The 2024 Local Government Employee of the Year has been announced.
Lesley Wilson from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has been awarded the prestigious accolade after a competitive judging process.
With Karla McKinless from Mid Ulster and Denise McGill from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, coming in close runners up.
Lesley is a Community Arts Officer for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and has worked there for over 12 years. She is responsible for the development of a proactive and innovative programme of community arts events, exhibitions, workshops, classes and festivals.
In her role she is responsible for encouraging community access to the arts with the aim of maximising engagement and participation from all sections of the community.
Lesley was commended by judges for her drive and determination to bring to life the installation of Sam McBratney Digital Art and Literature Trail, a unique visitor experience in the heart of Lisburn city centre which opened in 2023. The trail is based on the world-renowned book ‘Guess How Much I love You’ which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and was written by the late Sam McBratney, a native of Lisburn.
Demonstrating excellent performance, Lesley led a team of council staff on a cross departmental basis to bring this project from initial concept stage to an exemplar in craftsmanship and innovation. It will be a lasting legacy for city of Lisburn, its visitors and residents in future years.
Organised by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association and sponsored by the William Johnston Memorial Trust, the Local Government Employee of the Year award recognises the best and brightest across Northern Ireland’s 11 local councils.
14 local government employees across Northern Ireland were shortlisted by the judges, with Lesley coming out on top.
Fergus Wheeler, Chairman of award sponsor the William Johnston Memorial Trust, said:
"The William Johnston Memorial Trust is delighted to again sponsor the Local Government Employee of The Year Award. The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognise excellence within local government and this year has seen a marked increase in the number and quality of nominations thereby fulfilling the aims of the award. We applaud all the participants for their efforts. A special congratulations to Lesley for being awarded the top prize and to everyone who was shortlisted this year.”
NILGA Office Bearer, Alderman Hazel Legge said:
“The strength and quality of this year’s entries are testament to the skilled, talented, and caring workforce within local government in Northern Ireland. Councils can only deliver the essential public services we all enjoy through the tireless work of our council officers and employees. Whether that’s waste management, local economic development, community planning, arts and culture, or any number of other key services, our council officers are what makes local government function on a daily basis. Congratulations to all those who were shortlisted for this year’s Local Government Employee of the Year Award and a special congratulations to Lesley for her recognition.”
LCCC Chief Executive David Burns said:
“Lisburn & Castlereagh arts team consistently delivers a world-class programme of arts and heritage events across a broad spectrum of genres. From arts and tourism projects that attract new visitors, including the recently opened ‘Guess How Much I love You’ Trail, to delivering arts and crafts workshops and attracting top performers across theatre, music and comedy. Lesley Wilson is a true asset to the team and a very worthy winner. We are delighted she has been recognised in this way.”
14 local government employees were nominated for this year’s Local Government Employee of the Year award, sponsored by the William Johnston Memorial Trust. Please see below a full list of those nominated, their councils, and their job titles.
|
Name |
Title |
Council |
|
Ciara Toman |
Regeneration, Business Support and Development Officer |
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
|
Lesley Kerr |
Interim Policy Manager & DPO |
Mid & East Antrim Borough Council |
|
Lesley Wilson |
Community Arts Officer |
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council |
|
Paul McDermott |
Lead Planner |
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
|
Jonathon McCarron |
Performance Improvement Officer |
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
|
Karla McKinless |
Principal Planning Officer (Magherafelt and Cookstown Team Lead) |
Mid Ulster Council |
|
Barry Duffy |
Head Caretaker - Monaghan Row Council Offices, Newry |
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
|
Denise McGill |
Human Resources Officer |
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
|
Sarah Fenton |
Organisation Development Officer |
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
|
Sally Andrée |
Records Manager |
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
|
Ann McComb |
Receptionist / Administrator |
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
|
Anthony Swineburn |
Waste Operative / Loader |
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
|
Daryl Ross |
Groundsperson |
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
|
Kevin Bloomfield |
Northern Ireland Houses in Multiple Occupation Manager |
Belfast City Council |
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