Two council services up for prestigious industry awards
Staff from two Wirral Council services have been shortlisted for prestigious industry awards, recognising the positive impact they have had on residents.
The Active Wirral Leisure team is a finalist in the Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative category at the APSE Service Awards, while the Cemetery and Crematorium Service has been shortlisted for Best Service Team of the Year: Cemetery and Crematorium.
Active Wirral's nomination recognises its work on Kit Link. It is a sports recycling scheme that gives Wirral residents the opportunity to donate, recycle and reuse new and used sports equipment and clothing.
The scheme helps adults and children across the borough who may otherwise be unable to take part in sport and physical activity because of the cost of equipment and clothing. It has stations in six Wirral Council-run leisure centres, the Wirral Watersports Centre and eight schools.
Since December 2024, Kit Link has generated an estimated £93,700 in social value by redistributing more than 6,300 items. The initiative has helped extend the lifespan of sports equipment, reducing waste and carbon emissions.
During 2025-26, the redistribution of 4,733 items generated an estimated 14.2 tonnes of carbon savings, demonstrating how community initiatives can make a positive contribution to climate action.
Meanwhile, the council's Cemetery and Crematorium Service recently received the Gold Standard Award under the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management's Charter for the Bereaved.
The Gold Standard award recognises excellence in customer care and the provision of clear, accessible information for bereaved families.
Wirral received scores of more than 90% for the service it provides to residents which reflects the high quality of work delivered by staff members.
The team is hoping to bring home the honours for a second time after winning in 2018.
The APSE Service Awards will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool, on 16 and 17 September.
