By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland,
not affiliated to the BBC LDRS
Rutland County Council’s Finance Team Wins Prestigious National Award for Excellence
Rutland County Council’s Finance Team has earned top national honors, taking home the Finance Team of the Year award at the MJ Achievement Awards 2026.
Recognised among the most competitive and prestigious accolades in local government, the MJ Achievement Awards celebrate innovation, excellence, and measurable impact across councils nationwide. Rutland’s victory places the council alongside the absolute best in the public sector.
The award was secured through the council’s winning submission, "From Challenge to Confidence: A New Era of Financial Sustainability." The entry highlighted a remarkable transformation in Rutland's financial strategy over the past 18 months, driven by the need to secure long-term stability and resilience.
Judges praised the team for pioneering a new financial operating model that fundamentally reshaped how financial decisions are made across the entire organization. In their official citation, the judges described Rutland's team as "a high-performing team setting a benchmark for modern local government finance," highlighting their strong leadership, innovation, and forward-thinking vision.
The transformation was built on a series of strategic initiatives that modernised the council's financial framework.
Three-Year Cash Limits introduced to provide greater financial stability and longer-term planning horizons.
Key Lines of Enquiry (KLoEs) developed 12 distinct KLoEs to drastically improve the understanding of service demand and operational costs.
Technological modernisation, upgraded financial systems through advanced cloud technology and automation.
Streamlined reporting, delivered sector-leading accounts timetables to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Cultural shift, successfully embedded a culture of shared financial responsibility across the entire council.
Reflecting on the milestone, Cllr Andrew Johnson, Rutland County Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources, commended both the finance professionals and the wider organization.
"We are incredibly proud that our Finance Team has received this national recognition. Winning an MJ Achievement Award is a fantastic achievement and reflects the professionalism, innovation and dedication the team has shown in strengthening the Council's financial sustainability."
Cllr Johnson also emphasised that the success was a collective effort.
"While the Finance Team has led this transformation, it has only been possible through the commitment of colleagues across the council who have embraced new ways of working and taken shared ownership of our financial future. This award demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together, and it is something the whole organisation can be proud of."
Ultimately, the national recognition underscores more than just technical financial expertise; it highlights a collaborative blueprint that protects essential services for local residents while enabling the council to plan confidently for the future.
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