Competition hots up as thousands vote for the local government employee of the year

The Local Government Channel and LGA revealed the finalists of the first ever Employee of the Year Award for local government workers just two weeks ago and, in true X-Factor style, the public have voted in their thousands for the person they believe to be the public sector hero of 2006.

The latest up-to-the-minute poll places Garry Atkins, Senior Community Development Officer for Harrogate Borough Council in first position, narrowly overtaking Lynne Debazzi, Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Business Coordinator for Liverpool City Council, despite her early storm into the lead last week. Geoff Green, Special Service Librarian from Devon County Council has beaten off stiff competition from Julie Blagden, Neighbourhood Manager for Salford City Council to claim third position. Hot on their heels are Lyndon Elsey, Assistant Registrar of Cemeteries and Crematorium for the City and County of Swansea in fifth place, followed by Sue Butler, Environmental Health Technical Officer for Gosport Borough Council.

With the numbers so close and the votes continuing to roll in thick and fast there is everything to play for, so remember to show your support by voting for your favourite local government employee online at The Local Government Channel website ñ www.thelocalgovernmentchannel.com ñ or simply text LGA followed by the first name of the finalist to 88600*. In full support of the Employee of the Year Award, ex-bin man turned X-Factor star Andy Abraham has kindly agreed to give away fifty copies of his recently released album ñ ëThe Impossible Dreamí. Voters will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a copy.

Canít decide who to vote for? Visitors to the website will now be able to view a short film about each of the six finalists and their work and, this week, The Local Government Channel ñ Sky 181 ñ will begin broadcasting highlights from the films from 6.30pm Monday to Friday and at midday on Sunday. Thereafter, a different finalist film will be shown each week right up until the LGAís Annual Conference in Bournemouth (4th ñ7th July 2006), where the winner will be announced on the final day of the event and presented with a cheque for 500.

In addition, the Community Channel ñ will screen the films on Sky 539/Telewest 233/Freeview 87 (6-9am) and NTL 14 and 511 until the final day of the conference.