Stockport Council and Solutions SK won one top award and were finalists in four other categories at the 2011 Association of Public Service Excellence awards.

Solutions SK's Schools Meals Service won the Best Efficiency Initiative, and the Council and Solutions SK - a wholly owned Council company - were finalists in the Best Service Team of the Year for its Domestic Waste & Refuse Service.  The Council reached the final in the Best Social Care Service category, and along with Trafford and Wigan Councils, were finalists in the Best Public Partnership category.

As the Council and Solutions SK were so successful, they were automatically entered into the Council of the Year category.

The Schools Meals Service offers high quality value for money school meals for just £1.85, one of the lowest priced in the North West.  The service works closely with suppliers to ensure consistent food quality, and provides extensive training for staff. 

Councillor Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, said: "The Council is committed to delivering excellent value for money front line services for residents. Despite the challenging economic climate we always strive to ensure service delivery is of the highest quality."

Nic Cox, Managing Director of Solutions SK, added: “Solutions SK and the Council as a whole have done extremely well in these awards which is testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of all our employees."

Pictured with awards at the newly-opened Vale View Primary School are, left, Councillor Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, with an Overall Council of the Year finalist award; and, right, Nic Cox, Managing Director of Solutions SK, with the winner of the Best Efficiency Initiative; pictured front holding trays of tasty food are pupils Teegan, aged six, and 10 year old Lewis; at the back, from the left, are Lisa Torres, Area Operation Manager, Schools Meals Service; Irene Jenkinson, Cook-in-Charge at Vale View; and Mark Capper, Group Manager, School Meals Service.