This year’s Council Group of the Year Awards were jointly presented by LGA Lib Dems and ALDC.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the LGA, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, presented the awards alongside Nick Clegg. There were also speeches from Mark Clare, Chief Executive of event sponsors Barratt (pictured, left) and new ALDC Chair Cllr Clare Hudson.
Here is a run-down of the winners on the night.
Green Council Group of the Year
Taking first place, Bedford Borough Council for their innovative Climate Change Fund, which has helped finance the installation of carbon-cutting technologies at community facilities across the borough. Joint winners with Bedford were South Lakeland Lib Dem Group, for their pioneering use of collective energy-awitching schemes to save residents hundreds of pounds per annum on their energy bills.
Resident Champion Award
The three joint winners in this category were the Lib Dem Groups from Lewisham, North Somerset, and Somerset County Council.
Efficiency and Service Transformation
Colchester Borough Lib Dem Group turned a loss-making council into a profit-making one. Generating income, boosting their local economy and creating jobs. An exemplary performance!
Community Safety
This year’s title went to Northamptonshire Lib Dem Group.
Campaigning Council of the Year
This award is chosen by ALDC to recognise excellence in campaigning. The winners this year are Hull Liberal Democrat Group, for their clear commitment to realistic targeting, agreed campaign goals, regular progress reviews and emphasis on meaningful (and targeted) voter contacts. Hull’s adoption of a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) system for monitoring progress across a number of key activities was particularly commended.
Opposition Group of the Year
A joint winning category this year, with Lib Dem Groups from both Cornwall Council and Wokingham sharing the honours.
Leader’s Award for Service to Local Government
Recognising over thirty-five years of public service to the people of Sussex, the Leader’s Award went to Cllr David Rogers of East Sussex County Council. A veteran campaigner, first elected in Brighton in 1977, and currently working doing great work on the Dilnot social care proposals.
Inspirational Council Group of the Year
With a parliamentary by-election in the bag and a fantastic record of action in every part of the borough, the Eastleigh Borough Council Lib Dem Group were recognised and celebrated for the inspirational role of their example for local campaigners looking toward May 2nd.
Council Group of the Year
The overall winner was Eastbourne Council Lib Dem Group.
Our congratulations to all winners and everyone who entered. As always, the field was strong and just goes to show how much valuable work Liberal Democrat Councillors across the country are doing for their local residents.
We are already looking forward to next year’s awards – it’s all to play for, so get campaigning and don’t forget to tell us what you’ve done!