The Local Government Information Unit has announced the shortlists for this year’s Councillor Awards, as it celebrates the commitment of the current and future crop of local government leaders.
Across England, Wales and Scotland, councillors have been shortlisted for awards, which cover five categories:
- Leader of the Year
- Community Champion of the Year
- Innovator of the Year
- Young Councillor of the Year
- Lifetime Legend
Nominees or the Leader of the Year award come from around the country, including Oldham Council’s Cllr Arooj Shah and Cllr Matthew Hicks from Suffolk County Council
The community champion award has a shortlist of five nominees, with these including Cllr Rahima Farah from Liverpool City Council and Cllr Louis Gardner of Cornwall Council.
Innovation across local government is also being celebrated through the Innovator of the Year, with Cllr Mark Alrfey from Erewash Borough Council and Lewisham Council’s Cllr Amanda de Ryk among the nominees.
The awards will also look to the future of local government leadership, as it celebrated those young councillors that have made an exceptional impact in their communities. Nominations for that award include City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cllr Chris Burden, and Cllr Minesh Parekh of Sheffield City Council.
From the future, to the present, five councillors have also been nominated for the Lifetime Legend award for their contributions to local government. These nominees include Cllr Steve Swift of North Lincolnshire Council and Cardiff Council’s Cllr Lynda Thorne.

Commenting on the shortlists, Local Government Information Unit Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West said:
“The judging panel was blown away by the number of extremely high-quality nominations this year, with councillors up and down the country going the extra mile for residents. The shortlist for the 2024 Cllr Awards contains the most devoted elected representatives in England, Wales and Scotland.
“With councils operating under enormous pressure, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors achieve in the places we live. Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”
Winners from England and Wales will be announced at London’s Guildhall on the 20th November, with Scotland’s winners being unveiled at the Edinburgh City Chambers on the 14th of that month.
Also nominated for the Leader of the Year award were former Public Sector Executive Podcast guests Cllr Liam Robinson and Cllr Peter Marland from Liverpool and Milton Keynes City Council’s. You can listen back to their episodes below.
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