KIRKLEES Council has been shortlisted for three more awards.

The authority won Council of the Year at last month’s Local Government Chronicle awards.

Now the council has been shortlisted in three categories at the Municipal Journal Awards.

The authority will go up against Hackney, Rotherham, Bedford, Fenland and South Tyneside for the title Best Achieving Council of the Year at the ceremony in June.

And Kirklees has also been nominated for two awards for its training of councillors.

Council leader Clr Robert Light welcomed the news.

He said: “The consistency with which Kirklees is being recognised as a high-performing local authority reflects our commitment to ensure we maintain high levels of service and strive to improve even further.

“Awards in themselves are very pleasing. But what is most important is they reflect the high standard of service to our residents.”

And Clr Light paid tribute to Kirklees staff.

He said: “Once again it is a credit to our workforce and other organisations who work with us to provide vital services to local people, that we have been shortlisted for the highest award by the Municipal Journal.”

Clr Andrew Palfreeman, Cabinet member for governance, welcomed news that Kirklees has also been shortlisted for two councillor development awards.

He said: “People’s expectations of their councillors have changed dramatically.

“The role is much more accountable, professional and demanding than ever before and we have to make sure that councillors are properly supported to fulfil what is expected of them.

“Councillors have moved from spending time sitting in committee meetings to a much more hands-on role serving their local areas and communities.”

Clr Palfreeman said Kirklees takes councillor training seriously.

He said: “We place great emphasis on making sure all councillors are able to take part in training and development so they are equipped to do their job professionally and with the necessary support.

“Among the training and development activities a number of councillors have successfully completed the postgraduate certificate in public sector modernisation, which was the first university accredited-course for councillors in the country.”