Isle of Wight Council staff and services have received national recognition after being shortlisted in this year’s Municipal Journal Achievement Awards.

The Isle of Wight Council is the only authority out of over 400 across the country to be shortlisted for five awards.

The accolades showcase the very best in people, projects and practice across the local government arena.

The council has been shortlisted in five categories:

• Care and health integration.

• Best council services team — commercial services.

• Corporate director of the year — director of adult social services, Dr Carol Tozer.

• Rising star — head of strategy and operations, Kathy Marriott.

•Senior leadership team.

John Metcalfe, council chief executive, said: “This really is fantastic recognition by our local authority peers of the big improvement journey we are on and the very real progress we are making across the council.

“While it would be nice to win one of the awards, just being there is external acknowledgement of the amazing strides our staff have made over the last few years on behalf of our community.”

The MJ Awards ceremony on June 26 is one of the major events within the public sector calendar.

Each category is judged by influential commentators from the private and public sectors.

Heather Jameson, editor of The Municipal Journal, said: “The MJ Awards is a chance to recognise the extraordinary work of local councils across the country.

“Despite facing huge cuts to their budgets over the last decade, frontline staff are still working tirelessly to improve their communities and provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in the country and that is to be celebrated.

“Being shortlisted for five awards is a major achievement and the Isle of Wight Council should be proud of its achievements.”