Woking, Surrey -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/17/2011 -- Users of Aligned Assets’ gazetteer management systems have dominated this year’s National Gazetteer Exemplar Awards.

With entry open to public sector bodies across England and Wales, the Awards were designed to showcase best practice in the use of gazetteers, foster innovation, recognise and reward hard work in the local government community, and to provide a benchmark for quality and improvement.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council topped the winner’s rostrum by collecting two awards during the event in Nottingham. Their first award was as winner of the Financial category, with their ‘Big Bang’ project considered by the judges to be the best example of real financial savings through the use of the National Gazetteers.

Their second award was for the most improved Local Land and Property Gazetteer, which was an award that very much demonstrated the hard work and dedication of the whole team at Barnsley Council.

Also picking up an award was Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who won the Citizen Award for their ‘Risk Information Project’, which is having a direct and tangible improvement on both community safety and the ability to respond to incidents.

The Integration Award, was won by a partnership of public sectors bodies in the Greater Bristol area and included two Aligned Assets users, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset Councils, whilst also winning in the Integration category was Adur & Worthing Council who picked up the Best Practice award for their shared services, which is seeing substantial savings and a higher level of service to the public.

Other Aligned Assets winners included seven Best in Region Awards and 22 Gold Standard Awards, which led Managing Director of Aligned Assets, Dinesh Thanigasalam to say, “It’s fantastic to see so many of our customers gaining the recognition they deserve. There have been so many examples this year of how efficient and effective use of gazetteers can make a real difference.”

The National Gazetteers 2011 Exemplar Awards were presented at the 'Everything Happens Somewhere' conference and exhibition organised by GeoPlace LLP and held at The Albert Hall in Nottingham on 3rd November.

About Aligned Assets
Aligned Assets are an award winning, industry leader in gazetteer and address management solutions. They supply software across the public and private sectors including over 100 Local Authorities, Fire & Rescue Services and Police Forces. In addition to software and data solutions, they offer a complete range of consultancy, training, bespoke development and project management.