Islington Lib Dems awarded for supporting leisure, culture, and regeneration

4.45.27pm GMT Wed 11th Mar 2009

Councillors Lucy Watt and Ruth Polling with the Islington Liberal Democrats' new award for supporting leisure, culture, and regeneration.

Islington Liberal Democrats have been acknowledged by their colleagues across the country as a national leader for supporting leisure, culture, and regeneration. Islington councillors were given the award by the Local Government Association at the Liberal Democrat spring conference in Harrogate.

The Islington Lib Dems were particularly commended for the borough's response to the recession, which focuses on supporting local businesses and helping local people into training and apprenticeships. The councillors were also congratulated for their work on arts, culture, sports, and leisure.

Councillor Lucy Watt, Islington's deputy leader and lead member for for skills and business, said:

"Islington's Lib Dem council have made a huge effort to support access to sports and the arts. We are also taking the lead in helping residents through the recession. We launched our ten point action plan in December, and this award recognises this work, including our commitment to 100 council apprenticeships for local people and the support we are giving to local businesses struggling through this difficult time."

"Islington has really led the way nationally with our work to tackle the recession, and I am really pleased to see this recognised by Nick Clegg and the whole Liberal Democrat party."

Islington Lib Dems were commended for:

• Supporting businesses through the recession.

• Making apprenticeships available for local people, and helping over 700 people last year into work and work experience placements.

• Building a brand new museum in Islington.

• Opening the new Lewis Carroll Children's Library.

• Working with Arsenal to promote sports and open new football pitches.

• Major investment in Islington's parks.

• Planning major capital investment in Islington's leisure centres.