Press Release

Council’s Commitment To Investing In People Recognised

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The hard work and dedication of Derry City Council’s Leisure Services staff will be acknowledged on Saturday 18th November, by the Mayor at a ceremony in the Guildhall to recognise their Investors in People Award achievement.

The Mayor and John Meehan at the Investors in People reception in the Guildhall. The Award was presented to Leisure Services.

Representatives from the Council’s Leisure Services received the award following a formal presentation at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday 14th November 2006 at an Investors in People Recognition – Celebration Event organised by the Department of Employment and Learning. Previously a range of assessments had been carried out to make sure Leisure Services in the council area met the Investors in People standard.

The Mayor, paying tribute to everyone involved, said the Investors in People award is a significant achievement and acknowledges the skills and development of Leisure services staff in the Council.

In order to achieve Investors in People recognition an assessment was carried out to ensure that the Council’s Leisure Services met the Investors in People standard. Staff at all of the Council’s leisure facilities, including Templemore Sports Complex, the City Baths, Brooke Park Leisure Centre, St. Columb’s Park Leisure Centre, Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre and the Brandywell Sports Centre, were all included in the process.

The Mayor commented:

“ This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in Leisure Services. Receiving an Investors In People Award highlights the standards of service we have attained. It is a significant boost to the Leisure Services and to its staff, who have worked hard to reach this high standard. The Council remains committed to maintaining these high standards across the service.

“I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the leisure services sector has been recognised through this award. It reflects the importance which leisure services has within the wider range of council facilities.

The Investors In People Award is a business improvement initiative designed to advance an organisation's performance through its people. The standard was devised in 1990 by a partnership of leading businesses and national organisations. It helps organisations to improve performance and realise objectives through the management and development of their people.”

John Meehan, Director of Development said; “I believe it is important for the Council to strive to provide the best possible service. Providing the public with a high quality leisure service is the Council’s most important objective. The leisure services staff have proved what can be achieved with hard work and commitment and we will be illustrating the benchmark required for services in this sector.

“I am delighted that Council has outlined its clear commitment to workforce development. I would hope that the ceremony will be the start of a process for the Council and will not be seen as a culmination of this project, but rather the beginning of a sustained commitment to long term performance through employee development.”

Ends

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