Work of East Ren councillor recognised with nomination

Councillor Barbara Grant will find out this evening (Thursday) whether she has been named local politician of the year at The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2013.

The councillor is attend ing the ceremony at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield house hotel.

Councillor Grant, who represents Newton Mearns South, has been on the council since its inception in 1995/96.

Prior to that, she was a member of the former Eastwood district council.

She told The Extra: “I’m very pleased to be nominated. Councillors are here to work hard to try to the best for their communities, but it is nice to get some recognition.”

Among her achievements have been membership of the Strathclyde Police board.

She is also vice-chair of the council’s audit committee and spokesperson on COSLA’s community safety executive, which involved helping police forces and fire services with the transition to Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue.

Along with councillor Tony Buchanan, she is one of four Scottish COSLA representatives on a European parliament committee.

The Committee of the Regions discuss policy at a European level and is made up of elected representatives from across the EU.

Local politician of the year is one of nine categories at this year’s awards.