A Brighton councillor has been shortlisted for a national award two years after becoming chairman of the local Health and Wellbeing Board.
Daniel Yates, 44, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean Ward on Brighton and City Council, is in the running for the Health and Care Award at the Councillor Achievement Awards.
Councillor Yates, a chartered physiotherapist, said: “At a time when council funding is being cut to the bone and councils up and down 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 for their communities.
“I’m hoping that many more of our cities will join the UN fast track cities initiative and work collaboratively with their communities to try to end the transmission of HIV, end HIV-related ill health and stop the stigma within our lifetimes.”
The annual awards are organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), a think-tank for councils and councillors.
The think-tank’s chief executive, Jonathan Carr-West, said: “Councils play a crucial role keeping our communities connected and safe.
“Despite ever tightening budgets, they ensure that essential services are delivered on the ground, day after day. But this exemplary work of local government often goes unrecognised.
“It is for 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.
“The exceptional nominations we received this year remind us of the instrumental role that councillors play in our daily lives, making our communities places where we all want to live.
“We are proud to honour the achievements of those shortlisted and look forward to showcasing the winners at the awards ceremony in London in November.”
The LGiU said that the winner of the Health and Care Award would
- Demonstrate long-term commitment to supporting the health and care outcomes of residents
- Champion innovative and responsible approaches to service design and delivery
- Be receptive to the concerns and ideas put forward by their residents and tailor council policy to meet their needs
The award organisers said that they had received more than 200 nominations before shortlisting Councillor Yates, adding: “Competition was extremely tight again this year.”
Councillor Emma Evans, who represents Buckingham Ward on Adur District Council, has been shortlisted in the Community Champion category.
The winners will be announced at an awards night at the Guildhall’s Livery Hall in London on Tuesday 7 November. The event is supported by the Mears Group and the City of London Corporation.
The City of London Corporation town clerk and chief executive is former Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive John Barradell.
Mr Barradell was placed in charge of co-ordinating the response to the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire because of the failures of the council in Kensington and Chelsea.
