Cllr Tom Beattie of Corby Borough Council has been named council leader of the year in the 2020 Cllr Awards.

The awards, organised by the LGIU and CCLA, aim to showcase the best of local government. This year a special COVID-19 Hero Award was given to Cllr Hannah Bithell of Leeds City Council and Cllr Salma Mumtaz of Nottingham City Council.

Cllr Nick Ridley OBE of Babergh District Council was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service posthumously.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the LGIU, said: ‘These councillors showcase the best of local government, those who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities during a hugely challenging 2020.

’Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have turned to local government to bring us the place-specific leadership and support for which they are renowned and they have once again delivered.’