The Monitor group is proud to launch the Regional Monitor Excellence Awards.
The awards have been developed to showcase and celebrate the very best in local innovation and best practice from across the UK. Partnering with the Times Public Agenda, the programme will focus national attention on the innovative work being carried out throughout the regions.
Focusing on areas including community regeneration, e-delivery of services and local transport, the awards will facilitate discussion and debate about best practice and service delivery throughout the country.
Commenting on this exciting new programme Dermot Finch, a key member of the judging panel and director of the Centre for Cities at the IPPR, said: “I’m delighted to be part of such a prestigious judging panel for these exciting awards – this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great work that’s taking place across the UK to improve the communities we live in.  These awards are particularly special in that the shortlist will be voted on by MPs; highlighting to Parliament the considerable achievements going on around the country at local level.
“I encourage everyone to get involved; from MPs championing ground-breaking projects in their constituencies to local government officials highlighting their successes”.
Craig Hoy, the publisher of the Regional Monitor, added: “The awards will recognise the fantastic work being done around the country, and will highlight the best practice that can be replicated in other regions. The fact that MPs will select the winners reflects the unique status of the awards and the importance of them.”

Excellence
The awards focus on 12 categories:

• Urban Renewal Award
• Community Safety Award
• Local Transport Solution of the Year
• Older People’s Initiative of the Year
• Youth Initiative of the Year
• Local Health Project of the Year
• Recycling Initiative of the Year
• Education Initiative of the Year
• Environmental Project of the Year
• Public Space Award
• Rural Project of the Year
• e-Engagement Project of the Year
Process
The programme launches on Monday 23rd April at www.monitor-group.co.uk and nominations for the awards can then be made by any MP, local councillor or other employee within a local authority. Nominators can make any number of different nominations in as many categories as they wish.
The entries will focus on best practice and how the project has positively contributed to the region.
An expert panel of judges will review the nominations and draw up a shortlist of three in each category.

Judges include:

Neil Kingham
Director general, local and regional governance group, Department for Communities and Local Government
Phyllis Starkey MP
Chair, House of Commons communities and local government select committee
Barry Sheerman MP
Chair, House of Commons Education Select
Committee
Kevin Barron MP
Chair, House of Commons health select
committee
Michael Jack MP
Chair, House of Commons environment, food and rural affairs select committee
Gwyneth Dunwoody MP
Chair, House of Commons transport select
committee
Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart
Chairman, Local Government Association
Jeremy Vine
Editor, the Times Public Agenda

Once the expert panel has chosen the shortlist, MPs will then vote on which projects they feel best deserve the award.
Culminating in a gala celebration in London on 30th October where the winners will be announced, the awards will recognise impressive work in the regions and promote achievement.

For more information on the awards or to nominate, see
www.monitor-group.co.uk or call
Jamie Colquhoun on 020 7091 7511