Following much anticipation, the finalists of Birmingham City Council's (BCC) prestigious Chamberlain Awards 2011 have been revealed. 

The Chamberlain Awards scheme, which was established by Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, is named after Joseph Chamberlain - one of Birmingham's most respected Civic Leaders and is designed to reward BCC workers who go the extra mile to ensure that people of Birmingham receive quality services. 

Now in its seventh consecutive year, the flagship awards scheme received nearly 200 nominations across ten diverse categories.

Finalists for 2011 include the Be Active Project Team which encourages fitness within the community, the Selly Oak New Road Railway Bridge Team which, despite extreme weather conditions, successfully completed the heaviest concrete bridge move ever undertaken in Europe and the Papal Visit Team, who helped organise the historic visit of the Pope to Birmingham, an event that was broadcast to over 1.5 million people worldwide.  

One of three finalists in the Equalities and Community Cohesion category is Alf Dimmock, Senior Ranger for Parks and Nature Conservation. Demonstrating his commitment to the community, Alf has presented a weekly 'Out & About' programme on Unity FM; a community radio station serving the needs of some of the most deprived areas in Birmingham, inviting listeners to join together and become involved in a wide range of community projects. 

Additionally, Alf works closely with the Birmingham Ramblers Association, encouraging local residents to use the city's green space as a way to stay fit and healthy, whilst also launching several walking groups across Hall Green and Selly Oak, which welcome people of all cultures and ages. 

Nominations in each category were sought internally, with shortlisted entries agreed by an appointed panel of eight judges from BCC and chaired by Councillor Alan Rudge. 

Councillor Rudge said: "The finalists in this year's Chamberlain Awards have shown sheer determination and a caring attitude that really makes a difference to the local community. Their achievements highlight how the work done by Birmingham City Council employees has a direct and very real impact on both the city itself and the local residents.

"Since the awards scheme began, it has always attracted a high calibre of entrants and this year the competition is stronger than ever. The awards celebrate those employees who have gone far beyond their roles to make important and beneficial contributions to the communities in which they work and it is a pleasure to read so many inspiring stories." 

Award submissions were received under ten categories, including Working with Communities, Imaginative Teamwork and Dynamic Leadership. The general public were also invited to nominate their favourite team or member of staff in the People's Choice for Service to the Community category. This award provides people, who do not work for BCC, with the opportunity to nominate the team or member of staff that they believe most deserves recognition.

The Midlands businesses community remains very supportive of the awards initiative and sponsors already showing their support include: Penna, The Co-operative bank, Service Birmingham, Wing Yip, Deloitte, Turner Townsend, Brakes, PWC.

The highly anticipated annual ceremony, where the winners of Chamberlain Awards 2011 will be announced, is due to be held at Birmingham's International Convention Centre (ICC) on 11 November.