Renfrewshire Council has been nominated in two categories at the 2024 COSLA Excellence Awards, which recognise achievements by Scottish local authorities.
After all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities and partner organisations were invited to submit entries, 15 finalists have now been chosen from more than 200 applicants.
Renfrewshire Council has been shortlisted in two separate categories - the only local authority or partner organisation to appear on the list of finalists more than once.
The AMIDS District Heating Network is a contender in the ‘just transition to a net zero economy’ category, while the Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub is nominated for the ‘strengthening communities and local democracy’ award.
The £1.7m AMIDS project, funded by Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, is a low-carbon heating network which supplies heat and hot water 90% more sustainably than a gas boiler.
Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said she was “delighted” by the heating network’s nomination, which she said “highlighted the many positive and innovative projects coming from across Scottish local government".
Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub, which also contains Paisley Central Library, was opened in November last year following the £7m transformation of a previously disused retail unit on Paisley High Street.
The project received funding from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and has already picked up a number of design awards.
George Adams, MSP for Paisley, said that the double nomination was “an amazing achievement" and both project teams should be incredibly proud of their contribution to the local community.
The Learning and Cultural Hub has already proven to be a “valuable and well-used resource for our town,” he added.
Iain Nicolson, Renfrewshire Council leader, said: "It's fantastic to see two Renfrewshire Council projects nominated for excellence awards and is a testament to the work of the council teams leading both of these projects.
“Both are prime examples of this council's ability to deliver significant projects successfully as we continue to give people more reasons to live, work, visit and invest in Renfrewshire."
All the finalists will now be invited to present their projects to a panel of judges in August led by COSLA President Shona Morrison, who will decide on a winner in each of the five main categories, as well as the recipients of an additional four special awards.
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