Mayor congratulates Council on APSE award nominations
30 July 2025
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, has congratulated Council staff on securing three nominations in the local Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards.
The visitor services team at the Guildhall have been included among the nominations for Best Service Team of the Year: Sports, Leisure and Cultural service for their work to achieve eco-excellence and sustainability, while the Go Succeed team, representing all eleven local councils, are among those shortlisted in the Best Commercialisation Entrepreneurship Initiative and the Best Collaborative Working Initiative categories.
The APSE Awards acknowledge outstanding work in local public services and the dedication of frontline service teams in supporting local communities.
Mayor McHugh said he was delighted to see Derry City and Strabane District Council included in three of the key categories and wished the teams well in the competition, with winners being announced in September. “Council staff across the board excel every day in delivering and improving services for the public,” he declared. “The needs of the local community always come first, and Council is continually striving to find new, innovative and sustainable ways to meet those expectations.
“I want to congratulate the Guildhall and Go Succeed teams for their dedication and expertise, which has drawn the attention of the judges, and I wish them all the very best when it comes to the final announcement in September.”
The APSE Awards are specific to frontline services provided by UK local authorities and the winners are selected by a panel of expert judges. This year, the Awards include 17 categories, covering the vast majority of local services.
The Awards will take place at the end of APSE’s annual seminar 2025 being held at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 September. The shortlist for the prestigious Overall Council of the Year Award is still under deliberation and will be announced at a later date.