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The charity – which is closing after facing what it called “a perfect storm of financial challenges” – went ahead with its annual Womenspire Awards 2023 at the Atrium in Cardiff on Thursday, October 12th, 2023.

Neath Port Talbot Council won the charity’s Fair Play Employer award for its work in driving forward the equality agenda.

The charity said of the council: “The authority is committed to making a life better for its residents and aims to create a place where people want to live, work and bring up their families – a place where everyone has an equal chance to get on in life. 

“One of its published core values is ‘We will celebrate diversity in all of its forms and work tirelessly for greater equality in all of our communities.’  The organisation is certainly driving change and delivering on its commitments.”

Cllr Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “As a council our aim is to work towards creating a fairer society, improving public services and addressing deep-rooted inequalities in order to improve people’s lives.

“So we are happy our commitment towards this aim has been recognised and that those at the awards evening heard from Chwarae Teg that the council is not only driving change but also delivering on its commitments.”

Lucy Reynolds, the Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg, said: “I am delighted the Womenspire Awards have taken place this year as the stories of our winners and inspirational finalists are ones that deserved to be shared far and wide.

“Many may know that Chwarae Teg will sadly be coming to a close. I can’t thank the team at Chwarae Teg enough for all their hard work in bringing the awards forward at a time which is very challenging for them all personally.”

Sheenagh Rees, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Head of People and Organisational Development told HR staff: “The award recognises the steps the council is taking to improve gender equality and acknowledges a range of actions supported across the team.

“The Ment2be Mentoring Scheme and the Menopause Action Plan were highlighted in the submission for the award, but it also reflected our flexible working practices, and the leadership we show as a team to the council in creating a better and fairer working environment for all.

“Some amazing women and organisations were alongside us as winners, so it really did feel like quite an honour. Well done to everyone, you should all feel very proud.”

The Chwarae Teg awards evening was presented by Andrea Byrne of ITV Cymru Wales and Welsh actor and presenter Elin Pavli-Hinde.

Earlier this year, Neath Port Talbot Council was one of eight UK councils - and the only one in Wales - shortlisted for the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Overall Council of the Year Award 2023. The award was won by Wigan Council.