Announcing the winners at this year's Local Government Awards Northern Ireland 2018

Councils throughout Northern Ireland celebrated yesterday as the nine award category winners of the 2018 Local Government Awards were announced. The event was hosted by Sarah Travers at the Armagh City Hotel.

The Awards are co-ordinated by NILGA and the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE), this year they attracted an unprecedented 78 entries and showcased brilliance in service provision, new initiatives and the personal commitment from councils, councillors, staff and partners.

 

NILGA President, Councillor Dermot Curran, commented, “

“Congratulations to the winners and to all the 11 Councils who took the time to submit entries into the 2018 Local Government Awards.

We’re almost a full electoral term on from the big changes to local government. A huge amount of hard work and vision has gone into modernising councils for local communities, businesses and visitors – as well as meeting needs of wider government and civic society.

As community impact grows and performance improves right across our 11 councils, these awards are testimony to how local government is truly at the hub of developing locally designed solutions to local need, as well as planning for a sustainable future. They also provide fantastic learning tools for councils, in an environment where every penny counts.

We can do things better by learning from the best. Excellence and efficiency are things that NILGA is passionate about, and it is reflected in our ambitious councils who are celebrating strong public services delivered through local people tonight”. 

 

APSE Chief Executive, Paul O'Brien, said,

"“Too often the creativity and dedication shown by those who work in frontline services goes unnoticed. This is why these awards are so important. They are a fitting tribute to the resilience and inventiveness of council staff across Northern Ireland who continue to work tirelessly to deliver first-rate services; going the extra mile to add real value to communities.

“Alongside NILGA, APSE understand that local councils are key to creating a better, more prosperous Northern Ireland. As these awards demonstrate, there is no lack of challenge and no poverty of ambition among local authorities.” 
 

 

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY SERVICE TEAM

Sponsored by the Association for Public Service Excellence [APSE]

Belfast City Council (Property & Projects Team)

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (Sports Services Unit)

Mid Ulster District Council (Maghera Leisure Centre Leisure Team)

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Mid and East Antrim Waste Team)

 

Winner: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Mid and East Antrim Waste Team)

?

 

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by the William Johnston Memorial Trust [WJMT]

Colin Agnew - Belfast City Council

Deynah Doherty, Council Choir - Derry City and Strabane District Council

Sean McKevitt, Neighbourhood Renewal Officer - Newry, Mourne and Down
District Council

 

Winner: Deynah Doherty, Council Choir - Derry City and Strabane District Council

?

 

BEST ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE BY A COUNCIL

Sponsored by Enterprise Northern Ireland

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (Investment Programme)

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Mid & East Antrim Food and Drink
Network)

Mid Ulster District Council (Mid Ulster Skills Forum)

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Digital NMD)

 

Winner: Mid Ulster District Council (Mid Ulster Skills Forum)

?

 

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY COMMUNITY PLANNING INITIATIVE

Sponsored by the Northern Ireland Branch of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers [SOLACE NI]

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Mid & East Antrim Dementia Friendly
Communities)

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Mid & East Antrim Support Hub)

Mid Ulster District Council (MUDC Community Planning Partnership)

 

Winner: Mid Ulster District Council (MUDC Community Planning Partnership)

 

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY ELECTED MEMBER
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Sponsored by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association [NILGA]

Ards and North Down Borough Council (Member Development Steering
Group - Developing the 21st Century Councillor Using Creative
Engagement)

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (Leadership Development
Programme for Elected Members)

Derry City and Strabane District Council (Member Development - A Key
Driver in Corporate Performance)

 

Winner: Derry City and Strabane District Council (Member Development - A Key
Driver in Corporate Performance)

 

BEST INITIATIVE BY A COUNCILLOR/ COUNCILLOR GROUP

Sponsored by the National Association of Councillors [NAC]

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (Leisure Membership
Turnaround Project)

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (Councillor Julie
Flaherty)

Mid Ulster District Council (Hong Kong Trade Visit to Mid Ulster)

 

Winner: Councillor Julie Flaherty - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council?

 

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY TOURISM INITIATIVE

Sponsored by Tourism Northern Ireland

Belfast City Council (Belfast Waterfront)

Derry City and Strabane District Council (Derry Halloween)

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Developing EPIC Experiences)

 

Winner: Belfast City Council (Belfast Waterfront)

 

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY BY A LOCAL AUTHORITY

Sponsored by Sustainable NI

Ards and North Down Borough Council (C.L.E.A.R - Community Learning
Environmental Awareness Responsibility)

Derry City and Strabane District Council (Environmental Stewardship)

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (Promoting Sustainability in Mid & East
Antrim Borough)

 

Winner: Derry City and Strabane District Council (Environmental Stewardship)

 

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGN & BUILD
CAPITAL PROJECT

Sponsored by Quarry Products Association NI (QPANI)

Mid Ulster District Council (Magherafelt Public Realm Scheme)

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Newry Leisure Centre)

Mid Ulster District Council (Seamus Heaney HomePlace)

 

Winner: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Newry Leisure Centre)

 

 

Notes to editors

The Local Government Awards Northern Ireland showcase the best examples of service provision, new initiatives and personal commitment from councils, councillors and officers. The awards show public recognition while awarding excellence in front line local government public services. The categories are designed to acknowledge innovation, individual commitment and to highlight the best working practices, while providing opportunities for those working within local government a chance to step forward and shine. 

The award winners were announced at the gala dinner which will follow the NILGA Annual Conference, to be held on Thursday 11th October 2018, Armagh City Hotel, Armagh – full details at www.nilga.org

For more information or to arrange for interview please contact  Mark Maher, NILGA, Tel: 028 9079 8972 Email: [email protected] or APSE Mo Baines on [email protected]