Argyll and Bute Council, Falkirk Council, Inverclyde Council, Orkney Islands Council, Renfrewshire Council, Stirling Council, West Lothian Council and a partnership between Dundee City Council, Fife Council, Clackmannanshire Council and WEA have all been named winners.

The event recognised areas of best practice and innovative service delivery over five categories – Service Innovation and Improvement; Achieving Better Outcomes for the Most Vulnerable in Partnership; Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing; Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy, and Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy.

Scotland’s 32 councils were invited over the summer to submit entries to a judging panel comprising a number of experts across local and national government as well as the private sector.

More than 200 applications were received, and the judges had the unenviable task of choosing just five category winners, as well as the winners of four special awards - COSLA Chairperson’s Award, SOLACE Best Team Award, The Scottish Government – Delivering Excellence Award, and the Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award.

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA president and chairperson of the Awards, said: “I am delighted to have chaired this year’s COSLA Excellence Awards, my first Awards as COSLA President. These awards are always an eagerly-awaited night on the local government calendar and I’m so pleased we have been able to celebrate in person this year for the first time since 2019.

“As part of the judging panel and it has been an inspiration to hear of the incredible work our council teams are doing to deliver lifeline services for the people in their communities – especially to those most vulnerable.

“The local authority workforce really are working day in and day out to keep us healthy, well, connected and create opportunities for learning and recreation, and their work is so much a part of the fabric of our local areas that it’s rarely recognised to the degree it should be. Their impact is almost immeasurable, and that’s why what we do at the Excellence Awards is so important – spotlighting some prime examples of Councils delivering excellence and raising awareness of why what they do is so important.

“What really shone through for me from this year’s entries was the sheer creativity and passion for their local communities – seeing people turn their local knowledge into incredible partnerships and projects to benefit the people living in their communities and generations to come is truly heartwarming.

“So, huge congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners – it has been a pleasure to celebrate your hard work and dedication.”

This year’s winners are:

Category 1: Service Innovation and Improvement

• Winner: Delivering School Meals by Drones – Argyll and Bute Council

Category 2: Achieving Better Outcomes For The Most Vulnerable in Partnership

• Winner: Upstreaming Prevention of Youth Homelessness - West Lothian Council

Category 3: Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing

• Winner: ‘I Am Me’ Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education Resource - Renfrewshire Council

Category 4: Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy

• Winner: Historic Links to Slavery – Inverclyde Council

Category 5: Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy

• Winner: Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project - Orkney Islands Council

Scottish Government – Delivering Excellence Award

• Winner: Healthier Homes Project - Stirling Council

COSLA Chairperson’s Award

• Winner: Libraries for Wellbeing - Falkirk Council

SOLACE Best Team Award

• Winner: Zetland Park Project - Falkirk Council

Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award

• Winner: Building Skills Together Refugee Integration Project - Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire Councils and WEA Scotland.