Geoff puts in an e-xcellent performance

09 May 2005

Please note: these pages contain archived information. Whilst the details were correct when first published, they may since have 'aged' and some of the information could be out-of-date. For this reason, links in the content of archive news stories have been disabled.

A prestigious award which recognises significant development in online Council services was awarded to Geoff Young, Woking Borough Council's E-Services Programme Director, at the Government Computing BT Awards for Innovation at Madame Tussauds in London.

The awards, which are organised by Government Computing magazine, are recognised as the prime accolades for those working on the electronic delivery of public services. They are a tribute to the people who have shown the imagination, focus and commitment to bring clear benefits to the public through the application of ICT (Information Communication Technology).

Geoff and Chris Eele from Woking CAB (Citizens' Advice Bureau) were both presented with Innovator of the Year awards for groundbreaking work which involved the Council giving CAB direct access to the Council's back office systems for Council Tax and housing benefits. This privileged access allows CAB to deliver a better service to their clients, who are often the most vulnerable in society.

There are six separate categories to the awards and all public sector organisations are eligible to enter projects they have successfully worked on. However, the Innovator of the Year is the only category of all the awards that does not have open nominations, as short listed individuals have to be recommended by the judging panel. It is a highly prestigious award which was won last year by Andrew Pinder, the Government's e-Envoy and Sir Peter Gershon.

Cllr Jim Armitage, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for E-Government, said: "I am really pleased that Geoff Young has been given this prestigious award which recognises his, and his team's, hard work and dedication. Woking Borough Council is a forward thinking and innovative authority and this award acknowledges our commitment to improving the ways in which we work and deliver better public service."

For further information about the project work that earned Geoff Young the Innovator of the Year award, please contact him on 01483 743260 or visit the Council's website at www.woking.gov.uk/wbc/ieg/e-innovations