Wakefield Council’s procurement team was rewarded at Grosvenor House Hotel last week for making sure it gets the best value for money for the city’s folk.

It was announced as winner of the sustainable procurement award in the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal Sustainable Communities Awards 2008.

Coun Graham Stokes, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said: “The award recognised the work that the team has done to use the council’s spending power to benefit the district.

“This includes engaging with local suppliers to improve their ability to win council contracts, putting in place contracts for locally produced food and ensuring, where possible, that contracts provide social benefits.

“And we’re thrilled to be recognised nationally for all our efforts and successes in providing value for money for the district's citizens.”

The council battled against some top competition as Barnsley Council, London Borough of Croydon, the Central Services Agency and London Borough of Tower Hamlets were also finalists in the category.

The awards celebrate public and private service providers that are increasingly working in partnership to improve communities both now and in the future.