Powys County Council has been recognised for its ‘outstanding leadership’ in a prestigious housing award ceremony.
The council’s private sector housing service came away from the CIH Cymru Welsh Housing Awards 2011 with the Outstanding Leadership by a Local Authority title. The service beat other short-listed candidates Conwy, Flintshire and Rhondda Cynon Taff.
It was the only private sector housing service to be short-listed in any of the categories in this year's awards.
The council won for its work involving the provision of interest free loans to bring empty properties back into use and to facilitate energy efficiency improvements within private sector housing.
Cllr Tony Thomas, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “To come away with the Outstanding Leadership title when we were up against some very good councils is a huge success and I’m delighted we have picked up this prestigious award.
“This title is just reward for the innovation, enthusiasm and hard work our private sector housing service team has put in to get these schemes up and running.
“It’s not every day you come away with an award but our success clearly demonstrates that we are onto a winner with our interest free loan schemes here in Powys. We are clearly leading the way in Wales in regard to improving private sector housing. ”
PICTURE: Members of Powys County Council's private sector housing team receive their award.