Edinburgh transport convener Lesley Macinnes in line for 'Covid Hero' award

EDINBURGH’S transport convener Lesley Macinnes – who has been at the centre of controversies over temporary traffic measures across the Capital – has been shortlisted for the “Covid Hero” award at a national ceremony celebrating the contributions of Scotland's councillors.
Lesley Macinnes has been at the centre of controversy over Spaces for People measuresLesley Macinnes has been at the centre of controversy over Spaces for People measures
Lesley Macinnes has been at the centre of controversy over Spaces for People measures

More than 100 nominations were received for the third annual “Cllr Awards” run by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland and charity fund managers CCLA.

The eight categories range from Leader of the Year to Rural Community Champion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Macinnes, who has overseen the Edinburgh traffic schemes funded under the Spaces for People programme in response to the coronavirus physical distancing requirements, is among six contenders for the title Covid-19 Hero, which the organisers say is “to celebrate a councillor who has championed their local community during the pandemic”.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGIU Scotland, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented this country with a set of challenges that few could have predicted. However, councillors up and down the country have risen to these challenges and stepped up to plate for their communities. From delivering food parcels to vulnerable residents and sourcing PPE for frontline workers to finding temporary accommodation for the homeless, local government has kept the country safe and moving.”

The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector.

Because of Covid, this year’s ceremony will take place virtually on Tuesday November 24 with special speakers and guests.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Two other Edinburgh councillors are shortlisted for other awards. Long-serving Tory group leader Iain Whyte is one of four in the running for the Lifetime Contribution award – “for councillors who have gone above and beyond for their communities over an extended period of time”.

And Susan Rae, Green councillor for Leith Walk, is up against three others to be named Urban Community Champion – “for councillors in predominantly urban constituencies who have gone above and beyond in supporting their communities”.

Edinburgh’s Lib Dem group leader Robert Aldridge received the Lifetime Contribution award last year and Green councillor Gavin Corbett the Environmental Impact award in 2018.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign

up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.