Second win for council’s independent travel scheme

Issued by City of York Council

City of York Council has beaten off stiff competition to take a second prestigious national award last night (Thursday 5 September) for its scheme to promote independent travel for young people with disabilities.

This year, City of York Council submitted entries to five different categories of these awards, with each category attracting over 300 submissions. York Independent Living Travel Scheme (YILTS) was up against 375 entries which featured entries ranging from energy efficiency to catering, and was among nine shortlisted finalists.

YILTS enables young people with special educational needs to travel to their place of education using public transport, or by walking or cycling. The scheme also won a Guardian Public Services Award in 2010 in the Transport and Mobility category.

Last night City of York Council’s Education Officer Dave McCormick collected the prize from Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon at the ceremony in St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

Councillor Janet Looker, Cabinet Member for Adults, Children and Education, said: “The scheme is run brilliantly by Dave McCormick, Ruth Horner and Peta Hatton for young people across the city, and they deserve our congratulations.

“Every year, their work enables dozens of young people with special educational needs to gain an important element of independence which also boosts their confidence and life choices.

“If that priceless result isn’t enough, the scheme also helps the council save money with less dedicated school transport, often helping boost young people’s fitness and keeping vehicles off the roads with the many advantages that brings to air quality, cost and congestion. It’s obviously a winning combination!”

The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) has been celebrating best practice and innovation within the UK’s local authorities for the past 15 years.

The council schemes submitted for this year’s APSE awards were:

· York Independent Living and Travel Skills (YILTS) Service nominated for the award of the ‘Internal Service Team of the Year – Transport and Fleet Services’

· Staff Equalities Reference Group (SERG) nominated for the award of ‘Best Employment and Equality Initiative’

· York Consortium for Best Partnership Working initiative – ‘Public/ Voluntary Partnership working’

· Warming Up York for Best Housing & Regeneration Initiative

· Warming Up York for Best Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Initiative.

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