Former Lichfield Council leader and current Walsall Council deputy leader up for major national councillor award
One former and one current councillor have been shortlisted for a major award celebrating the work of councillors.
David Smith and Adrian Andrew have both been named among six current and former councillors for the Lifetime Legend award for the 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards.
They are amongst 40 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland to have been shortlisted in categories for the awards, which are the only national awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the work of councillors.
Now in their 16th year in England and 8th year in Scotland, the Cllr Awards highlight the contribution of councillors, often the unsung heroes of local democracy and more than 400 nominations were received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors.
These categories were Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend.
Councillor Smith was a former leader of Lichfield Council from 1999 to 2010, as well as serving on Staffordshire Council, but decided not to seek re-election in the Lichfield Rural South division, a seat he had held for a decade.
Councillor Andrew is the deputy leader of Walsall Council and has been a councillor since 2000, currently serving as councillor for Pheasey Park Farm.
Winners in England & Wales will be announced on Tuesday, November 18 at the Guildhall in London while winners in Scotland will be revealed on Wednesday, November 5 at the Glasgow City Chambers.
Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said: "Our annual Cllr awards demonstrate the best of local government.
"With more than 400 nominations, competition was extremely tight with inspiring stories of councillors up and down the country going the extra mile to improve their local area.
"Councillors are at the heart of local democracy, working tirelessly to support their communities and drive change.
"These awards are about celebrating the often unseen but hugely important contribution councillors make every day.
"This year’s shortlist is a testament to the dedication, creativity and leadership shown by councillors across the country.
"Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”
Lee Jagger, Local Government relationship manager for CCLA said: “Every one of the councilors on the Cllr Awards shortlist this year has had a significant and positive impact on their communities and on the lives of their individual residents.
"That’s what the councillor role is all about, ordinary people trying to make the places that we live and work better.
"CCLA is very proud to have supported these Awards from the very beginning and to be part of this important celebration of the best of local government.”
