Three north-east councillors have been shortlisted from hundreds for national awards.
Aberdeen councillors Jenny Laing and Bill Cormie are in the running for gongs at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland Councillor Awards, as is Aberdeenshire representative Glen Reid.
But other northern elected members were snubbed from the shortlist, picked from a record number of nominations.
No other northern local authorities are represented in the running.
Labour city council co-leader Mrs Laing is vying against the heads of Perth and Kinross and East Ayrshire for the Leader Of The Year.
She told The P&J: “I’m delighted to be shortlisted, it’s always been a privilege to lead the council.
“We’ve had significant challenges in Aberdeen in the last year, not just with Covid-19 but the oil and gas downturn too.
“Despite the financial challenges we face, we’ve always tried to invest in the people and the place of Aberdeen and work with others to create a city to be proud of.
“I have a strong relationship with my co-leader Douglas Lumsden and when you’re nominated for something like this it’s reflective of the collaborative work going on in the city council with elected members and staff.”
Her fellow Midstocket/Rosemount councillor Bill Cormie is competing with others from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee for the Urban Community Champion award.
An SNP councillor since 2007, the former depute provost guessed work with schoolchildren might have earned his nomination.
“I’m very honoured,” he said.
“I have planting bulbs with pupils from three local schools for 12 years, having gone through 130,000 bulbs in that time.
“I think this year when they bloomed in March and April at the height of the virus, lots of people were looking out their windows to see the first colours of spring and it would really have cheered them up.
“I’ve also been busy dealing with residents, businesses and council officers around the Spaces For People work in the ward.”
In Aberdeenshire, East Garioch SNP councillor Glen Reid is nominated for the Rural Community Champion award for a second year running.
Last night he told The P&J: “”I’m delighted to be nominated again.
“When I took the decision to stand for election for East Garioch, it was to try and fight for my community and give a voice to it’s members.
“I’m extremely proud to be one of their representatives.”
LGIU Scotland chief executive, Jonathan Carr-West, said: “These councillors’ achievements showcase the best of local government at a time when the country faces one of the greatest hardships of our lifetime.”
Winners will be announced on November 24.
