A FORMER Mayor of Worcester and one of the leading lights behind the city’s Mela Festival has been shortlisted for an honour at the 2022 Cllr Awards.
Coun Jabba Riaz has been nominated for the prestigious awards to be held on Thursday (October 20) in the Community Champion category.
Organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and fund manager for local authorities and churches CCLA, the awards are the only national ceremony to celebrate the vital contributions of councillors.
Now deputy leader of Worcester Labour Party at the Guildhall, Coun Riaz chose his Mayoral theme of ‘Love not Hate, as he sought to heal a divided community following the Brexit referendum of 2016.
After a series of high-profile and tragic drownings, he introduced free swimming for Asian women. This project is being used as an example of best practice across the city and is being nominated for a national police award by the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Speaking after the nominations were announced, Coun Riaz said he was ‘honoured and humbled’ to have made it on the shortlist.
“I am a product of my community and city,” he said. “I could not have got where I have without all of you shaping me and contributing to my success whether you are one of the neigh sayers or well-wishers, I thank you.
“I love this city and it has given me the tools and the opportunities to give back to it, in so many ways. I am blessed to live and serve in a beautiful and kind city.
“It’s reassuring to know work by local councillors is recognised across the country.
“I would like to thank all local councillors for sticking their neck on the line to serve their communities and being their champions over the most challenging period in modern history.”
Competition in the awards was extremely tight again this year, with nearly 400 nominations received across five categories which celebrate the varied work of councillors.
The categories up for grabs this year are: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Resilience and Recovery and Young Councillor of the Year awards.
A panel of judges composed of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector will select the winners who will be revealed at the ceremony taking place on Thursday (October 20) from 7pm to 9pm at the Roman Baths and Guildhall.
The ceremony will also be broadcast live on YouTube.
Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the LGIU, said: “In a year like no other, councillors up and down the country have once again been working tirelessly to address the needs of their residents and bring much needed leadership to communities struggling day in and day out.
“From supporting communities through flooding emergencies and fires to welcoming refugees from Ukraine into our local communities, these councillors are some of the most committed elected representatives across England and Wales.
“We are incredibly proud to showcase their stories in this year’s shortlist.”
