Schools in North Yorkshire have been recognised nationally for offering the healthiest and most nutritious meals in the country.
North Yorkshire Council’s catering team has won a national award for delivering the best choice of meals to schools in the region.
They beat fierce competition from other local authorities’ catering services to be crowned the best service team title at the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) annual charity awards dinner held this month (September).
The APSE awards recognise the very best in public services and this year’s awards received hundreds of nominations from across the UK.
Judges were impressed by North Yorkshire Council’s clear strategy and business plans, leadership, vision, the ability to consistently meet or even exceed customer expectations and future ambitions.
The authority’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:
“Huge congratulations to every member of our catering team.
"This national triumph reflects how our valued frontline North Yorkshire Council staff go above and beyond to deliver customer service excellence in what can be a very challenging operational environment.”
The council’s corporate director of resources, Gary Fielding, also praised the work of the team, which has won a series of awards during the past year.
Mr Fielding added:
“This award is well-deserved. I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of officers who have demonstrated a true understanding of the needs of schoolchildren by providing meals that are not only are delicious and nutritional, but visually appealing too.
"Congratulations to the team.”
The council’s catering team has achieved a remarkable turnaround within the last 12 months.
Facing spiralling costs and a trading deficit, the service has delivered a strategy involving frontline kitchen staff, schools, parents, carers, and children delivering increased meal uptake and customer satisfaction levels.
They serve more than 220 schools not just within the North Yorkshire Council area, but across the wider Yorkshire and Humber region and the Teesside area too.
The chief executive of APSE, Mo Baines, said:
“Across local government, there are a multitude of people working to deliver the very best for their local communities.
"At a time when national politics is dominating the headlines, it is more vital than ever that we acknowledge the dedication of our frontline service teams and the positive impact they have on their communities.”
Skipton charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising
Skipton Brass Band Conductor shines on Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors
New school observatory opens to inspire next generation of astronomers
Brave dippers raise more than £5,000 at Sue Ryder’s first Big Dip Dales
Tourism tax would be a 'hammer blow' for hospitality, says Skipton MP
New train timetables on Airedale Line from Sunday
An evening with Inbetweeners comedian in Silsden
Skipton named happiest place to live in the UK
Funding available to help rural community groups grow stronger and work smarter
Come say hello to Santa in Skipton
Friends of the Dales Launches ‘Eyes on the Skies’ Campaign to Stop Raptor Persecution
Sue Ryder's Christmas Treecycling scheme launched
Skipton MP praises 'tremendous progress' of £82.5million Kex Gill project
Skipton to feature in new North Yorkshire Calendar
Ermysted's to adopt new Year 7 Admissions Test
Accounting firm in Silsden celebrates 7 years in business
