Wakefield Council’s Highways and Environmental Enforcement Team have scooped a prestigious national award.

The recognition came from the Association for Public Service Excellence awards (APSE), with Wakefield Council awarded Best Community & Neighbourhood Initiative for the Highways and Environmental Enforcement Team team’s work to crack down on fly-tipping.

The team were recognised for their innovative and successful use of deploying trackers in fly tipping rubbish and organising stings in partnership with WDH and West Yorkshire Police, leading to the seizure of vehicles and prosecution of those involved in fly-tipping.

Wakefield Council were also finalists in the Overall Council of the Year in Service Delivery, Best Workforce Initiative and Best Service Team categories.

The APSE Awards are specific to frontline services provided by UK local authorities. The awards are agreed by a panel of expert judges. This year, the Awards included 22 categories, covering the vast majority of local services.

Cllr Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “I am delighted that the Council has won this important award, nationally recognising the success our Highways and Environmental Enforcement Team have had in reducing the amount of fly-tipping across our district.”

Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Health, said: “Fly-tipping is a real nuisance and costs the Council £200,000 a year to clean up, so I am really proud of our staff for their efforts and for always looking to improve and provide the best service to our residents.”

Residents can report fly-tipping online here