Chief executive Rob Bridge has revealed that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has been shortlisted for two major awards – including that of “most improved council”. He gives details, in a report to board members on March 19, of the shortlisting success for the awards hosted by the Local Government Chronicle.
1: Campaign of the Year – Recognising the success of the communications campaign for the Tiger Pass, which has engaged residents across the region and driven significant awareness of lower cost bus travel.
2: Most Improved Council – Acknowledging the authority’s progress in delivering better services, strengthening public engagement, and enhancing transparency.
He said: “The LGC Awards celebrate excellence in local government, highlighting innovative and impactful work. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, 11th June.
“This shortlisting is a testament to the Combined Authority’s strategic communications approach and ongoing efforts to connect with communities effectively.”
Tiger on Demand – Demand-Responsive Transport
- The rural transport service has completed over 4,359 trips, transporting 5,412 passengers.
- Community engagement and a promotional campaign have driven significant adoption.
Tiger Pass – Affordable Bus Travel for Youth
- Over 40,000 passes have been issued, with 1 million journeys completed.
- A new feedback campaign is being launched to improve the service further.
Tiger Routes – Bus Network Expansion
The Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards are one of the most prestigious accolades in the UK for local government, celebrating innovation, leadership, and excellence in service delivery.
Chief executive Rob Bridge (pictured next to Mayor Dr Nik Johnson: “This shortlisting is a testament to the Combined Authority’s strategic communications approach and ongoing efforts to connect with communities effectively.”The awards recognise councils and combined authorities that have made a significant impact on their communities through forward-thinking policies, effective governance, and successful project implementation.
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Shortlisting – LGC Awards 2025
Out campaigning with Labour councillor Alex Bulat – ‘well received news on concession bus pass travel all day coming May (pre 9.30), improving bus network, continued £2 bus fare cap and Tiger Pass, £1 fare for Under 25s’ PHOTO: Nik JohnsonThe Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has been shortlisted for two major categories in the LGC 2025 Awards, highlighting its efforts to improve public services and engage with residents effectively.
- Campaign of the Year – Tiger Pass
- The CPCA’s Tiger Pass initiative has been nominated for “Campaign of the Year,” recognizing its impact in promoting affordable bus travel for young people across the region.
- The campaign successfully engaged residents and increased awareness of the Tiger Pass, which offers £1 bus fares to young people, encouraging public transport use and improving access to education, work, and leisure.
- The live judging presentation for this category is scheduled for 27th March 2025.
- The nomination reflects the CPCA’s strategic communications approach and its ability to connect with the community through meaningful and effective public engagement.
- Most Improved Council
- This nomination acknowledges the significant progress made by the CPCA in enhancing service delivery, improving governance, and increasing transparency in decision-making.
- The CPCA has focused on better public engagement, streamlined operations, and developed policies that directly benefit residents, making substantial strides in transport, infrastructure, economic growth, and skills development.
- The live judging presentation for this category will take place on 1st April 2025.
- The recognition demonstrates the CPCA’s commitment to continuous improvement and its efforts to become a model of efficiency and responsiveness in local government.
LGC Awards Ceremony – 11th June 2025
The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced at a formal awards ceremony on Wednesday, 11th June 2025. This event will bring together local government leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to celebrate outstanding achievements in public service.
Update on bus reform progress in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The CPCA’s shortlisting is a strong endorsement of its commitment to excellence and innovation in local governance. Regardless of the final results, the nominations alone showcase the positive impact of its initiatives and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of residents in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
How Are the LGC Awards Judged?
The judging process is rigorous and involves senior local government figures and industry experts. It typically follows these stages:
- Shortlisting
- Councils and combined authorities submit detailed applications showcasing their initiatives, backed by measurable impact data.
- Judges review applications and select finalists based on criteria such as effectiveness, innovation, public benefit, and sustainability.
- Live Presentations
- Shortlisted candidates present their projects to a panel of judges.
- They must demonstrate impact, efficiency, and potential for replication in other local authorities.
- For CPCA in 2025, these presentations are scheduled for:
- Campaign of the Year (Tiger Pass): 27th March 2025
- Most Improved Council: 1st April 2025
- Final Decision & Awards Ceremony
- Winners are announced at a high-profile ceremony attended by local government leaders.
- The 2025 ceremony will be held on 11th June 2025.
Why the LGC Awards Matter?
- Recognition of Excellence: Helps councils showcase their achievements nationally.
- Encourages Best Practices: Highlights strategies that other councils can adopt.
- Boosts Public Confidence: Demonstrates commitment to improving local services.
CPCA’s shortlisting for Most Improved Council and Campaign of the Year (Tiger Pass) in 2025 is a strong endorsement of its progress and public engagement strategies.
CPCA’s Competitive Edge in 2025
✅ Infrastructure Development – Investment in local transport (e.g., Tiger Pass initiative).
✅ Digital Transformation – Adoption of smart city solutions to streamline public services.
✅ Economic Growth – Supporting local businesses and job creation programs.
How CPCA Can Win:
- Showcasing measurable progress (e.g., job creation stats, increased ridership on public transport).
- Highlighting resident impact stories to demonstrate meaningful change.
- Demonstrating financial and operational efficiencies.
2. Campaign of the Year – CPCA (Tiger Pass) vs. Past Winners
This category celebrates public engagement campaigns that drive positive change.
CPCA’s Tiger Pass Campaign Strengths
✅ Encourages Sustainable Transport – Reduces reliance on private vehicles.
✅ Public Accessibility Focus – Makes travel affordable and convenient for residents.
✅ Data-Driven Strategy – Utilizes ridership analytics to improve service delivery.
How CPCA Can Win:
- Showcasing user adoption rates & impact (e.g., increase in public transport use).
- Demonstrating how the campaign changed public behaviour.
- Presenting creative engagement methods (social media, events, partnerships).
Final Thoughts – CPCA’s Winning Potential
CPCA has strong chances in both categories if it can effectively showcase real-world impact. Past winners have succeeded by emphasizing measurable change, innovation, and public engagement—key areas where CPCA’s work aligns well.
