South Staffordshire Council was named Planning Authority of the Year – West Midlands at a prestigious event in Birmingham.
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards, which took place at Millenium Point on Friday (June 30th), named South Staffordshire the winner of the accolade after it was among just two local authorities shortlisted for the award.
The other to be shortlisted was Birmingham City Council.
South Staffordshire Council was also awarded the Chair's Special Award on the evening for the way its planning team has worked to develop and nurture staff talent.
Each year the RTPI Awards celebrate planning excellence on a national scale to acknowledge the positive contribution that planning professionals make to the communities they serve.
Councillor Roger Lees, leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: “I am extremely pleased that we have been recognised as a council that delivers a first-class planning service in the region.
“The success of a wide-ranging service review has put South Staffordshire firmly on the map when it comes to a comprehensive and inspiring planning offer - from applications to appeals, planning enforcement and the Local Plan.
“Our collaborative approach to preparing a Local Plan which will deliver much needed affordable housing, whilst leading on a county-wide approach to tackle climate change, together with specialists in the fields of housing and environment have made South Staffordshire Council planners a truly outstanding team.
“It is wonderful to see this acknowledged by such a prestigious body – and to win the Chairman’s Special Award too was absolutely the icing on the cake.”
All the West Midlands Regional Awards local winning entries will now be put forward for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence national awards.
The national shortlist will be announced on October 9th, and the winners will be honoured at a celebration ceremony taking place in London on November 21st.