For her work with hard to reach communities and support for grassroot organisations, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, Cllr Saima Ashraf, was last night (Thursday 26 November), awarded the coveted Community Champion Award at the LGIU and CCLA annual Cllr Awards 2020.

 

Cllr Ashraf was chosen because of ‘her ability to work with different and hard to reach sectors which is needed now more than ever. Judges were impressed by the sustainability, breadth and longevity of her community work’.

I am so honoured to have won the LGIU and CCLA Community Champion Cllr Award. Community spirit and togetherness has been even more important this year and I feel privileged to represent my borough and all the communities that make it a place we are all proud to call home.

The Awards showcase the best of local government. At a time when the country faces one of the greatest hardships of our lifetime, now, more than ever, it is so important that these unsung heroes of local government who are working tirelessly to keep their communities and the country afloat during the pandemic, are honoured. 

Cllr Ashraf always goes that extra mile to support and engage with her local community. A single mum who has inspired community initiatives as diverse as dance groups to local football clubs and much more. Organisations she works with, said that the key to her success is her bubbly personality, while being passionate about the development of local grass roots groups in the borough. 

She has helped raise thousands of pounds through the Community Infrastructure Levy to support a range of community initiatives to support local groups to put together a range of activities. She stands out as a great motivator, providing hope, faith and encouragement to everyone in the borough. 

Cllr Ashraf said: “I am so honoured to have won the LGIU and CCLA Community Champion Cllr Award. Community spirit and togetherness has been even more important this year and I feel privileged to represent my borough and all the communities that make it a place we are all proud to call home. It is so important to me to be a voice for our residents and I will continue to do so as we are one borough, one community, making sure no one is left behind.

“This award is for every resident in Barking and Dagenham and it is testimony to the work we continue to do to make the borough a better place.”

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU said: “I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Cllr Ashraf and thank her for her commitment to local government. We look forward to hearing more about her continued accomplishments in the future.”

Watch the awards: