Wirral Council has received national recognition with it being shortlisted for four local government awards, including "Most Improved Council."

The Local Government Chronicle Awards are open to all local authorities and aim to recognise and celebrate innovation, excellence and efficiency in local government during times of unprecedented financial pressure.

Wirral has been shortlisted for a record four awards also including "Efficiency,","Driving Growth" and "Entrepreneurial Council of the Year." 

The awards are shortlisted and judged by a range of chief executives from national and local government as well as major private sector employers.

Council leader Cllr Phil Davies said being shortlisted demonstrates how much Wirral has progressed: “The challenges and difficulties we have faced together during these past few years have been well documented.

"We sought and welcomed external challenge and scrutiny, through the Local Government Association Improvement Board, and the speed of our turnaround has been nothing short of exceptional – highlighted by the LGA as being the fastest of its type in the UK.

“The fact that we have now been shortlisted for ‘Most Improved Council’ is further validation that the hard work of our elected members, staff and partners is paying off and I am committed to making sure we maintain this momentum and become an outstanding council.

“I am delighted and extremely heartened that our hard work to transform this council is being recognised on such a significant scale.

"Within the current financial climate, it is more important than ever to be innovative and efficient when investing ever more scarce public resources."

Cheshire West and Chester Council is among five UK local authorities shortlisted for the prestigious award of "Council of the Year.".

Said council leader Mike Jones: “Even to be shortlisted is a wonderful achievement and testimony to a year of achievement throughout the borough.

“The realisation of hundreds of millions of pounds worth of badly needed investment in leisure, culture, retail and new schools in Chester, Northwich and Ellesmere Port, will bring, regeneration, jobs and a better quality of life for our people.

“And against a background of financial stringency we’ve managed to give our council tax payers a two-year freeze and find more money for our children in care, young adults with learning disabilities and the growing number of elderly residents who need our care and support.”

Judges will visit the council next month and Cllr Jones and chief executive Steve Robinson will be required to make an official presentation in London in March.

Mr Robinson said: “We are delighted to be in the shortlist for the major award – particularly as judges have already commended the high quality of entry in this category.

"It is a reflection of our progress as a council and the work done by all our staff."

CWAC could win a further seven awards for work which has had a positive impact on the lives of the residents of West Cheshire in 2014.