A council has won an award after it used new software to enable residents to access support throughout the pandemic.

Blackburn with Darwen Council received the gold award and first place in the Digital and Technology category at this year’s national Public Sector Transformation Awards ceremony. 

The council was nominated for the award together with 17 other UK councils and became one of three shortlisted finalists back in March.

Their submission for the award highlighted the use of a new digital customer platform to enable residents and businesses to access support and services quickly and easily online, especially supporting those who have had to self-isolate.

It also highlighted how the council utilised new software to manage large amounts of data to plan and predict their support to the local community throughout the pandemic.

The iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards celebrated their 12th anniversary on September 8 at Church House in Westminster, London where strategic director of resources, Paul Fleming and lead service designer Joanne Grime attended the ceremony.

On the night, they took home the gold award for Digital and Technology on behalf of the team, for their digital approach to the pandemic.

Mr Fleming said: "We are hugely proud to collect the gold award for Digital and Technology on behalf of the amazing BwD team.

"They stepped up in the hardest of times to make a difference to lives through digital technology.

"This award and recognition will inspire current and future team members to continue to deliver great things."

Deputy leader of the council and executive member for digital and customer service, Quesir Mahmood, said: "What a fantastic achievement this is, our high performance and continuous improvement ethos as a council allows us to provide the best service and the amazing work of our dedicated team shines through – congratulations to everyone in the BwD team."