Jaguar Grabs Top Award

Pictured: Cllr Ron Round, Knowsley’s Member for Economic Development and Planning, with Phil Round (no relation!) from Jaguar Cars with the trophy

Car giant Jaguar Cars, based in Halewood, have come up trumps in this year's Groundwork Merseyside 21 Awards.

The car company won the Tony Bonner prize in recognition of an innovative scheme whereby Jaguar employees undertook a range of community based work with Knowsley Council as part of their re-training whilst their factory was being refitted.

Not only did the projects help employees to bolster their training and experience but they also proved of great benefit to the community. Projects included the creation of an outside learning area at a junior school, woodland and park improvement and gardening for elderly residents. Knowsley Council was applauded for its commitment to providing meaningful work for the employees. The Council was keen to support this project which had a real impact on local people and organisations. This unique public and private sector partnership helped form closer links between the local community whilst improving the borough's environment through the supply of additional resources.

Councillor Ron Round, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, expressed his congratulations at the award ceremony: “We were extremely pleased that we could work with Jaguar on such a beneficial project.”

“People and organisations right across the borough received help which enhanced their local environment. Jaguar workers had a real impact on local people and made a difference to them and their surroundings,” he added.

The project also won the Community Stewardship Award and was runner up in the Physical Environment Improvement Award.