Salford City Council and Urban Vision Scoop Top PPP Award

Salford City Council and Urban Vision have been awarded the Public/Private Partnership of the Year accolade at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2008.

Beating off five other finalists for the title, Salford City Council and Urban Vision picked up the award for the work of the Salford Construction Partnership (SCP), a multi-agency organisation that harnesses the combined expertise of public sector construction, training and educational bodies, private sectors and developers in Salford.

Since its inception in 2003, the SCP has achieved considerable success, placing almost 700 unemployed Salford residents into sustainable construction jobs in the city. A further 288 local people have been placed into construction apprenticeships; a move which has saved almost £8 million per year in government benefit payments.

It was this innovative approach that impressed the judges of the awards, which culminated in a presentation ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Monday 17 March, opened by Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Paul Mallinder, Director at Urban Vision commented: "Urban Vision is a joint venture between Salford City Council, Capita Symonds and Morrison Highways Maintenance and as such we have a strong understanding of public, private partnerships and the impact that a combined commercial and public sector approach can bring to solving social and community problems. Not only has the work of the SCP and all those involved helped to address the very important issue of the construction industry skills gap. But it has also helped to change the lives of many Salford residents and given them a sense of ownership of the regeneration of Salford; a fundamental requirement in the creation of sustainable communities. Winning this prestigious and nationally recognised award is fantastic for all those who have worked with, and benefited from the SCP."

Emily Kynes, Strategic Manager of employability at Salford City Council said: "We are proud and delighted to have been recognised for our achievements; the SCP is a wonderful example of true partnership working. All those involved have worked hard to provide the right training and support; developing skills and ensuring that Salford's residents can be involved in the transformation of their communities."