A COUNCIL has retained a national award for employee development.

After being put under the microscope by an independent assessor, Burnley Council retained its Investors in People (IIP) Gold award for the third time running.

The assessment, which is held every three years, looks at a wide range of issues that cover the entirety of organisational development and ambition under the key categories of leading, improving and supporting.

Of the nine assessment areas, four were judged to be highly developed which means the council’s Gold status is at a high level.

Council leader Mark Townsend described it as a 'fantastic achievement' and said: “This is a testimony to the continuing hard work of our employees.

"It follows the recent peer review of the council which was also extremely positive about the work the council does, and the way it goes about it."

The accolade is the result of continuous improvement since the council first attained Gold status in 2012.

Cllr Sue Graham, the council’s executive member for resources and performance management, added: “The fact that Burnley Council is recognised as being among the best in Britain for developing its employees is a reflection of their dedication and pride in their work serving local people.”

The council has also retained its Health and Wellbeing IIP award which it’s also held for the past six years. This honour recognises the success of the council in the way it meets the physical, psychological and social needs of its 220 staff.