Latest news with #LGIU
South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Nominations open for Cllr Awards 2025 ahead of ceremonies
The 2025 Cllr Awards, organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA, celebrate the dedication and impact of councillors across England, Wales, and Scotland who have made a real difference in their communities. Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGIU, said: "LGIU is delighted to once again present the annual Cllr Awards, a celebration of the outstanding commitment and creativity shown by our locally elected officials. "Councillors play a crucial role in the wellbeing of our communities. "Though much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes and without fanfare, their contributions are vital." Anyone can submit a nomination, including members of the public, fellow councillors, and council officers. Nominations must highlight a councillor's exceptional work over the past year and how it has positively impacted their community. The award categories include Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Lifetime Legend. Shortlisted candidates will be announced in the autumn. Winners will be revealed at ceremonies in Glasgow and London on November 5 and November 18. Nominations are open until midnight on Wednesday, June 11.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Funeral details confirmed for Councillor Betty Cunningham
The elected member for Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor in East Renfrewshire and former Provost passed away on Friday evening at the age of 79. She had served her constituents for 26 years and her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards. Betty's funeral will be held at 10am on Wednesday, June 11 at St John's Church in Barrhead and then at St Conval's Cemetery in Barrhead at 11.15am. READ NEXT: Tributes for East Renfrewshire councillor Betty Cunningham A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'There is parking at the church and adjacent church hall, as well as at the Cowan Park car park further along Aurs Road. 'Books of condolence can be signed at Eastwood HQ and at our offices in Main Street in Barrhead.'
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Tributes for East Renfrewshire councillor Betty Cunningham
She had served her constituents in Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for 26 years and her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards. Books of Condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood HQ for members of the public to pay their respects. Betty was first elected in 1999 and was Provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. She had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity – the Betty Cunningham International Trust – which built a health clinic and nursery schools. Council leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the Book of Condolence at the Council's Eastwood HQ, said: "Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi. "This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together. Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. "She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! "She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with. "Betty was no prouder than when she received the Lifetime Legend award at the LGIU awards last year. "This was a fitting award and well-deserved tribute to mark her career. READ MORE: Send us photos of your May newborn to appear in Barrhead News "My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. "Betty will remain an inspiration for us all." Provost Mary Montague, who signed the Book of Condolence in Barrhead, added: "Betty's death is a sad loss to her family, colleagues, staff, and many people locally and far and wide. Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. "She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it. "Betty was a paradox of fiercely not pulling her punches when necessary to a woman of incredible empathy, compassion and love for fellow human beings. "She was particularly supportive to my family at the time of a close family bereavement and a fundraiser for defibrillators was on her very full agenda of benevolence. "She is well known for her many achievements for good causes like Malawi, but many will carry with them the memory of her quiet, loving, personal support. "My condolences and my heart go out to Betty's family whom she loved with a passion and I hope they see from the hundreds of lovely messages on social media, just how much Betty was appreciated and the extent of her legacy of public service." Steven Quinn, chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council, said: "As a new chief executive spending time with Betty as she took me around Barrhead (or Borrheid as I was often corrected), it was incredible to witness at first hand her passion and dedication for her community and the work she had done to support so many people. "Betty was always thinking of others and took a special interest in helping people who were facing challenges in their lives. It was a privilege to get to know and work with Betty. "Her death is a massive loss to her community and to East Renfrewshire Council. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time." There were also tributes to Betty from across the political spectrum. (Image: Paul O'Kane) Local MSP Paul O'Kane said: "Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE was Barrhead through and through. "She loved the bones and the stones of this place, and she was immensely proud to represent it on the council for over two decades. "She worked day in and day out for local people and was always to be found on her mobile phone sorting out a constituent's problem (often with quite a few expletives thrown into the conversation). "As Provost, she represented East Renfrewshire across the country and worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the Provost came to officiate at an event. This often included a run in the 'Provost's motor'. "She raised thousands of pounds for charities from supporting talented young musicians locally to local churches, hospices and of course her beloved Malawi. "She was fiercely political and fiercely Labour - standing up for working people was in her DNA. "On a personal level, she was my political mammy and a dear friend. For all the times she chided me or we had our disagreements, there were countless more examples of her kindness and generosity to me and my family. READ MORE: East Renfrewshire ranked best in Scotland for 19 different council services "She was one of a kind - from the foot of the town to receiving her OBE from the late Queen at the Palace she was always Betty. "I will miss her terribly. May she rest in peace." Councillor Gordon Wallace, leader of the Conservative group on East Renfrewshire Council, said: "I was greatly saddened to learn of Betty's death. She will be greatly missed, not least by the people of Barrhead for whom she so tirelessly and passionately represented for over 25 years." And SNP group leader, Councillor Tony Buchanan, added: "Betty was a stalwart in her community and a fearless fighter on behalf of that community. "She was feisty and would not tolerate anyone who would decry her beloved Barrhead. "She was also a great believer in equity at both home and abroad, the latter through the work of her Malawi charity. "Betty stood up for people who needed support, gave them a voice and made sure the council delivered for them."
The National
7 days ago
- General
- The National
Tributes made to long-serving East Renfrewshire councillor
She had served her constituents in Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for 26 years and her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards. Books of Condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood HQ for members of the public to pay their respects. READ MORE: Douglas Ross slapped down by Holyrood Presiding Officer after FMQ's ejection Betty was first elected in 1999 and was Provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. She had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity – the Betty Cunningham International Trust – which built a health clinic and nursery schools. Council leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the Book of Condolence at the council's Eastwood HQ, said: "Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi. "This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together. Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. "She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! "She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with. "Betty was no prouder than when she received the Lifetime Legend award at the LGIU awards last year. "This was a fitting award and well-deserved tribute to mark her career. "My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. "Betty will remain an inspiration for us all." Provost Mary Montague, who signed the Book of Condolence in Barrhead, added: "Betty's death is a sad loss to her family, colleagues, staff, and many people locally and far and wide. Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. "She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it. "Betty was a paradox of fiercely not pulling her punches when necessary to a woman of incredible empathy, compassion and love for fellow human beings. READ MORE: New poll shows Scots overwhelmingly back indy over Westminster direct rule "She was particularly supportive to my family at the time of a close family bereavement and a fundraiser for defibrillators was on her very full agenda of benevolence. "She is well known for her many achievements for good causes like Malawi, but many will carry with them the memory of her quiet, loving, personal support. "My condolences and my heart go out to Betty's family whom she loved with a passion and I hope they see from the hundreds of lovely messages on social media, just how much Betty was appreciated and the extent of her legacy of public service." Steven Quinn, chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council, said: "As a new chief executive spending time with Betty as she took me around Barrhead (or Borrheid as I was often corrected), it was incredible to witness at first hand her passion and dedication for her community and the work she had done to support so many people. "Betty was always thinking of others and took a special interest in helping people who were facing challenges in their lives. It was a privilege to get to know and work with Betty. "Her death is a massive loss to her community and to East Renfrewshire Council. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time." There were also tributes to Betty from across the political spectrum. (Image: Paul O'Kane) Local MSP Paul O'Kane said: "Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE was Barrhead through and through. "She loved the bones and the stones of this place, and she was immensely proud to represent it on the council for over two decades. "She worked day in and day out for local people and was always to be found on her mobile phone sorting out a constituent's problem (often with quite a few expletives thrown into the conversation). READ MORE: Scottish artist stunned following chance encounter with legendary rock musician "As Provost, she represented East Renfrewshire across the country and worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the Provost came to officiate at an event. This often included a run in the 'Provost's motor'. "She raised thousands of pounds for charities from supporting talented young musicians locally to local churches, hospices and of course her beloved Malawi. "She was fiercely political and fiercely Labour - standing up for working people was in her DNA. "On a personal level,l she was my political mammy and a dear friend. For all the times she chided me or we had our disagreements, there were countless more examples of her kindness and generosity to me and my family. "She was one of a kind - from the foot of the town to receiving her OBE from the late Queen at the Palace she was always Betty. "I will miss her terribly. May she rest in peace." Councillor Gordon Wallace, leader of the Conservative group on East Renfrewshire Council, said: "I was greatly saddened to learn of Betty's death. She will be greatly missed, not least by the people of Barrhead for whom she so tirelessly and passionately represented for over 25 years." And SNP group leader, councillor Tony Buchanan, added: "Betty was a stalwart in her community and a fearless fighter on behalf of that community. "She was feisty and would not tolerate anyone who would decry her beloved Barrhead. "She was also a great believer in equity at both home and abroad, the latter through the work of her Malawi charity. "Betty stood up for people who needed support, gave them a voice and made sure the council delivered for them."
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Survey of senior figures reveals doubts about the impact of ‘super councils'
There is widespread scepticism across local government about the Government's flagship plans to create new 'super councils' across England, according to research into attitudes among senior figures in the sector. Less than a quarter (23%) of those surveyed said wholesale reorganisation will improve the perilous state of councils' finances, while just 20% of officials believe the timescales for change are deliverable. In addition, only one in 10 feel they have been adequately involved in the process of reorganisation, and fewer than one in five said the Government had provided sufficient clarity on its plans. In its annual survey on council finances, the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) found just one in 10 senior council figures are confident about the financial sustainability of local government, with surging demand for services identified as the greatest pressure by 90% of respondents. Increased national insurance contributions and structural reorganisation were also identified as significantly contributing to the stress on limited council budgets. The English devolution White Paper, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in December, laid out the Government's preference for upper-tier unitary councils. Under the plan, these would cover large interconnected populations of at least 500,000, replacing existing structures in two-tier county areas. The Government argued that these new large councils, since labelled 'super councils', can deliver 'better outcomes for residents' and 'save significant money which can be reinvested in public services', as well as create the basis of structures for devolving powers to combined authorities under mayors. A breakdown of the survey data shows 40% of respondents were from non-metropolitan districts, which are under threat due to reorganisation plans. The survey also found that 6% of councils believe they could declare effective bankruptcy this financial year without 'urgent and radical' reforms to the local government system. In the absence of reform, 35% said they could declare financial failure by the end of the decade. The survey of council leaders, chief executives, chief finance officers and cabinet members for finance also revealed the range of measures being considered by councils to ensure they balance the books next year. A vast majority (94%) said they were preparing to increase council tax, while 88% were considering a rise in fees and charges paid by residents. More than one in five respondents said they would look at increasing borrowing and nearly two-thirds expect to scale back spending on services. While just under half said they would make savings through restructuring services, 56% said they would draw on their financial reserves this year – a slightly bigger share than last year. The survey also confirmed strong support for council tax reform, with 77% backing this approach, and three-quarters in favour of more flexibility to generate revenue through local levies. Despite some concerns, satisfaction with the Government has improved on last year's results. This year, 25% of respondents said they are happy with the consideration of local government in wider policy decisions, compared with 8% last year. One in five said they are happy with the transparency of Government decisions made about local government finances, in contrast to just 4% last year. Of those surveyed, 30% said they are happy with the Government's understanding of the scale of the problems facing local government finances, a significant increase on 6% who said the same last year. The LGIU called on the Government to provide greater fiscal freedoms to local authorities, including tourism taxes, local sales taxes, and other measures that are prevalent in other countries. LGIU chief executive Jonathan Carr-West said that while the Government had reset the relationship with local government, serious financial concerns persist. He added: 'And, to put it bluntly, respondents are not happy with the way that reorganisation is being carried out. 'The vast majority feel that the Government is not providing enough clarity, enough genuine involvement for councils in the process, or realistic time frames. 'And, critically, most do not believe that it will solve the financial problems that councils face.' Responding to the findings, Tim Oliver, chairman of the County Councils Network, described the Government's approach as a 'once-in-a-generation chance' to improve and sustain services in two-tier areas. He added most councils have recognised that the current system of local government is no longer viable, highlighting that 'the public's confusion of the multi-tier system means that it has become impossible to justify'. Councillor Oliver said: 'In order to create councils that can rise to the challenges of the 21st century, deliver better local services, and create significant savings for the public purse, they must be at the right size and scale. 'This means creating unitary councils covering areas of at least 500,000 people or more, with the Government sticking to this number as a minimum.' A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: 'This Government inherited a crumbling local government sector. 'We are prepared to take tough choices necessary to rebuild local government and give taxpayers the services they deserve. 'Reorganisation is a tough choice but it is the right one to end the two-tier premium and create streamlined, more accountable local government. 'We know the challenges councils are facing, which is why despite the inheritance we have been left we are making available £69 billion of funding to councils across England and working with them to drive forward the Government's Plan for Change.'
