Does your councillor deserve an award?

If you know an amazing councillor who has worked hard to listen to older people and improve their neighbourhood then we want to hear from you.

Nominations are now open for the Age UK award which forms part of the LGiU and CCLA C'llr Achievement Awards 2013. This is an award for Councillors who have put older people at the heart of their work, bringing about long lasting change for older people in their communities.

Last year's winner was Councillor Olwen Foggin of Devon County Council (pictured) who was nominated after her tireless work reinstating a much needed bus route to the local hospital.

Foggin fought the closure of a post box that would have caused older people to walk further to the nearest post office, and also responded to individual concerns raised by older residents.

If you know someone like Councillor Foggin who has used their position to improve your neighbourhood for older people, why not nominate them for this year's award?

The winning councillor will have a track record of:

• making time to listen to older people, actively engaging with them and understanding the issues that concern them
• bringing about changes that directly benefit older people, as a result of those concerns
• ensuring that any improvements are maintained in the long term and that older people continue to be consulted and involved.

Nominations can be made by members of the public, councillors and council officers, but councillors cannot nominate themselves. You will find everything you need to make a nomination on the LGIU website.

The deadline for applications has been extended to 18 January, and the successful winner will be announced in February at an awards ceremony in London.

Councillors can often be the unsung heroes of our communities. So if you know a councillor who has set an excellent example of helping older people, why not make sure they get the recognition they deserve.

More information about the Age UK Pride of Place Award at the CCLA LGiU C'llr Achievement Awards 2013 can be found at www.lgiu.org.uk/age-uk-award.