Chambers Ireland Announces Winners of 2020 Excellence in Local Government Awards – Mayo County Council named Local Authority of the Year 2020
Mayo County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards which took place today (26 November 2020). The 17th annual Awards ceremony was held online and is organised in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It showcases and celebrates the best of Local Government in Ireland.
Speaking this afternoon Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, said,
“Local Authorities are at the heart of local economies right across the island and make significant contributions to Irish society and the communities they serve. The value of this contribution has never been felt as strongly than over the past year, as towns, villages, cities and regions cope with the impact of COVID-19 on lives and livelihoods.
As ever, it is an honour to host the Excellence in Local Government Awards. Our aim is to shine a spotlight on the valuable work of local authorities and profile the excellent projects and initiatives undertaken by teams in local government right around the country.
Congratulations to all those shortlisted, specifically each person who worked tirelessly on these excellent projects. Congratulations to all this year’s winners, each of whom set an example of what excellence in local government should look like.
Finally, congratulations to the 2020 Local Authority of the Year, Mayo County Council. We commend their commitment to excellence and the commitment they have shown across their work to ensure the sustainable development of the localities they represent, raising their county’s profile nationally.”
Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien T.D., commented about the Awards,
“Local Authorities have achieved the highest standards of performance, despite this year of great uncertainty. These standards are evident in all of the applications that were both entered and featured as the category prize winners in these awards.
Having local government structures working to such a high level has helped to maintain an important sense of community in these difficult times and an inclusive, caring society for all.
I thank Chambers Ireland for providing this platform to showcase the highly skilled, innovative and committed people who make up our local authorities, and I express my gratitude to the local authorities themselves for the vital contribution they make in communities across the country.”
There were sixteen awards presented plus the overall award for Local Authority of the Year. Individual awards were sponsored by: European Recycling Platform (ERP), TEKenable, Healthy Ireland, LGiU Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and EirGrid.
Specially commissioned crystal awards designed by Waterford Crystal will be presented to the winners when restrictions allow.
-ENDS-
For further information contact Emma Kerins, Chambers Ireland on 087 970 7676 or email emma.kerins@chambers.ie
Notes to Editors
About the Excellence in Local Government Awards
The Excellence in Local Government Awards are hosted by Chambers Ireland in partnership with the Department of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage t to showcase the best practice in local government across Ireland. The annual Awards began in 2004 to recognise the Local Authority of the Year and many other achievements delivered by Local Authorities and this year includes sixteen categories.
For more information please visit our website: www.chambers.ie
The full list of winners is as follows:
Supporting Sustainable Communities
Fingal County Council – Shop Local Website
Best Practice in Citizen Engagement
Cork City Council – Social Distance Park Rangers Programme (Covid – 19 Response)
Health & Wellbeing
Mayo County Council – Making Positive Choices
Supporting Tourism
Tipperary County Council – Suir Blueway Tipperary
Promoting Economic Development
Cork City Council – ‘Re-imaging the City’ – Pedestrianizing Cork City Streets
Local Authority Innovation
Mayo County Council – Weather Impact Register App – WIRE
Sustainable Environment
Wicklow County Council – Relove Fashion Competition
Best Library Service
Clare County Council – Connections: Stories by Syrian Families in County Clare
Sustaining the Arts
Offaly County Council – Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath
Disability Services Provision
Wexford County Council – Min Ryan Park Communications Board
Festival of the Year
Mayo County Council – Virtual Mayo Day 2020
Initiatives through the Municipal Districts
Longford County Council – Embracing Remote Working Technology to Support Community and Voluntary Groups
Enhancing the Urban Environment
Limerick City and County Council – Living Georgian City Programme
Heritage and Built Environment
Donegal County Council – Thatch Repair Grant Scheme
Commemorations and Centenaries
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – Divine Illumination – Oratory of the Sacred Heart
Age Friendly Initiative
Limerick City and County Council – Putting Your House in Order
Local Authority of the Year
Mayo County Council
Judging Panel
There are two independent judging panels made up of respected experts from the community and local government.
Round One
Tony O’Brien – Chair, ELG Judging & Principal, TOB Associates
Dr. Seán O’ Riordáin – Chairman, Public Policy Advisors Network
Martin Tobin – Chief Executive Officer, European Recycling Platform
Louise Purcell – Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Round Two
Tony O’ Brien – Chair, ELG Judging & Principal, TOB Associates
Diarmuid O’Leary – Principal Officer, Local Government Governance and Elected Members
Karen Smyth – Head of Policy and Governance, NILGA
Dr. Andy Johnston – Director of LGiU Ireland