Awards For Bradford Councillors

Thursday, 3 November 2016 07:00

Two Bradford councillors have won Local Government 2016 annual achievement awards.

Former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, a Great Horton Labour councillor for a decade, won the Metropolitan Borough Councillor of the Year category beating councillors from Leeds, Lambeth, Westminster and Wigan.

Nominees for the award were expected to have brought about positive change in their community as a direct result of their work; be a committed advocate for their constituents and have a strong relationship with community groups and council partners.

Toller ward Councillor Fozia Shaheen, (Labour) who only became a councillor in May last year, won the Young Councillor of the year award and beat off competition from Kirklees, Boston, Cheshire and Walsall.

These successes appear to have been reflected in a public consultation and an independent assessment of Bradford Council by Sir Rodney Brooke which concluded that 90 councillors was the appropriate number for Bradford's 30 wards.

Councillor Dodds was a very hands-on Lord Mayor who abseiled, ran a 10k race, tried her hand at pulling pints at a local brewery and raised more than £60,000 for her two charities, The Bradford Children's Hospital and Spread a Smile, the latter helping dozens of small local charities.

She is a member of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority where she chairs the Community Safety Committee and is a Street Angel who assists people in the city centre in the evenings.

Councillor Shaheen has quickly risen through the ranks to take on executive assistant to the portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing. She oversees children's services, looked-after children, housing, the Born in Bradford project and many public health issues.

She is also a member of the Children's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Employment Appeals Panel and Bradford West Area Committee, as well as being the lead voice for the Children's Care Council and Youth Voice.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “I’m delighted for Joanne Dodds and Fozia Shaheen who fully deserve their national awards. Joanne has served as a councillor for 10 years. She’s a great advocate for local residents and her dedication and wonderful personal qualities shone through as Lord Mayor last year."

"Fozia is a talented young councillor and a quick learner who has won the respect of constituents and built up a strong reputation since she was elected. Joanne and Fozia are a credit to Bradford and I’m proud to have them on the team.”

Councillor Dodds said: " I am absolutely over the moon. I can't stop smiling. I love working in the community, making a difference and my time as Lord Mayor was the best year of my life. I am so proud, pleased and honoured to have won this prestigious award for achievement."

Councillor Shaheen said: "I love working with people and my background is community work. This award has truly shown my hard work, commitment and dedication."

"I have been a councillor for only just over one year and to become the executive assistant for Health and Wellbeing and be recognised nationally by receiving this award is a massive achievement."

"I just want to thank my constituents, friends, colleagues, family and most of all Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe and Deputy Leader Val Slater for having so much trust in the work I do in my community and nominating me for this award initially."

Deputy Leader of Leeds Council, Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, received an honourable mention in the Metropolitan Borough Councillor of the Year category.

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.