Bournemouth Cleaner is through to the finals of the Council Worker of the Year Awards and needs your votes

Please go to the LGC website to cast your vote! 

Bournemouth Cleaner reaches the final of the Council Worker of the Year Awards

Bournemouth cleaner, Bill Kavanagh has been shortlisted for the Council Worker of the Year Awards 2008.

Representing Bournemouth Borough Council's Housing Landlord Cleaning Team, Bill, who has supervised the team for six years, has been shortlisted in the category of 'Team of the Year'. The Council is now urging you to vote to help him win first place.

Bill helped transform a 'problem' service into a highly successful, flexible one. As well as cleaning 208 Council blocks, the team inspects for disrepair, graffiti and vandalism and provides 24-hour emergency support.

The finalists are being announced today by the Local Government Channel, in association with the Local Government Association.

41 finalists from councils across the UK have been shortlisted from a record 350 entries for 7 awards. Categories include Innovation, Leadership, Care and Commitment, Lifetime Service, Team of the Year and Bravery.  The special category of Flood Response has been added following last year's freak weather.

BBC presenter Jeremy Vine will announce the winners on 3 July at this year's LGA annual conference at Bournemouth International Centre. The winners will receive a trophy and £250.

Gary Josey, Head of Housing Landlord for Bournemouth Borough Council said:

"Bill Kavanagh and the Cleaning Team give valuable support to the Housing Team and go out of their way to help tenants resolve their problems. The cleaning team?s dynamic and creative approach to their work has endeared then to the tenants, most of whom know their regular cleaners by name. They always go the extra mile and I would encourage Bournemouth residents to help them to win this prestigious award by voting."

Bill Kavanagh said; "This nomination is a symbol of my team's dedication, commitment and hard work."

Jeremy Vine, host of the Council Worker of the Year Awards, said: "Council workers so often get blamed for everything. These awards are fantastic because they show the standards being set by people who really understand what public service is. It's not about politics, it's sheer hard work that will scoop these awards."

Vote for Bournemouth Council's Housing Landlord Cleaning Team via the website www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards or via SMS to 80039 quoting LGATV 6 Bournemouth. Voting closes at 12pm on 3rd July 2008.