DERRY City and Strabane District Council have been nominated for no less than four accolades in the 2020 Local Government Awards.
The annual awards provide an opportunity for local Councils to showcase excellence and innovation in service provision, new initiatives and personal commitment from councils, councillors, staff and partners.
The projects which impressed the judges this year include the Youth 19 Programme and the Multi-Agency Support Hub, both of which have been highlighted within the Best Local Authority Community Planning Initiative category.
While the Member Led Multi-Departmental Initiative on Bonfires has been shortlisted among the candidates within the Best Local Authority Elected Member Development Initiative category.
The final selection is a special project aimed at tackling some of the environmental challenges faced by local councils – Combatting Climate Change.
Speaking ahead of the Awards, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, wished the local nominees the best of luck in the competition.
“I am delighted to see four such important Council led projects gaining recognition,” she declared.
“All are deserving winners and I want to congratulate the teams behind the successful delivery of these schemes.
“The Youth 19 team have been engaging widely with young people across Derry and Strabane, helping to motivate and empower them with an impressive programme of events and activities.
“The member led Bonfire Initiative has been very successful in developing a multi-agency approach to inform and support communities when dealing with issues around bonfires.
“The Combatting Climate Change Project is just one of a number of innovative interventions being made by Council in keeping with our commitment to protecting and enhancing the local environment.
“And the Multi-Agency Support Hub, led by the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, has provided a life line for many seeking advice and support within the local community.
“The NILGA Awards provide a great platform to highlight just a few of the wide spectrum of programmes and projects being delivered by local authorities that make a difference to people’s lives every day.
“I wish everyone the very best in the competition.”
Nominees were judged by an independent panel, and over 60 nominations were submitted across eight categories.
Council will find out if it has been successful when the winners are announced at the Gala Awards Recognition Evening following the annual Local Government Conference, ‘The Future of Local Government’ hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, on Thursday 20th February 2020.
A full list of all the shortlisted projects can be found at www.nilga.org
