Beacon Award

Stafford Borough Council has received a glowing award for improving its services to the public.

The authority has won a Beacon award from the government for a special partnership with nine other Staffordshire councils.

The partnership's successes include a new telephone system - the largest of its kind in the UK - which makes it easier for members of the public to contact their local council.

People can also now pay for a range of services - including paying council tax and planning fees - over the internet thanks to the development of the councils' websites, and also via automated telephone systems.

The partnership, called Staffordshire Connects, also introduced a special internet directory, which makes it easier for officers from the different councils and police to contact each other quickly.

'We are delighted to have won the award as part of the partnership as it is recognition of how councils can work together across Staffordshire to benefit their communities,' said Councillor Judith Dalgarno, Leader of Stafford Borough Council.

She added: 'The partnership does not end here, however, and we will continue to improve services for people in Stafford Borough.'

The Beacon award was presented by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the Transforming the Delivery of Services Through Partnerships category.

The partnership, called Staffordshire Connects, consists of the following councils: Stafford Borough, Staffordshire County, Stoke-on-Trent City, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Tamworth.