Beacon Council awards were set up by the Government to identify areas of excellence in local government from which other councils can learn. Ministers select service areas that directly impact the quality of life for local people and councils are invited to apply.
“When we were told that one of the themes for this latest round of Beacon Councils was Better Local Public Transport, we had to put in a submission,” said former Metro Chairman, Councillor Mick Lyons when the Award was announced in April 2004.
“Metro has already been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Integrated Transport Planning an Investor in People and awarded Chartermark status by the Government, as well as being judged PTA of the Year by our industry peers for three years running.
“I am delighted,” continued Councillor Lyons. “Achieving this award is a recognition of Metro’s determination to strive for continual improvement and the way those improvements are translated into better facilities and services for the people of West Yorkshire.”
Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said: "The essence of the Beacon Council scheme is to help raise standards in local government services and the awarding of Beacon status to Metro reflects a high standard of achievement in delivering Better Local Public Transport.
But Beacon Status is not just about recognising achievement. It is also about improving services everywhere and Metro will now play an important role in helping to spread this good practice to other local authorities."
The Minister has previously described Beacon Councils as making “a real difference to the quality of life in local communities,” and a way of recognising “the hard work of all the staff who are at the front-line of delivering services.“
In its submission, Metro cited examples of successes including the development of Guided Busways and new Bus Stations, the £18.7m it has secured for Yellow Bus services to schools across the county, the two ‘Centre of Excellence’ open days attended by transport professionals from across the UK and the high commendation of its £21m concessionary fares scheme by the Audit Commission.
“Achieving Beacon status is also a recognition of the good working relationships which Metro has with West Yorkshire’s five district councils, transport operators and other organisations,” added Councillor Lyons.
