Lib Dem leader of Sheffield Council wins top European honour

By Helen Duffett | Tue 16th November 2010 - 11:18 am

Paul Scriven, the Leader of Sheffield City Council, has won a Europe-wide award for the work he and his Liberal Democrat colleagues have done to put power into the hands of Sheffield people.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe held their Leader Awards last night, “recognising the work of outstanding local and regional liberal and democrat politicians.”

Cllr Scriven received the Achievement in Local Government Award. Others up for award included local politicians from France, Croatia and Holland.

Since Paul became the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council in 2008 Sheffield has seen a raft of new ideas to devolve power:

The creation of powerful local decision making bodies called Community Assemblies

Community Justice panels which have drastically reduced low level crime re-offending rates

“Participatory budgeting” events which have involved people in local decision-making as they voted to decide which community projects will go ahead in their local area.

Paul Scriven said,

I’m delighted to win the award and be able to promote Sheffield across Europe off the back of it. Giving local people control over their own community is something I came into politics to do. Therefore it’s good to know others think we are making progress on just that here in Sheffield.

Although it’s nice to be recognised for the work we are doing, I know that the real judges are the local people of Sheffield themselves. However, I hope this shows that we are delivering on the things we said we would on the Council.

3 Comments

Steve Way 16th Nov '10 - 11:35am

Spot the difference:

Sheffield Lib Dem Councillor “delivering on the things we said we would on the Council”. Wins award.

Sheffield Lib Dem MP plans to break pledge. Loses respect.

The former an example of why I voted Lib Dem, the latter a reason why I doubt I will be able to do so again with the current leadership. Perhaps a timely rem
Steve Way 16th Nov '10 - 11:37am

sorry forum interuptus..

Perhaps a timely reminder of why the Lib Dems won so many over in recent years. Honest principled service at the local level. Grounded principled policies at the national level.
Maureen Rigg 17th Nov '10 - 8:54am

Sadly, I think Steve has hit the proverbial nail on the head. So much good work at local level is being undermined by the Parliamentary leadership seeming to welcome with open arms things which we campaigned against.
I fully accept the need for compromise in a coalition. As one speaker at conference said “Every family is a coalition”, we all have experience of living in one. What I cannot accept is this blind welcome for the bad things.
On the bright side – I heard Paul Scriven at a conference fringe talking about what they’ve done and it was both terrifying and inspiring. I’m glad it’s gained international recognition.

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