Glasgow Southside and East Renfrewshire councillors in the running for education award

Organised by LGIU Scotland and CCLA, the Cllr Awards – now in their third year – showcase the achievements of councillors across Scotland.

Labour councillor Soryia Siddique, who represents Southside Central on Glasgow City Council; and independent councillor David MacDonald, who represents the Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood ward on East Renfrewshire Council, are joined on the Champion for Education shortlist by Councillor Fay Sinclair, of Fife Council.

Cllr Siddique said: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for the ‘Champion for Education’ award – and congratulations also to my fellow Glasgow colleagues who have also been shortlisted for awards.

“It is an honour to serve, I want to thank my fellow Glaswegians and constituents for contacting me and campaigning on issues related to early years, digital exclusion, women in STEM, placements, inequality, attainment, diversity and further education cuts.

“I have lectured in FE and HE for over 15 years, my policy and campaigns have been shaped by my lived experience and Glasgow communities.”

Other Glasgow City councillors shortlisted for awards include Philip Braat, Elspeth Kerr and Eva Murray (Covid-19 Hero), Paul Carey (Lifetime Contribution), Kim Long and Eva Murray (New Councillor of the Year), and Kim Long (Urban Community Champion).

The Cllr Awards are the only national ceremony to celebrate the vital contributions of councillors. So often, their hard work goes unrecognised. These awards highlight what local councillors do for their communities, especially this year in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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. Due to the ongoing health crisis, this year’s ceremony will take place virtually on Tuesday, November 24, with special speakers and guests.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented this country with a set of challenges that few could have predicted. However, councillors up and down the country have risen to these challenges and stepped up to plate for their communities.

“From delivering food parcels to vulnerable residents and sourcing PPE for frontline workers to finding temporary accommodation for the homeless, local government has kept the country safe and moving.

“It is for this reason that we are particularly proud to unveil the shortlist for this year’s Cllr Awards. Their achievements showcase the best of local government at a time when the country faces one of the greatest hardships of our lifetime.

“We would like to congratulate all of those councillors shortlisted and look forward to revealing the winners on the November 24.”