The winners of the 2013 C’llr Achievement Awards have been announced, with Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, being recognised for his ‘Contribution to Local Government’.

Catherine West of Islington Council was awarded Leader of the Year at the ceremony last night, which was attended by communities secretary Eric Pickles.

The awards, which are organised by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and supported by CCLA aim to reward those councillors ‘who go over and above what is expected of them’.

The full winners are:

Age UK Pride of Place Award Winner: Cllr Sue Cooley, Manchester City Council

Bruce-Lockhart Member Scholarship – including £10,000 scholarship Winner: Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council

CCLA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Financial Performance Winner: Cllr Maurice Jones, Central Bedfordshire Council Judges’ Special Mention: Cllr Les Ford, Cheshire West and Chester

Community Champion of the Year Winner: Cllr Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Judges’ Special Mention: Cllr Richard Crawford (London Borough of Newham) and Cllr Janet Gardner (London Borough of Hillingdon)

Judges’ Special Award for Contribution to Local Government Winner: Cllr Paul Bettison, Bracknell Forest Council Judges’ Special Mention: Cllr Peter Martin, Essex County Council

Leader of the Year Winner: Cllr Catherine West, Islington Council

Online Councillor of the Year Winner: Cllr David Harrington, Stockton-on-Tees Borough

Council Partnership Achievement of the Year Award Winner: Cllr Philip Atkins (Staffordshire County Council), Cllr Brian Edwards (South Staffordshire Council) and Cllr Roger Lawrence (Wolverhampton City Council) Judges’ Special Mention: Cllr Susan Wise, Lewisham Council

Scrutineer of the Year Winner: Cllr Edward Davie, Lambeth Council

Sustainability Champion of the Year Winner: Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson, South Lakeland District Council

Young Councillor of the Year Winner: Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Cllr Sean Fielding and Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council Judges’ Special Mention: Cllr Jake Morrison, Liverpool City Council