Aberdeen City Council named Local Authority of the Year

Aberdeen City Council has been named Local Authority of the Year at The MJ Local Government Achievement Awards 2020.

Aberdeen was the only Scottish authority to have been shortlisted for the awards, which celebrate achievements in local government across the UK. 

The Local Authority of the Year category recognised success across the organisation, including strong performance in major services, innovation, good synergy between the executive and political functions, and sound financial stewardship

The judges said the council had “an impressive story to tell in terms of its changing economic context and the bold steps it is taking to deliver an unprecedented transformation of the city through a pioneering capital programme and significant investments in the social and cultural future of its communities.”  

In announcing the winner, Neil Lupin of public sector consultancy Green Park praised the council for the “brave, bold and imaginative way” it had reinvigorated the city in response to the oil downturn.

Chief executive of Aberdeen City Council Angela Scott said: “To win The MJ Achievement Awards for Local Authority of the Year is a fantastic recognition of the efforts made by our staff in serving the people of Aberdeen.

“We are delighted to have received recognition for transforming how we do our business through our journey to implement our target operating model.

“I’d like to express my thanks to all council staff for all that they do every day on behalf of the city and for the part they have played in the recognition we have received today.”

Co-leader of Aberdeen City Council Councillor Jenny Laing said: “We are immensely proud to be the recipient of this award.

“As a council we have empowered staff, enabled communities and pioneered partnership working, and as such we should all celebrate this outstanding achievement.”

Her fellow co-leader, Councillor Douglas Lumsden, added: “We are thrilled to be named Local Authority of the Year.

“The last financial year was one in which many of our flagship projects came to life and judges recognised our investment in the place as well as people as the key to our success.”