Link4Life and their partners Rochdale Borough Council and the Impact Partnership have been named the best local government partnership in the UK after winning a prestigious national award.

Despite strong competition, the trio were named as 'Public Private Partnership achievement of the year' at one of the top annual awards presented by local government magazine The MJ (Municipal Journal).

The award follows a positive independent review by the Audit Commission this year which concluded that 'local people are benefiting from the contribution of the strategic partners.'

Council Executive Director Pam Smith said: "We are thrilled to be recognised and collect this award on behalf of all the staff who have helped make it happen. Despite a challenging social and economic climate this strong partnership has helped us to achieve better outcomes for our residents, whilst securing investment and new jobs for local people. We know there is a great deal more to do, but this award is a sign that we are succeeding."

Craig McAteer, Managing Director of Link4Life added: "This award recognises how partners, working together, have used their resources and expertise to bring huge benefits to customers of council services."

Link4Life and Impact were set up to provide strategic partnerships with the council to drive forward improvements in local public services.

Impact Partnership was established in 2006 as a joint venture between the council, Mouchel and Agilisys, providing highways, property, business and customer services. Link4Life, the Rochdale boroughwide cultural trust, was set up in 2007, to develop new and improved arts, entertainment, sports and leisure facilities across the borough.

The award was presented in London by politician and broadcaster Michael Portillo. The London Borough of Merton was highly commended, and the other finalists for the award were Breckland District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Leicester City Council and npower, and the London Borough of Croyden.

Photograph: Front, left to right: Pam Smith, Executive Director, Rochdale Borough Council; Roger Ellis, Chief Executive; John Taylor, Head of Sport and Leisure, Link4Life; and Chris Lavery, Managing Director, Impact Partnership and with colleagues