency staff to cover key posts. An initial 3month trial for the four-day week saw a step-change in their colleagues’ health and wellbeing, whilst maintaining service standards. They empowered teams to really challenge the way they worked and find ways to become more productive. Colleagues were in the driving seat, and the transformation that they saw in the short planning period prior to the trial was incredible, and they successfully shared the creative solutions efficiencies. An extended 12-month trial to test the success of the working pattern vis-àvis recruitment and retention is now due to be completed in March.

Green Public Service Award

This category recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice across the public sector in the UK. This organisation has shown how they have helped the environment by driving sustainability not only in their organisation, but in their surrounding local area, and have improved the quality of life and well-being of their local residents. #achievinggreen #servingupsustainability

GOLD WINNER: Cheshire West and Chester Council - Creating the World's First Net Zero Industrial Cluster

Cheshire West and Chester is one of the UK’s ‘Superplaces’. As a centre for the development of net zero industry, it is pioneering new techniques and technologies to create the world’s first net zero industrial cluster by 2045. The council has worked extensively with industry and communities to facilitate the development of this cluster and deliver the combination of skills, relationships, resources and policy that make it one of the most exciting areas in the world for low carbon innovation.

SILVER WINNER: East Ayrshire CouncilMilking Your Way To Sustainability

East Ayrshire Council is leading the way in ensuring a healthier environment for its residents. After a review of contracts, the council focused on using their buying power to support local suppliers and implement eco-friendly solutions. By partnering with a local milk supplier and implementing eco-friendly solutions such as removing plastic, East Ayrshire Council has saved over four million pieces of plastic from going to landfill. This success story highlights the importance of taking action to reduce our impact on the environment. By making conscious buying decisions, we can all contribute to a healthier future for ourselves and our planet.

BRONZE WINNER: London Borough of Barnet - BarNET ZERO sustainability campaign

London Borough of Barnet's transformative BarNET ZERO campaign showcases a ground-up commitment to becoming a net zero council by 2030 and borough by 2042, and the six-month initiative ingeniously wove together a diverse narrative across five key strands. Meticulous planning, innovative branding, and a unique sustainability brand captured the essence of community collaboration. Achieving an impressive 150k video views, 13,000 web page views, and surpassing engagement goals, the campaign not only raised awareness but also tangible results, enhancing Barnet Council's climate score and indicating a notable annual carbon reduction. BarNET ZERO stands as a beacon of transparency, innovation, and community driven sustainability.

Award for Innovation

This category is for developing and bringing to market new innovative technologies, facilities or services that can transform the delivery of a local public service. They are able to show the success of innovative ways of working, and the improvement it’s made to their customers and community. This category is not only open to the public sector but also to private or third sector organisations. #forwardthinking #innovationstation

GOLD WINNER: Firesapien TechnologiesAI-driven high-rise fire safety

Firesapien is an AI-enhanced system for assisting firefighter commanders facing high-rise fires and was conceived in response to the Grenfell tragedy. Firesapien is a cloud-based platform configured to detect fires and receive live sensory data from a high-rise fire in a pre-trained AI core, to create real-time predictive models of the fire and map the fire against evacuation policies. Firesapien leverages existing investments in electronic building layout and IOT sensors already made by building owners, offering significant savings against Waking Watch and legacy fire protection systems, making high-rise buildings safer to live in and more costeffective to own.

SILVER WINNER: Swindon Borough Council - Simply Readable

In a brilliant collaboration with a group of local Swindon residents who are Experts by Experience of a Learning Disability, Swindon Borough Council, supported by AWS have harnessed the power of Generative AI to aid independence for the learning disability community. "Simply Readable" is an innovative co-created solution that converts complex documents into the accessible Easy Read format. This project is not just about technology; it's about making a real impact in people's lives and Swindon are open-sourcing this solution, license-free, worldwide, enabling "Simply Readable" to redefine accessibility for an inclusive world.

BRONZE WINNER: North Central LondonHealth & Wellbeing Bus for Social Care Staff

North Central London Health and Wellbeing Bus provides health checks and wellbeing support to social care staff in care homes. The bus operated across five North London boroughs and was initiated to address health inequalities in this group. 216 staff health checks and 148 wellbeing conversations were conducted. Of those staff members having a health check, 111 (51%) had high blood pressure and 89 (81%) of those were new cases with previously undiagnosed hypertension. 74% of care workers were found to be overweight or obese and 45% were moderate or high risk of developing diabetes. The feedback highlights the key role the health and wellbeing bus plays in upskilling social care staff in being aware of their own health needs, how to begin to make positive lifestyle changes which impact their health and how to navigate the health care system.

Transformation in Health & Social Care Award

This organisation has highlighted the greatest impact for customers of health and social care, through the successful launch of creative and forward-thinking services for children, young people or adults. Submissions can be based upon transforming access to services, remodelling the service itself, or integrating different services and partners. #socialcaresaviours #healthattheheart

GOLD WINNER: Together for ChildrenTransformation Management Office

The Transformation Management Office (TMO) was born in 2020 following an inadequate Ofsted inspection that necessitated the launch of a truly transformational DfE-supported programme. Together for Children identified the need for a high-quality professional project management and service improvement function to support its improvement journey. The TMO is now a strong, effective, delivery-focussed, impactful team and supported Together for Children’s historic national first in becoming the first children’s service ever to jump from an Ofsted inadequate rating to outstanding rating in one leap. It has implemented many complex, strategic and multi-agency projects, achieving significant benefit to the Sunderland’s families.

SILVER WINNER: South Ayrshire Health and Social Care PartnershipTransforming Children ServicesA Family First Approach

South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership has transformed how it delivers services to Children and Families, improving outcomes. This transformation delivers on “The Promise” and their commitment, that Children and Young People will “Grow up loved, Safe and Respected”. Through embracing their own “Family First” approach, and the “Signs of Safety” model of practice, there has been culture change in how they improve outcomes for children. South Ayrshire can now evidence their genuine commitment to Early Intervention and Prevention models of care, which promotes loving of their children and keeping them within families, Schools and local community and doing so efficiently.

BRONZE WINNER: Rochdale Borough Council - Raising Rochdale SEND Alliance

Rochdale Borough Council and HMR Integrated Care Board created a multiagency alliance to improve support and outcomes for children and families requiring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. The SEND Alliance includes those with lived experience and professionals. The Alliance mapped services to recognise gaps and patterns, developing a strong information sharing system, including creating a multi-agency, cross-system dashboard, and 7 SEND Outcomes coproduced with children and families. As a result, more children are receiving early intervention and support, the number of children reaching mental health crisis is reducing, increased voice of young people, and 6 new peer-led projects.

Working Together Award

This category is for simplifying the way that residents and local businesses deal with public services, through partnership working. This organisation has shown how they have brought together multiple contact points, removed the barriers between organisations, and moved resources closer to the customer.

#teamworkmakesthedreamwork #localbusiness

GOLD WINNER: BCP Council - Access to Food Partnership

The BCP Access to Food partnership is a strong network involving 90+ organisations/groups working on a common goal “a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole where everyone is able to feed themselves and their family nutritious food, all of the time”. Together they help residents whilst in crisis and to recover and build resilience. The network raises awareness about support, whilst ensuring households have equipment, skills and confidence through growing, cooking and eating together. Partners share knowledge, expertise and resources to connect with people at a neighbourhood level and respond in a way that works for a community based its assets.

SILVER WINNER: London Borough of Bromley - Bromley Homeless Health project

The Bromley Homeless Health project showcases what can be achieved with local collaboration and partnership. The project is a joint initiative sponsored by Public Health in London Borough of Bromley and funded by Bromley place of South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB). The overarching aim is to strengthen pathways of care to meet the care needs of our homeless community. The project has established a triage and assessment clinic based within the local homeless charity shelter, working alongside shelter staff. The clinic opened in March and has already achieved exceptional outcomes resulting in better health and wellbeing for over 85 homeless clients. In the words of one, the service is a ‘Godsend’.

BRONZE WINNER: Sevenoaks District Council - Better Together

Better Together brings communities together to do extraordinary things. It is a unique community mobilisation initiative and online community platform, building on the ‘hands on’ projects created during the pandemic, where 1500+ volunteers actively supported their neighbours. The key driver is to make people feel that the impossible is possible. Better Together continues this culture of empowerment by providing communities with the tools, advice and support they need in order to make things happen in their areas. Support on offer includes funding advice, support grants, recruiting and retaining volunteers, social media and communications, event planning, business advice, training and networking.

International Public Body of the Year 2024

This award is presented to the International Public Body deemed outstanding in transforming the delivery of its services.

WINNER: NACP Ukraine

The National Agency on Corruption Prevention is Ukraine's central executive authority for forming anti-corruption policies. In 2020, it underwent a transformative overhaul, incorporating digitalisation and the OKRs methodology for management. This shift facilitated the development of innovative IT products like "Politdata" (a political party disclosure registry) and the "Information System for Monitoring the State Anti-Corruption Program." Additionally, it enabled the adoption and initiation of vital strategic initiatives for Ukraine. Remarkably, this approach has proven effective, even in the face of wartime and global crises, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability in challenging conditions.

This initiative was highly innovative in the context of the public sector. The adoption of the OKRs methodology at NACP was pioneering within Ukrainian public sector institutions (Ministries, Agencies, Local governments etc). It revolutionised how the NACP set and measure goals, how they quarterly manage strategic sessions, providing a data-driven approach that enhances transparency and accountability. It shifted NACP’s focus from merely setting objectives to actively measuring results, transferring all ‘qualitive’ objectives to ‘quantitative, breaking new ground in the public sector's approach to strategic planning and accountability.

The implementation of the OKRs methodology at NACP has already shown impressive impact. Clear alignment between objectives and key results has led to a 20% improvement in goal attainment. It has enhanced transparency and accountability, working with civil society representatives such as Transparency Internationol, Rise UA coalition, resulting in a 30% increase in public trust. The OKRs methodology has been a key driver in achieving their mission to combat corruption effectively.

NATIONAL AGENCY ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION

UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year 2024

This award is presented to the Fire Service deemed outstanding in transforming the delivery of its services.

WINNER: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s mission is to make Essex a safe place to live, work and travel. They are continually raising their standards. From drone technology, to home fire safety visits to engaging with our communities, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have illustrated innovation across their Service, in their response, protection and prevention functions. This constant drive to serve their communities, from operational and support colleagues alike, demonstrates a commitment to their common goal – to be one of the best fire and rescue services in the country.

UK Police Service of the Year 2024

This is presented to a Police Service deemed outstanding in transforming the delivery of its services.

WINNER: Kent Police and Essex Police

The Kent & Essex Police Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) Team have implemented a ‘game changing’ DAMS product that revolutionises how digital assets are managed. What makes this team so special is not only the significant impact and benefits that DAMS has brought to both Police Forces and the public of Kent & Essex, but also that this is a multifunctional team, across two Police Forces and included teams from IT, Finance, Procurement, Criminal Justice, Digital Forensics and Information Management, demonstrating collaboration and team working at its best.

UK Council of the Year 2024

This award is presented to a council deemed outstanding in transforming its services and creating vibrant communities.

WINNER: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in. Becoming a dual authority transformed how they could achieve this – delivering services more effectively and efficiently, with improved knowledge sharing. But working together was just the start. They have used their size to influence and collaborate more widely, and our staff use this as a platform to relentlessly innovate and achieve better outcomes. This year alone, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have opened a business park creating 1,650 jobs and led pioneering environmental work. They are honest about their imperfections, but their desire to learn, reinvent, and solve problems with their communities drives them forward.

Hall of Fame Winners

The iESE Hall of Fame recognises organisations that have consistently aimed for excellence and set benchmarks for others over the years. They have continuously recognised and addressed challenges facing the industry, and they have gone above and beyond to transform their services for the better of their communities.

Winners 2024: