More than 200 applications from across 32 Scottish Councils were submitted to this year’s awards, which aim to celebrate the very best of Scottish Local Government. Judges then had the unenviable task of selecting just three finalists per category.

Falkirk Council made the cut for its 24/7 CCTV/Digital Alarms Hub, wellbeing activity in its libraries, the regeneration of Zetland Park, and its pioneering grass management project (pictured).

Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, welcomed the news saying: "To have one project nominated is a great achievement, so to have four is outstanding and testament to the quality of work being undertaken by Falkirk Council services to help strengthen local communities.

“Whether its supporting residents directly through the work of our libraries and enhancing our green and open spaces, or indirectly through the adoption of pioneering new digital technology, our services are constantly striving to make a difference in people’s lives. This is a great endorsement for Falkirk Council, and everyone involved should be very proud of this achievement."

Although the shortlisting process was difficult, Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said it had been “wonderful to hear so many positive and inspiring stories from council teams".

She said: “What really shone through from the entries this year was innovation and creativity at a local level to overcome challenges - and the sheer determination from Scotland’s councils to simply make people’s lives better at a very challenging time for all.”

The finalists

The shortlist features a series of projects that highlight areas of best practice and innovative service delivery, with the overall winners set to be announced at in late September.

With four projects in the running to pick up an award, Falkirk Council is the most shortlisted Council this year, followed only by West Lothian with two nominations.

Category 1: Service innovation and improvement Delivering

• School Meals by Drones – Argyll and Bute Council
• Healthier Homes Project – Stirling Council
• 24/7 CCTV/Digital Alarms Hub – Falkirk Council

Category 2: Achieving better outcomes for the most vulnerable in partnership

• Lighthouse - Perth and Kinross Council
• Building Skills Together Refugee Integration Project – Dundee City Council
• Upstreaming Prevention of Youth Homelessness - West Lothian Council

Category 3: Tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing

• Implementing regulate, relate, reason in education - Fife Council
• Libraries for wellbeing - Falkirk Council
• Alcohol and substance awareness education resource - Renfrewshire Council

Category 4: Strengthening communities and local democracy

• Zetland Park Project - Falkirk Council
• Historic Links to Slavery - Inverclyde Council
• Joint Bonfire Protocol and Multi-Agency Control Centre - Glasgow City Council, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability

Category 5: Just transition to a net zero economy

• Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project – Orkney Islands Council
• Blackburn as a Climate Action Town – West Lothian Council
• Sustainable Grass Management Pilot Project – Falkirk Council