Wealden DC

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council- owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself. Retention of staff with deep knowledge and understanding of the place and communities they serve is vital to delivering good council services, yet local government faces stiff competition for talent from both the public and private sector. In some key professions councils cannot compete with the private sector on pay but can offer other benefits that staff find valuable. This award seeks to recognise councils or groups of councils finding creative ways to retain existing staff in this challenging environment, either across the organisation or in one specific service area. This could include innovative benefits packages, staff recognition or engagement programmes. Judges will be looking for impressive staff retention rates as well as an original and creative approach that other councils could learn from, replicate or adapt for their own area. Entries should include: Data (including from the staff survey where applicable) demonstrating the effectiveness of the retention strategy has worked Evidence of actions and activities taken to create and deliver inclusive retention processes. The thinking behind the approach and how it was developed How the new approach sets you apart as an employer Evidence of positive impact on the wider organisation Any obstacles to introducing the new approach and how you overcame them