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The council is one of six UK local authorities shortlisted in the Best Workforce Initiative category for transforming its IT Division into a brand new Digital Services Division.

The change has been an essential element in securing the right Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) workforce that is required to meet the needs of the county borough’s residents, businesses and visitors.

Chris Owen, the council’s Chief Digital Officer, who led the initiative, said: “This isn’t just another rebranding exercise – it has required a fundamental change to our approach to successfully developing a new DDaT profession across recruitment, retention and development in this highly competitive, specialist area.”

The council is also shortlisted in the Best Service Team (Facilities Management and Building Cleaning Service Category) for delivering a quality cleaning service while striving towards a net zero carbon requirement.

Under the “clean green” approach, the council’s cleaning service has implemented a number of changes including the use of biodegradable cleaning chemicals, the purchase of electric vehicles and using vacuum cleaners made from up to 75% of high quality recycled materials with high efficiency motors to cut costs.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Operations Manager Shirley Freeguard said: “Taking action on climate change is key to the council’s Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) Strategy.

“We are helping to ensure the council’s transition to a low carbon economy while focusing on continuing to deliver a quality cleaning service and better job opportunities in a cleaner, greener working environment while also promoting staff health and wellbeing.”

Speaking about the Awards, Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said: "Across local government we have an army of unsung heroes going above and beyond to deliver for their local communities. Innovation and dedication is key to their success.

“The awards celebrate those contributions to the delivery of excellence on the frontline and striving to achieve continuous improvement in public service delivery”.

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt said: “Good luck to the council teams shortlisted for these awards which recognise the very best in local government service delivery - something the council always strives to achieve across all its departments.”

The APSE Awards, agreed by a panel of expert judges, are specific to frontline services provided by UK local authorities. This year, the Awards include 21 categories, covering the vast majority of local services.

The winners will be announced at the APSE Annual Charity Awards Dinner, in aid of Parkinson’s UK, on Thursday 14 September 2023 at the visitor attraction Titanic Belfast.