Hampshire County Council’s assistant director for strategic development in children’s services and adults’ health and care was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours list 2020.

Peter Colenutt, from Chandler’s Ford, received his MBE for his role in the national Education Building Development Officers Group (EBDOG).

The group has existed for many years and is made up of local authority officers and property professionals.

It is responsible for school place planning, and effective asset management of school and other educational premises within local authority areas.

Mr Colenutt said: “I was very shocked and humbled to receive a letter to tell me I was to be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

“I was chair of the Education Building Development Officers Group from 2013 to 2017 and continue to sit on the executive as vice-chair.

“I am hugely grateful to the councillors and officers of Hampshire County Council who have supported me in this important national role.

“The group works closely with the government’s Department for Education, striving to influence national policy to help improve the outcomes for all children across the country.”

Hampshire County Council is the education authority for more than 540 schools of all types across the county.

These range from pre-school to senior schools, and EBDOG is responsible for ensuring children here, as well as nationally, all have school places.

This includes advising local authorities that new classrooms are commissioned when they are needed.

County council leader Cllr Keith Mans said: “We are delighted for Peter.

“We have benefited significantly from his experience and expertise over the years in managing our capital programme budgets.

“He has also ensured available funding is appropriately prioritised to maintain buildings for children’s services and adults’ health and care.

“This extends to planning and making provision for additional school places, working with colleagues in property services on our school expansion and new school building projects, to ensure we are able to provide a school place for all children in Hampshire.”