Councillor Claire Leitch wins 2021 Councillor Award

This evening, at the Awards ceremony that took place at Glasgow City Chambers and was streamed live on YouTube, Councillor Leitch won the Champion for Education Award. She was recognised for her determination and her representation of the youth voice in all decision making throughout the Council. Councillor Leitch was also celebrated for her work giving children and young people the power to shape council decisions.

Other winners of the night included Councillor Susan Aitken of Glasgow City Council who was awarded the Leader of the Year prize and Councillor Jackie McCamon of Dumfries and Galloway Council who walked away as the New Councillor of the Year. The full list of winners is included below.

The annual Councillor Awards is now in its 4th year and has continued to celebrate the best of local government. As communities continue to recover from the pandemic, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what local councillors do for their communities.

Competition was particularly tight this year with close to 100 nominations received. The winners were selected by a group of judges that included senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. 

This year’s Awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Cllr Awards. These councillors showcase the best of local government across Scotland. 

During a time when our communities have experienced unprecedented challenges and pressures, these councillors are paving the way towards recovery.

I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Councillor Leitch and all of tonight’s Cllr Awards winners.  We thank you for your service and look forward to hearing about your continued accomplishments in the future.”

Heather Lamont, Director of Client Investments at CCLA, said:  “We are proud to be the founding partner of the Councillor Awards. Working together with LGIU Scotland for the third year running, we always look forward to taking the opportunity to recognise and honour those leading across local government. This year has given the Awards new meaning. Local government has stepped up to the plate to deliver for communities across the country this year and we are honoured to stand alongside them.

Life as a councillor can be extremely rewarding – being at the forefront of positive community change. But of course, it's also extremely hard work, particularly in the current context.

The hard work done by councillors and council leaders behind the scenes to negotiate the best outcomes for their communities often never reaches the public eye. Which is why we think it's invaluable to set aside an evening each year to celebrate those achievements.”