Douglas Borough Council’s Parks Service has been selected as a finalist in the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) 2016 awards in the Best Service Team: Cemetery and Crematorium Service category.

In a reference to the ‘high calibre’ of entries APSE chief executive Paul O’Brien said: ‘Despite the issues local government faces at this present moment, it is wonderful to see such exciting projects being carried out by so many dedicated people. These finalists are a credit to their councils and their communities.’

Regeneration and Community Committee Chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘Our Parks Service is to be congratulated for reaching the finals of this year’s APSE service awards. The team’s achievement is all the more remarkable given that they were up against stiff competition from six other councils, all larger than Douglas: Bournemouth, Cardiff, Conwy, Nottingham, Peterborough and Sandwell.

‘January 2016 saw the completion of the Council’s £2.9 million project to refurbish the Borough Crematorium and Cemetery, throughout which the team demonstrated their customary sensitivity and professionalism when serving the community. I am delighted that Parks Service’s consistently high standards of delivery of such an essential front-line service have been acknowledged by their peers.’

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘Local authorities are having to work smarter and deliver more for less: in this Douglas is leading the way in the Isle of Man and our Parks Service is to be congratulated for achieving great things. Entrants were required to present best practice case studies so to have become finalists demonstrates the service’s commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and willingness to adapt to new economic realities.

‘The team’s vision and dedication have seen Douglas consistently successful in achieving Green Flag status for many of its open spaces, and now selected as an APSE awards finalist. It is extremely gratifying to learn that the Council’s operational expertise, strong teamwork ethic and commitment to excellence have been publicly recognised by such a respected champion of local authorities.’

The Council’s Parks Service was also recognised in the APSE 2013 awards Best Service Team Parks, Grounds and Horticultural category.

Category winners will be announced in Derry at the APSE annual service awards charity dinner on Thursday September 8.