Awards

The Council has been recognised through several national award schemes for local authorities which reward good performance and practice. They can be for the council as a whole or for individual services.

Customer Services Excellence

We are committed to providing first class service for customers and this has been recognised with Customer Services Excellence accreditation for six of our teams:

• Registration Services - Achieved CSE on 16 October 2009
• Building Control and Planning - Achieved CSE on 25 November 2009
• Sports and Fitness - Achieved CSE on 8 December 2009
• Street Scene - Achieved CSE in December 2009
• Highways and Transport - Achieved CSE in March 2010

Customer Services Excellence is the new standard replaces the old Charter Mark accreditation and is a framework designed to help improve services

Green Apple Environment Award

The Council received a national Green Apple Environment Award paying tribute to the quality of its work to protect the environment and save businesses and schools money by cutting their energy bills.

Green Flag Awards

Green Flag Awards for National Standards for Parks and Open Spaces in England and Wales have been received for:

• Cambridge Gardens
• Hatherop Park
• Kneller Gardens
• Kew Green
• Palewell Common and Fields
• Radnor Gardens
• Richmond Green
• Terrace Gardens and Buccleuch Gardens
• The Kings Field
• Twickenham Green
• York House Gardens

Silver Gilt Bloom award

Richmond upon Thames won a Silver Gilt award in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition, after judges said the borough had ‘grasped the mantle of representing London admirably’ in its debut performance.

Two Ticks Disability Scheme

The London Borough of Richmond is committed to employing disabled people and has been awarded the Two Ticks Disability Symbol by Jobcentre Plus. Under this scheme the Council is taking action on five commitments to support the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees. Details about the Two Ticks Disability Scheme are available.

Self Directed Support

The Council was shortlisted for a Local Innovation Award in recognition of its innovative approach to helping local people take greater control over their care and support.

The Self Directed Support (SDS) scheme - which has placed the Council at the forefront of the national ‘personalisation’ agenda - has come in for particular praise, with over 1,200 residents now having more control and choice over how their needs are met through a ‘personal budget’.