IS THERE a councillor in Powys you think deserves credit for their outstanding work for their community?

Well, if you think the man or woman who represents your ward across Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire or Breconshire is a community champion, a leader or a young star on the rise, you can vote for them in a national wards ceremony celebrating the vital work of individual councillors in Wales and England.

This week, the only national awards ceremony celebrating the vital work of councillors opened its call for nominations.

The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA are proud to officially launch the 12th annual Cllr Awards, honouring the achievements of councillors that so often go unrecognised.

This year’s award categories celebrate the essential and varied work of councillors and include the coveted Community Champion, Leader of the Year and Young Councillor of the Year awards, alongside a new Resilience and Recovery category for 2021.

Nominations can be made by any constituent who would like to recognise a councillor doing outstanding work for their community. They are open until Friday, September 24, with the shortlist unveiled at the end of October.

The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. They will be revealed at this year’s ceremony, taking place on December 1. Due to the ongoing Covid-related restrictions, it will be held as a hybrid event with virtual link-ups to a central London venue.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGIU, said: “Local government supports all of us, each and every day.

“On every street, in every town, up and down the country, it is the vital work of councillors that keeps things moving.

“Now is the time for us to support our local heroes by nominating those councillors who have stepped up to the plate during extraordinary circumstances to deliver for their communities.

“As we officially open nominations for Cllr Awards 2021, we welcome contributions from any member of the public as well as other councillors, officers and leaders. We look forward to once again receiving the highest calibre of nominations and showcasing the essential work of councillors in December.”