Five organisations in the region have picked up prestigious Government Charter Mark awards for excellent public service.

Celebrating Ryedale District Council's building control department Charter Mark success are, front from left, Council Chairman Coun Arthur Aslett, and Les Chapman. Back from left are, Andy Boyce, Mark Collins, Kerry Clements, Maria Podgorski, Martin Elwick, Robert Harper, and Coun Allin Jenkins.

Celebrating their awards are: building control officers at Ryedale District Council; York's Trading Standards consumer advice section; North Yorkshire Health Care's primary services department; York and North Yorkshire Guidance Services; and Humberside Fire Brigade.

Building control staff in Ryedale serve a population of 48,000 people, ensuring that building regulations are followed in a predominantly rural area based around the market towns of Malton, Norton, Pickering, Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley.

District council leader Coun Alan Farnaby (Ind, Sheriff Hutton) said: "Staff are committed to the delivery of the highest possible standards of service across a wide range of responsibilities.

"We are delighted that the efforts of the building control team have been recognised."

York and North Yorkshire Guidance Services picked up the Charter Mark award for a second time, following success in 1996.

More than 40,000 people visit its career centres each year.

Bill Robb, manager of the York Careers Centre, said: "This award recognises the deep level of commitment shown by our staff who work together with students, their parents, schools and partners in the local community to make career guidance services more widely available to everyone."

York's Trading Standards consumer advice section was "delighted" with its award.

Liz Levett, trading standards manager, said that the team was the first service in the authority, and one of very few consumer advice centres in the country, to have received national recognition for its service.

She said: "Everyone has a real sense of achievement and pride and I'm so proud of my small team for their hard work and commitment."

The primary services department of North Yorkshire Health Care works behind the scenes supporting 1,000 health practitioners, including family doctors, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists who deliver care in the region. Services include calling patients for health screening, providing patient information, transferring medical records, arranging payments, complaints, training and education.

Humberside Fire Brigade's emergency service offers victim support for those suffering the traumatic aftermath of a fire. Its education programmes target young people and other fire prevention work is also under way in the community.

Chief Fire Officer Roy Williamson said that the award was a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone in the organisation.

Nationally, 789 organisations have won Charter Marks this year.

Winners collected their awards at a ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London today.

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