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.
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