A LOCAL council has been named as one of the best councils in the UK.

Neath Port Talbot Council – which covers part of the Amman Valley and the Swansea Valley – has been shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year Award 2023, which is run by the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE).

The award recognises the best and most innovative local authority in the UK in terms of service delivery and will celebrate councils which are achieving excellent results in a wide range of service areas.

Neath Port Talbot Council is on the shortlist of eight councils from across the UK, and is the only one from Wales.

The council’s leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: “We are delighted the hard work, innovation and determination to continue providing vital local services has been recognised by being shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year.

“We’re pleased to see that this effort and local leadership has been recognised with nominations in APSE’s annual awards. Good luck to all those involved.”

Karen Jones, chief executive of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: “After what has been an extremely challenging few years for this and other councils, to be one of just eight councils shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year is a measure of our staff’s dedication and commitment, working with partners and volunteers, to delivering highly-valued services for our local communities, residents and businesses.”

Neath Port Talbot Council will be vying for the award with Cambridge City Council, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council, Derby City Council, Inverclyde Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Wigan Council.

Mo Baines, APSE’s chief executive, said: “Despite very serious ongoing pressures to frontline service delivery, the eight authorities shortlisted have demonstrated extraordinary levels of resilience and ingenuity in supporting local communities across the UK. Congratulations to each of our outstanding finalists - and good luck in Belfast!"

Neath Port Talbot Council is also in the running for two other awards. The council is one of six on the shortlist for Best Workforce Initiative for transforming the IT division into a brand-new digital services division, which the council says has been an essential element in securing the right digital, data and technology workforce that is required to meet the needs of the county borough’s residents, businesses and visitors.

The council is also shortlisted for the Best Service Team (facilities management and building cleaning service category) for delivering a quality cleaning service whilst striving towards a net zero carbon requirement.

The council’s cleaning service has been shortlisted for the award after making a number of changes including the use of biodegradable cleaning chemicals, buying electric vehicles and using vacuum cleaners made from up to 75 per cent of high quality recycled materials with high efficiency motors to cut costs.

The winners of the awards will be announced at the APSE 2023 awards evening in Belfast on Wednesday, September 13 and Thursday, September 14.