Chuffed!

I'm feeling very chuffed at the moment as I've been shortlisted for an award!

Each year, the LGIU - one of the organisations that represents councils and councillors - organises awards in a number of categories and I've been shortlisted in the category of New Councillor of the Year.

The criteria for this award says:

The first term can be one of the most challenging for new councillors; getting to know their role, the council and communities. Elected for the first time in June 2009, this councillor will have got to grips with these things and made an immediate impact – both to the political group and the community.

Councillors that apply/are put forward for this award will need to demonstrate:

• election for the first time in June 2009
• visible positive impact on the political group and/or community
• they will have pioneered new projects, made an impact on the political groups’ vision, and/or developed initiatives that have made an immediate impact on the community.

I'm obviously very honoured by this. The others nominated are Debra Gratton from Stoke, Ivan Jennings from Staffs, Dennis Meredith (a fellow Lib Dem) from Northamptonshire and Laura Mayes from Wiltshire.

The golden envelope will be opened at a conference on February 4th.