LGiU Scotland and investment fund CCLA have recognised the councillors who make the biggest difference to their local areas in the 2019 Councillor Awards.

The prize for Leader of the Year went to Cllr John Alexander of Dundee City Council.

Alexander led the Council’s response in turning an old Michelin factory in the city into a multi-million pound global innovation centre. He also ensured Dundee became the only city in the UK with a mandatory living wage.

Cllr Joe Fagan of South Lanarkshire Council walked away with the New Councillor of the Year prize and Cllr Chris Cullen of South Ayrshire Council was honoured with the Urban Community Champion Award. This year’s Champion for Education was Cllr Fay Sinclair of Fife Council.

Cllr Sinclair from Dunfermline was honoured for her work securing funding for a new community learning centre and ensuring children with adverse childhood experiences are recognised in education policy making.

Cllr Robert Aldridge of City of Edinburgh Council was given the Lifetime Contribution Award.

This year marks the second year that the Awards have been showcasing the achievements of councillors across Scotland. Competition was extremely tight again this year with nearly 100 nominations received, a record amount for the Awards. The winners were selected by a group of judges made up of local government experts and councillors.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGiU, said:

We are incredibly proud to unveil this year’s Councillor Award winners, a group of individuals who truly showcase the best of local government.

Their work to make our communities safer, stronger and healthier so often goes unrecognised. That is why it is important that we honour them this evening.

We would like to thank all of the winners tonight and those shortlisted for their commitment to local government. We look forward to hearing more about their continued accomplishments in the future.

Image: LGIU