SOUTHEND Council has been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold standard for investing in their staff.

The council joins the top 7% of IIP accredited organisations across the UK who demonstrate how they are investing in their staff.

Investors in People is a worldwide accreditation for business improvement which promotes the highest standards of managing people.

Rob Tinlin, chief executive of Southend Council, says: “This is fantastic news and testament to all the hard work and dedication of so many people from across the organisation.

“The Gold Standard shows that the good practice from our Silver awards have been deeply embedded in the organisation and now developed even further to the higher standard.

“Most importantly it demonstrates how we continue to be an excellent organisation and a good employer doing the very best for our staff and ultimately local people. I am immensely proud of this achievement and want to thank all staff that helped earn this accolade.

“We will not rest on our laurels and we are already working on an action plan following the IIP assessment which will help to further grow the success of the organisation in the future. We remain firmly committed to our aim of being an excellent organisation for the people of Southend.”

The news follows the council being awarded Silver status in 2010 and the re-accreditation in 2013.