Brighton councillor shortlisted for national award

Councillor Daniel Yates, who represents Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, is in the running for the Health and Care Award at the Councillor Achievement Awards.

He has been shortlisted for the national award two years after becoming chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Yates, a chartered physiotherapist, said: “At a time when council funding is being cut…and councils (across) the country are facing massive service cuts, it is great to see that councillors are still trying to innovate to deliver better and more effective services.”

The annual awards are organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), a think-tank for councils and councillors.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the LGiU said: “Councils play a crucial role (in) keeping our communities connected and safe.

“Despite ever tightening budgets, they ensure that essential services are delivered on the ground, day after day.

“It is for this this reason that we are proud to unveil the shortlist for our eighth annual Councillor Achievement Awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of councillors across England and Wales.”

Competition was extremely tight. Award organisers received more than 200 nominations before shortlisting Councillor Yates.

The event is sponsored by the City of London Corporation and the Mears Group. Chief executive and town clerk of the City of London Corporation is former chief executive of Brighton & Hove City Council, John Barradell.

Winners will be announced at the awards night in London on Tuesday 7 November.

By Clare Calder