ESSEX County Council has won an award for corporate governance and has been highly commended in the Public Sector Partnership Award for the Essex Countrywide Traveller Unit.
The authority won the accolade at the Local Government Chronicle awards last Wednesday, after making the shortlist in five categories, including a nomination for Council of the Year.
Essex County Council leader Cllr Peter Martin, said: "Being given the award for corporate governance and being highly commended for our public sector partnership working clearly demonstrates the outstanding work and innovation of staff at the county council.
"It is great to see Essex continuing to be recognised on the national stage as a leading organisation. I would like to congratulate all ECC staff for their efforts that have enabled the authority to gain this national award.
"We have strengthened our corporate governance in recent years, which has been recognised by the Audit Commission."
Nick Golding, acting editor of the Local Government Chronicle, said: "It is increasingly important for councils to demonstrate accountability, responsibility and transparency.
"Essex's work in corporate governance shows the council is in the vanguard when it comes to achieving this. The council thoroughly deserved its award."
Being 'highly commended' for public sector partnership working, the council said, demonstrates the authority's desire to improve the health, education and social needs of the county's travellers.