Trio of Orkney Councillors in running for National Awards

Former Deputy Leader praises his colleagues for being recognised for their ambitions for Orkney

Three Orkney Islands elected representatives have today been announced on the shortlist for awards at the 2023 Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland & CCLA councillor awards, to be held in Edinburgh on 21 November.

Council Leader James Stockan has been shortlisted for 'Leader of the Year', Deputy Leader Heather Woodbridge has been nominated for 'Resilience Champion' for her tireless work as an ambassador for the ferry-linked isles and on bringing national recognition to the local authority's work on community planning, and Cllr Kristopher Leask, Orkney's youngest-ever councillor and a passionate voice for green plans and policies, is in the running for 'Young Councillor of the Year'.

Congratulating his colleagues, Councillor Leslie Manson, former Depute Leader of Orkney Islands Council, said:

“I would like to offer warm congratulations to my colleagues on being shortlisted for these national awards, which are very well deserved.

“The current council is an active, engaged, ambitious council and those ambitions are due in no small part to the efforts of these three individuals.

“James is a visionary, inclusive, and incredibly hard-working leader. He’s previously done a range of jobs including Vice Convener and Chair of the Development and Infrastructure committee, so he really knows the council inside-out. His knowledge is truly encyclopaedic. His work helps ensure that the needs of this small community are constantly set in front of national politicians.

“Heather is a rising-star whose people skills are excellent and she’s wise beyond her years. She’s a big ideas person and also a very good listener. She’s got a really good international perspective on things, which complements her experience living in one of the smallest island communities in Orkney. She brings a realism about this remote island experience into the debating chamber.

“Kristopher really has exploded onto the scene of local politics. He’s a ward councillor of mine and so I’ve been able to see his work and how he conducts himself close up. He’s fiercely intelligent, really well connected and is very well-versed on local issues, particularly on the green agenda. He also has experience supporting a Green MSP on the national stage. He’s another very, very good listener and, like his two colleagues, is very measured in his contributions.”

See the full categories and shortlisted candidates: https://lgiu.org/events/cllr-awards/cllr-awards-2023-the-shortlist-scotland/