Borough Life Spring 2006: Pop Stars honour council staff
‘Image of Wigan is amazing!’
While Carrie took time out to be with new baby Imogen, Borough Life caught up with David during a hectic programme of school visits.
And it turns out the singing star is no stranger to the town. He explained: “I first came to Wigan back in the late 70s to visit the Casino. The Wigan Casino was wicked by the way! I didn’t know a lot about Wigan at that time, although we all wanted to know how somewhere that was landlocked could have a pier.
“Driving through the town at the time I have to be honest and say it didn’t look like the kind of place that I would want to live. But looking at it today it’s changed so much. I’d go as far as to say that the image of Wigan is amazing!
“It’s clear that Wigan has made a habit of winning. Everyone is excited about the football team and its success. At the beginning of the season they were definitely the favourites to go straight back down. But they’ve proved everyone wrong and the dedication and team spirit is amazing. It’s the same kind of spirit the council has.”
And he had these words for the borough and its local authority. “The borough has set the standard for excellence and the question facing you now is about the direction you are headed in. You have achieved so much, but I think as a borough you can still go on to achieve even more.”
Fame academy stars honour council staff
Wigan Council is on a ‘ceaseless quest to learn from the best and move from being excellent to outstanding’, according to chief executive Joyce Redfearn,
Which is why the council has hosted a visit by two people who know all about teamwork and achieving goals.
Singing stars Carrie and David Grant hit the high notes in Wigan when they came to honour a top team of council employees and talk about improving performance.
The Fame Academy judges and Pop Idol vocal coaches, featured in BBC 1’s ‘The Sound of Musicals’, presented the council’s ‘team of the year’ prizes.
The awards showcase the achievements and hard work of staff, and recognise how they have led to continuing improvements in services for the borough’s residents.
Carrie and David spoke to the finalists on the subject of teamwork and how to best improve working together. They also visited Pembec and St John Fisher High Schools.
Council chief executive Joyce Redfearn said: “We want to improve even further, from excellent to outstanding. Carrie and David have done a lot with senior business managers on the subject of improvement, and we were so pleased that we could benefit from their expertise and enthusiasm. We made the most of their visit by involving young people who all share a common desire to take part and set themselves goals and aspirations.”
The council’s licensing team has been voted Metro ‘team of the year’. They picked up their award from David and Carrie in recognition of the way they’ve implemented the government’s new licensing laws locally.