Dedication and commitment to the role of councillor were recognised last night (1 November) when Oxford City’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Ed Turner, won District Councillor of the Year at the prestigious Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) Councillor Achievement awards.
The awards were presented at the Guildhall’s Livery Hall in London. With nearly 200 nominations, a record amount, competition was extremely tough. The winners were selected by a group of judges made up of local government experts and councillors.
Councillor Turner said: “Being a councillor is all about effective team work - with councillors and officers working together to achieve the best for residents. I'm hugely grateful to receive this award and for the great advice, support and camaraderie that my colleagues have provided over the years.
“When I was first elected, in 2002, I never expected I'd still be going 14 years later but it has truly been an enriching, fulfilling experience and the greatest reward has been in seeing Oxford, and in particular Rose Hill, flourish. Having been a part of that has been very special indeed.”
The LGiU selected Councillor Turner as District Councillor of the Year for being “a committed advocate for his constituents and bringing about positive change in his community. As a ward councillor, he fought for and has seen through an ambitious programme of transformation that has resulted in investment of around £30 million to improve the lives and cohesion of a deprived and demographically diverse and changing community.”
Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “Ed richly deserves this award. He has played a key role in City Council policies since he was elected in 2002.
“In particular, he has shaped the Council’s successful adaptation to the loss of over 50 per cent of government grant since 2010. He is a national expert on housing and speaks for the Local Government Association on housing issues. He has put his heart and soul into the regeneration of Rose Hill as the ward councillor and the new housing, leisure facilities and superb new community centre reflect his innovative and energetic work over many years.
“To have achieved all this with a full time job, two very young children and an active programme as a FA football referee is truly remarkable.”
Jonathan Carr-West, LGiU Chief Executive, said: “The 2016 Councillor Award winners showcase the best of the best across local government. These are councillors who are working tirelessly to make our communities better places to live. We congratulate Councillor Turner on his outstanding work and are looking forward to hearing about his future accomplishments.”
The LGiU is a think tank and local authority membership organisation with 200 councils subscribing to its networks. It works to strengthen local democracy and put citizens in control of their own lives, communities and local services. Its annual awards celebrate the work done by councillors from all sizes of councils across the country.
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