A SOUTH Ayrshire councillor has been nominated for the first Councillor Achievement Awards in Scotland.

Cllr Chris Cullen has been shortlisted for the Environmental Impact award.

The awards are the only national ceremony to honour the hard work of councillors from across the country that often goes unrecognised. With nearly 100 nominations, competition was ‘extremely tight’.

There are over 1,200 councillors across Scotland working to represent and support their communities.

At Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) organised the awards to ‘recognise and reward those councillors who go the extra mile for their constituents’.

They are sponsored by CCLA, investors for local authorities.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the LGiU said: “I’m delighted to launch the first Scottish Councillor Achievement Awards and identify some of the best locally elected members in Scotland.

“Councillors play a crucial role in keeping our communities connected and I am looking forward to celebrating their success.”

He added: “It’s a huge achievement to be shortlisted.

“The shortlisted councillors went above and beyond the call of duty in 2018, making a real difference to their residents.”

Awards will be presented on Thursday, November 29 at a ceremony held at Edinburgh’s City Chambers.