Disciplines covered by the Government Business Awards include outsourcing, environmental innovation, safety and, of course, security.
The Public Sector Security Award is bestowed upon the local authority or central Government project that gives due consideration to security in the enhancement of the safety of staff and residents alike.
It’s for this reason that the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) decided to sponsor this category for the 2011 Government Business Awards.
Those shortlisted for the Public Sector Security Award this year “outlined the true contribution security solutions make to the protection of local communities”.
Salford City Council takes the plaudits
Wandsworth Council, Wakefield Council, Redbridge Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Salford City Council made up the final shortlist for 2011.
Salford City Council emerged as the overall winner for its initiative designed to merge information from local CCTV cameras with data from the National Land and Property Gazetteer and tackle crime in the area.
BBC News journalist Bill Turnbull and the NSI’s operations director, Kay Aitkin, presented the award to David Walsh (Salford Council’s operational services manager) at a well-attended Twickenham luncheon on 17 February.
Aitkin welcomed the high priority the finalists had given to security.
“The public sector is currently facing many economic challenges,” explained Aitken. “By making a considered investment in security, all those shortlisted have made a statement as to how much they value their local societies and local businesses.”
To find out more about the work of the NSI visit the website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)