Eastbourne Borough Council’s finance team ‘Highly Commended’ at MJ Awards

The team received the commendation following the MJ Awards evening in London on June 19.

The MJ Awards are awarded to ‘celebrate the stars of Local Government’.

The commendation acknowledged the council’s ‘exceptional progress in rebuilding financial resilience’.

The judging panel said: "The Eastbourne Borough Council Finance Team has delivered a remarkable turnaround, exiting Exceptional Financial Support ahead of schedule through disciplined programme governance and bold service reform.

"Their Strategic Finance Programme combined asset optimisation, transformation and meaningful community engagement to restore resilience, rebalance the budget and rebuild long-term financial sustainability.”

Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of the Council, said: “To be highly commended at the MJ Awards is a testament to the commitment of staff across the organisation.

“Our strategic finance programme has transformed how we work, how we plan and how we engage with our community.

“Ending EFS a year early is a remarkable achievement and central to the financial turnaround we’ve delivered.”

Councillor Daniel Butcher, Cabinet Member for Finances, Resources and Community Wealth Building, added: “This national recognition is richly deserved. Our finance team has shown extraordinary professionalism and determination in the face of immense pressure.

“Their work has stabilised the council’s finances and put the authority on a firm footing as we prepare our budget for next year.”