Conservative-Led West Lindsey District Council Scoops Top National Award

West Lindsey District Council which helped 130 young people to find jobs is celebrating after becoming the only local authority to win a prestigious UK Social Enterprise Award.

The national competition, organised by the Social Enterprise Coalition, recognises the work and achievements of the UK's most inspiring and successful social enterprises.

West Lindsey District Council was crowned Social Enterprise Partner of the Year at the UK final of the Social Enterprise Awards which took place at The O2 in London hosted by actor and comedian Alexander Armstrong. The Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, was also at the event to present one of the seven awards.

The Council was nominated by a social enterprise in its district called Hill Holt Wood in recognition of its support for local social enterprises.

Together the partners worked with the Future Jobs Fund to help youngsters - some at risk and some excluded from school - into jobs including forestry assistants, gardeners, joiners, sawmill operatives and furniture makers.

West Lindsey's Chief Executive Manjeet Gill said: "We are an entrepreneurial council and that philosophy means we have a strong commercial and social conscience and it is very encouraging that many people have told us that they hope more local authorities will embrace the way we are working.

"Lots of people do similar things to what we have done, but I believe we have won this award because we have involved so many other people in our vision, plans and future challenges."

Karen Lowthrop of Hill Holt Wood said:

"I had no hesitation in nominating West Lindsey for this award because as an organisation they delivered far more than we could have expected. From the Chief Executive down they understand social enterprise and can see the opportunities of partnership. I am looking forward to working with the Council on many more projects."

Peter Holbrook, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition said:

"Congratulations to West Lindsey District Council on their win. The Social Enterprise Coalition received a record number of responses to this year's awards so to have come out on top is a truly remarkable achievement. We hope the partnership between West Lindsey District Council and Hill Holt Wood will serve as an example to other local authorities of the benefits of working closely with social enterprise."

Celebration to Mark the Success of the Future Jobs Fund

A special celebration event will be held next month to mark the success of the Future Jobs Fund .


So far a staggering 49 people have been placed in jobs since October - thanks to the Future Jobs Fund scheme.

West Lindsey District Council received £585,000 from central Government to create the jobs after Gainsborough was considered 'an unemployment hotspot'.

Mrs. Nicoya Palastanga, Employment and Skills Project Manager, was delighted with the success so far. She said:

"The event will celebrate the successes of those who have been employed through Future Jobs Fund, their qualifications, personal achievements, and there will be some fun awards too.

"Hopefully it will give some additional recognition for the organisations who have worked with these individuals and contributed to the success.

"It is an ideal opportunity for everyone to get together with significant partners, to see what everyone has been doing."

The event, which is the first of its kind in Lincolnshire, is being held at Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney on Wednesday, 12th May 2010.

Hill Holt Wood and West Lindsey District Council have been working in partnership to successfully deliver FJF since October 2009.

A wide variety of jobs have already been created as part of the scheme.

These include forestry assistants, gardeners, joiners, sawmill operatives, Solar PV engineers, farm assistants, rangers, traffic management assistants and many more.

Mrs. Palastanga said:

"Rather than creating jobs and then filling them, we look at the individuals who come through the door and try and create their job that will fit their experience and skills."

Mr. James McQuiston, of Washingborough, has secured a two-year contract with Freewatt, a renewable energy company, which specialises in solar pv systems.

He was part-trained through an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer but the company he was working for closed. He said:

"I actually applied for a gardening assistant job as I was applying for anything just to get some work.

"If it was not for Lucy Picksley the Future Jobs Fund Coordinator at the council I would not have got this job."

Mr. McQuiston will start college in September as part of his training and on completion he will be a fully qualified Part P electrician and a photovoltaic (pv) installation engineer. He added:

"I am so happy. I would definitely urge people to keep applying for jobs - you never know what will come up."

James welcomed the idea of going to the celebratory event. He said:

"I think it is a great idea - it will be a good opportunity to meet other people who have been successful through the scheme."

Mr. Gary Dixon engineering manager at Freewatt said James has really taken to the job.

He said:

"FJF is just what we needed. We are a small upcoming company and to start employing people we have to get it right. With James coming in it gives us the opportunity to train him up.

"Not only has the FJF scheme benefitted James it has also suited us as well."

West Lindsey Council has just 18 months to deliver 90 new jobs as part of the Future Jobs Fund scheme, but the news shows they are on track to meet the target.

Mrs. Karen Lowthrop, Chief Executive Officer of Hill Holt Wood, said:

"Social Enterprises have been identified as a key partner in delivering Future Jobs Fund programme in partnerships with local authorities.
"The work of social enterprises contributes greatly to economic development in the most deprived areas as well as the broader welfare agenda.

"Hill Holt Wood has a history of delivering employment skills and training to the most excluded groups and are pleased to be working with WLDC."

The event in May will last for most of the day and will include many activities for the Future Job Fund employees.