PIONEERING plans that are transforming the way that West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils operate have resulted in two national awards for 'council of the year' and 'delivering through efficiency'.

The local authorities were recognised on the national stage on March 4, receiving the gold award for 'delivering through efficiency' and the silver award for 'council of the year at the Improvement and Efficiency Social Enterprise Awards (iESE).

Executive director for service delivery and commercial development, Sophie Hosking, leader of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Philip Sanders, and leader of South Hams District Council, Cllr John Tucker, all attended the ceremony at Church House, London to accept the accolades.

The iESE awards celebrate councils who are developing new ways of working and transforming public service delivery to improve services and reduce costs.

Leader of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Philip Sanders, said: 'These awards recognise the determination and hard work put in by our staff to meet the challenges of diminishing central government funding, and thus future-proofing council services.

'I am delighted that the efforts of our staff and members have been rewarded by these awards, which are a national recognition of their success.'

Since 2007, sharing services has led the councils to substantial savings of £7.7 million, delivering a recurring annual saving of £1.7 million.

The councils are preparing to introduce a new working model to protect local services despite funding challenges.

This innovative approach, fit for the 21st century, reduces costs by re-designing services around the needs of customers — their residents and businesses — using new technology.

The radical transformation will be the most significant change in the way that the councils work for more than 40 years.

The councils' workforce will be smaller, with all staff roles changing to be more flexible and responsive to the needs of the customer.

Officers from different areas of the councils will work within communities to improve the service for the customer, and reduce the need for office accommodation.

Residents and businesses will also be able to access the councils' services online 24/7, with many of their transactions becoming fully automated.

Those who prefer will still be able to contact the councils in the traditional ways, such as by phone or visit.

Last year the councils' innovative transformational plans were endorsed by the government who awarded them £700,000 to further their new ways of working through the Transition Challenge Awards.