Cambridgeshire County Council’s people and teams have been recognised at the council’s “Oscars” for their outstanding achievements in helping to deliver the council’s vision and priorities, whilst also role modelling its values during an evening of celebration.
The third annual Spotlight Awards took place at The Cambridge Belfry in Cambourne last night (Tuesday 10 March), with the shortlisted finalists, award sponsors and invited guests in attendance.
The awards shine a light on council workers whose dedication, creativity, and commitment are demonstrated every day by consistently going the extra mile for residents, communities, and for their colleagues.
There were 179 nominations from across all services of the council, from which the judging panels produced a shortlist of 36 individuals and teams.
This year featured a new Members’ Choice award with nominees nominated directly by elected councillors.
The Team of the Year award was won by Sensory Services - a small team within Adult Social Care, supporting visually impaired adults to live independently.
The team was recognised for its person-centred, professional, and transformative work, which has prevented reduced or delayed the need for ongoing care in 94.1% cases and improving independence and wellbeing in 100% of cases.
Other successes acknowledged at the event included the Swaffham Prior Heat Network Team, for creating a lasting change, Cambridgeshire Skills, for their work in empowering individuals in our communities to reduce inequality, and the council-wide team of volunteer Mental Health First Aiders for helping to create a safe, caring and supportive workplace for their support colleagues.
The winners of the 12 award categories were:
- Team of the Year - Winner: Sensory Services Team
- Colleague of the Year - Winner: Lizzie Wakelin, Business Operations Manager
- Compassionate Leader of the Year – Winner: Sindiso Baloyi, Team Manager for Children in Care
- Greener Award – Winner: Swaffham Prior Heat Network Team
- Fairer Award – Winner: Cambridgeshire Skills
- More Caring Award – Winner: Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) Team
- Inclusion and Belonging Award – Winner: Coroner’s Service
- Collaborative Award - Winner: Will Plant, Senior Programme Manager: Digital Inclusion
- Accountable Award - Winner: Emma Nederpel, Strategic Business Support Manager
- Respectful Award – Winner: Thomas Clarke, Procurement Manager
- Excellence Award – Winner: Andrew Stoter, Library Support Services Manager
- Members’ Choice Award – Joe Gilbert, High Impact Use Service Manager
Lizzie Wakelin, Business Operations Manager at the council, received two nominations, highlighting her exceptional technical brilliance, resilience, and dedication.
After receiving her award Lizzie said: “I’m thrilled to have won the Colleague of the Year award and to have received such kind feedback from the colleagues who nominated me.
“My team has had an exceptionally busy year and faced numerous challenges but I’m so proud of how much we have achieved.
“I wouldn’t be receiving this award if it wasn’t for all of their support.”
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “To have one evening of the year where we celebrate the contributions from all these individuals and teams is truly wonderful.
“It was especially exciting to have the new Members’ Choice Award, which shines a light on the positive partnerships between officers and members.
“Cambridgeshire is very fortunate to have so many exceptional people dedicated to make our county a greener, fairer and more caring place to be.”
Dr Stephen Moir, Chief Executive of the county council, who hosted the awards ceremony, said: “The Spotlight Awards focus on the remarkable work taking place across the council every single day.
“So much of that work happens quietly, behind the scenes, yet it has such a meaningful, positive impact for residents, communities and our colleagues alike.
“A heartfelt congratulations to all our finalists and winners. You’ve shown us passion, creativity, dedication and the very best of what we can achieve together.”
The awards are entirely funded by our generous sponsors. Their support ensures we can celebrate these inspiring achievements.
This year’s headline sponsors, Faerfield and Octavius Infrastructure, as well as our award sponsors: Balfour Beatty Living Places, boxxe, ECON Engineering, Moving Up, Opus People Solutions, and Smoke Free Digital.
