The leader of Inverclyde Council has been shortlisted for a national award.

Councillor Stephen McCabe has been named as a finalist in the ‘Leader of the Year’ category at the 2023 LGIU Scotland and CCLA annual Cllr Awards.

He has been shortlisted alongside his counterparts in Dundee City, Falkirk, and Orkney Islands.

The organisers credited Cllr McCabe’s leadership in transforming Inverclyde into one of the most improved councils in the UK when announcing the finalists and cited his role in helping to establish a task force that saved 300 jobs with the rescue of the former Texas Instruments semiconductor plant in Greenock in recent times.

Last year, the council leader was crowned Scottish Local Politician of the Year at The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2022.

The winners of the 2023 LGIU Scotland and CCLA annual Cllr Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Tuesday 21 November 2023.

Cllr McCabe said: “On a personal level, I’m extremely proud to have been shortlisted for this award in recognition of the work I do, often behind the scenes, representing and fighting for the people of Inverclyde.

“It is also worthy recognition for the council and the brilliant work of our officers and elected members to make Inverclyde an even better place to live, work, visit and do business, and it is an area we should all be proud of and talk up at every opportunity.

“There is of course always more than can be done and we are demonstrating that with the council recently being awarded a total of £40 million from the UK Government as part of its Levelling Up agenda to regenerate Greenock Town Centre and I’m proud to have played a part in that in making the case for investment in Inverclyde through my role as co-chair of the Inverclyde Socio-Economic Task Force.

“We have also recently delivered the new £20m Greenock Ocean Terminal building – the first of three Glasgow City Region City Deal projects for Inverclyde – creating over 70 new jobs and increasing visitor capacity.

“The work of the council is wide and varied and, despite the ongoing financial pressures facing councils, there is much to be proud of and projects to be excited about and this individual recognition is very much for Team Inverclyde.”

Award organisers say competition was extremely tight with more than 300 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors.

The categories are:

• Community Champion
• Leader of the Year
• Young Councillor of the Year
• Resilience Champion
• Lifetime Legend.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland said: “In the face of unprecedented domestic and global challenges over the last year, councillors nationwide have once again exhibited unwavering dedication to serving their constituents.

“The shortlist for the 2023 Cllr Awards represents some of the most devoted elected representatives in Scotland. As councils continue to deliver essential services like social care and housing amid a cost of living crisis, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally. Their work, all too often, goes unrecognised and we take great pride in featuring their stories in this year’s shortlist.

“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

The Cllr Awards judging panel is made up of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector.

They are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of councillors.

Established in 1983, LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) is an independent, local authority membership organisation supporting officers and councillors across England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Australia with the unrivalled intelligence they need every day.

The awards shortlist is available at https://lgiu.org/events/cllr-awards/cllr-awards-2023-the-shortlist-scotland/