A Green councillor from Brighton and Hove has won a national Young Councillor of the Year award this evening (Wednesday 1 December).
Councillor Amy Heley, who chairs Brighton and Hove City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, tweeted: “Really shocked and honoured to have won this award and huge congratulations to all the other shortlisted young councillors who I admire so much.”
Councillor Heley accepted the award remotely as the organisers said that the judges “were impressed by the impact that she has made since being elected in 2019, particularly on environment and travel issues”.
They added: “She has been instrumental in changes to travel infrastructure, such as cycle lanes, a school streets project and the redesign of Madeira Drive.
“Her championing of disabled access to active travel options was also praised by the judges.”
The awards are in their 12th year and are organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and the specialist fund manager CCLA.
LGIU chief executive Jonathan Carr-West said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Councillor Awards.
“These councillors showcase the best of local government across England and Wales.
“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 Heley and all of tonight’s Councillor Awards winners.
“We thank you for your service and look forward to hearing about your continued accomplishments in the future.”
Really shocked and honoured to have won this award, and huge congratulations to all the other shortlisted young councillors who I admire so much.
Huge thanks to @pedalpeeps and @Bricycles for the lovely videos!
And @BHGreenCllrs for being the best team!! #CllrAwards https://t.co/8fOXY8Vzzj
— Cllr Amy Heley (@AmyHeley) December 1, 2021
The awards attracted more than 400 nominations from across England and Wales.
Green councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty was shortlisted for the Leader of the Year award and Bridget Fishleigh, the only serving councillor to have been elected as an independent, was shortlisted for the Community Champion award.
She’s “shocked”!
That is nothing compared to incredulity of everyone else at the idiocy of the LGIU.
How on earth could they give an award of any sort at all to someone with the bullying tendencies and authoritarian attitude of Cllr Heley?
And unfortunate of them to give encouragement to an individual who one hopes has no future in public life.
Couldn’t agree with you more…
Poor Amy and her Greenie pals complained at comments and they have been removed.
Freedom of Speech in Greenie land is Do as I Say, only.
Too right, absolutely; the Greens are such a bunch of cry-baby’s…
Chaz, I did not receive any complaints about your earlier comment or the other comment that was taken down. But comments which are just plain abusive or defamatory rather than, say, critical, will be removed. We do our best to give people a reasonable platform, but there are limits.