Celebrating RSN Member Success at the LGC Awards 2025

The Rural Services Network is delighted to celebrate the achievements of our member councils who were shortlisted or recognised at this year’s Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards — a flagship event celebrating innovation and excellence across the local government sector.

With over 20 RSN member councils represented across numerous award categories, the results showcase the energy, ingenuity and impact that rural and semi-rural authorities bring to public service — from health and housing to community involvement and economic development.

A huge congratulations to our winners and highly commended members:

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Winner: Children’s Services (Our Place)
• Northumberland County Council – Winner: Economic Development (Multi-billion pound data campus)
• Lancashire County Council – Winner: Innovation (Pause and Reflect Fostering Arrangements) and Highly Commended: Large Team of the Year (Refugee Integration Team)
• Suffolk County Council – Winner: Small Team of the Year (Flood Investigations and Grants Team)
• Staffordshire County Council – Highly Commended: Campaign of the Year (Little Heroes) – this category was sponsored by evouchers, one of our Rural Services Partnership members

And here’s the full list of RSN member councils shortlisted this year:

Campaign of the Year

• Staffordshire County Council – Little Heroes

Children’s Services

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Our Place
• Northumberland County Council – Our children’s services are outstanding
• Westmorland and Furness Council – Getting to Good and Beyond

Community Involvement

• Norfolk County Council – REDI team with Parent Champions
• Wealden District Council – Community Orchards

Digital Impact

• Lichfield District Council – Transforming the resident experience
• North Northamptonshire Council – Digital Front Door to Children’s Services

Diversity & Inclusion

• Westmorland and Furness Council – Welcome to Work in the Visitor Economy

Economic Development

• Northumberland County Council – Multi-billion pound data campus

Environmental Services

• Mid Devon District Council – Increasing recycling and reducing fly tipping and litter

Future Places

• Staffordshire County Council – Staffordshire Warmer Homes

Health & Social Care

• Lancashire County Council – Step-Down Pilot

Housing

• Oxfordshire County Council – Better Housing Better Health Partnership

Innovation

• Lancashire County Council – Pause and Reflect Fostering Arrangements
• East Cambridgeshire District Council, East Suffolk Council,and West Suffolk Council – Transforming Revenues Services
• North Northamptonshire Council – The Chester House Estate

Large Team of the Year

• Lancashire County Council – Refugee Integration Team
• North Northamptonshire Council – Public Health Team

Medium Team of the Year

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council – Making a Change Team
• Norfolk County Council – Relocation, Ethnic Diversity & Integration
• South Kesteven District Council – East Midlands Building Consultancy

Most Improved Council

• East Hampshire District Council

Net Zero

• Northumberland County Council – Warmer Homes Programme
• Westmorland and Furness Council – 2024: the First Year in Our Journey to Net Zero

Outstanding Individual Contribution

• Northumberland County Council – David Green

Public Health

• East Suffolk Council – Healthy Homes
• North Lincolnshire Council – Roots of Hope
• Oxfordshire County Council – Better Housing Better Health Partnership

Public/Private Partnership

• Staffordshire County Council with partners – Staffordshire Warmer Homes

Rising Star

• South Kesteven District Council – Fran Beckitt
• Melton Borough Council – Jazz Gallocker

Small Team of the Year

• Suffolk County Council – Flood Investigations and Grants Team
• Lancashire County Council – Homes for Ukraine
• Norfolk County Council – Tech Skills for Life Community Tech Coaches
• Oxfordshire County Council – Cost of Living Support Team

Could your council share its story?

We’d love to hear from any shortlisted or award-winning teams who’d be interested in showcasing their work at our events or in our upcoming Delivering for All case study series. Get in touch if you’d like to be featured.

You can explore the full list of winners and finalists on the LGC Awards website:
LGC Awards 2025 Winners