Why I don't like awards ceremonies...

Basically, because they are a money-spinning venture for the hosts.  This is how it goes:

-    You submit your bid for an award.
-    Bingo - you're shortlisted for an award.
-    'The winners will be announced at our gala dinner.'
-    'Every other company/school/council is paying for a table; so you might want to do the same.'
-    'That's £1200.'
-    'Plus drinks.'

And then there's the amazing array of prizes....

... most innovative council of the year
... most innovative council of the year in difficult circumstances
... most technologically exciting council of the year
... most ecologically friendly primary school of the year
... most ecologically friendly secondary school of the year

etc

We don't need prizes to tell us that we are doing a good job.  We need to believe in ourselves, based on achieving our aims and objectives - which we believe have been as aspirational yet realistic as possible.

Wake up guys.