Home   Bury St Edmunds   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Cllr Matthew Hicks and Cllr Caroline Topping, who head Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council, nominated for leader of the year in national council award




Two local leaders have been shortlisted for a top national council award.

Cllrs Matthew Hicks and Caroline Topping, who head Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council respectively, have overcome more than 300 nominations for the prestigious leader of the year award.

The awards are being handed out by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA Investment Management.

Cllr Caroline Topping and Cllr Matthew Hicks Awards have been nominated for the prestigious leader of the year award. Picture: submitted
Cllr Caroline Topping and Cllr Matthew Hicks Awards have been nominated for the prestigious leader of the year award. Picture: submitted

Both councillors shared how proud they were to be selected among four other local leaders.

Cllr Hicks said: “It’s a huge honour to be nominated for this award and it is testament to the great work done by Suffolk County Council members and staff under challenging circumstances.

“I’m proud that Suffolk is being recognised nationally but remain focused on providing the best possible services to the people of Suffolk.”

Cllr Topping, who heads East Suffolk’s coalition administration, said the nomination showed how the council had become the model of how ‘no overall control’ local authorities could work efficiently.

She added: “I need people from different perspectives and colours to come and have a conversation and make sure we have all the aspects covered before decisions are made.

“I feel very strongly that everybody should be represented and that we should be transparent and inclusive, even if you’re delivering news people don’t really want to hear.”

East Suffolk’s leader also said having two local leaders selected for the award showed just how important decisions in Suffolk were.

She said: “A lot is going on in Suffolk and we need Westminster to pay attention — we need to work together for the benefit of Suffolk and I know he’s as passionate about his community as I am about mine.”

The winners in England and Wales will be announced in London on November 20.

Also shortlisted for the leader of the year award are:

Cllr Marion Atkinson – Sefton Council

Cllr Peter Marland – Milton Keynes City Council

Cllr Liam Robinson – Liverpool City Council

Cllr Arooj Shah – Oldham Council