A FORMER Mayor of Worcester and one of the leading lights behind the city’s Mela Festival has been named Community Champion of the Year at the 2022 Cllr Awards.
Coun Jabba Riaz was handed the honoured at the awards which were organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and fund manager for local authorities and churches the CCLA.
The honours are the only national ceremony to celebrate the vital contributions of councillors.
Coun Riaz was chosen for the Community Champion award because of the outstanding level of thought, care and compassion he has demonstrated in the role.
The judges were impressed with the emphasis on unity and inclusion that he brought.
And he was also recognised for the introduction of free swimming lessons for Asian women – a project which was literally lifesaving after a series of high-profile and tragic drownings.
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.
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.
“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,” Coun Riaz added.
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 were: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Resilience and Recovery and Young Councillor of the Year awards.
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.
“And while awards and accolades aren’t the reason councillors put themselves forward and enter local politics, their incredible service is, so often, a thankless task.
“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the Cllr Awards winners.”
