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Former council leader up for Lifetime Legend award
22/10/2024
Barry Wood led Cherwell District Council for twenty years until this May
The man who led Cherwell District Council for twenty years is up for an award at an annual ceremony to celebrate the vital work of councillors.
Barry Wood is nominated in the Lifetime Legend category at the Local Government Information Unit and CCLA Cllr Awards.
Each year the Lifetime Legend Award celebrates a councillor who has dedicated 15 or more years to serving their local community through their role on the council, maintaining their passion and enthusiasm for improving the lives of their residents.
Having been first elected to Cherwell District Council in 1983, as the leader of the Conservative group Councillor Wood was elected to the role of Leader of the Council in 2004. He held that role until earlier this year.
The Cllr Award winners will be announced at the Guildhall in London on November 20. 350 people were nominated across five categories.
Speaking to Banbury FM at the time of stepping down as the leader of the Conservative group at Cherwell Councillor Wood said of his time leading the council: “There have been lots of challenges at different times. You always have to be on the front foot, innovate and look for new solutions. Even if there isn’t a challenge it’s good to always have a continuous improvement culture. I’ve been lucky with the officers at Cherwell District Council because they’ve endorsed that philosophy and it’s been very successful.”
He added: “I am proud of the regeneration work we’ve done at Pioneer Square and at Castle Quay 2; I’m proud of the way in which we’ve improved the leisure centres, including building a new one at Spiceball; and I’m proud of the work that we’ve done in helping with mini crises in society, like when there was the pandemic.”
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit said: “The judging panel was blown away by the number of extremely high quality nominations this year, with councillors up and down the country going the extra mile for residents. The shortlist for the 2024 Cllr Awards contains the most devoted elected representatives in England, Wales and Scotland.
“With councils operating under enormous pressure, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors achieve in the places we live. Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam