We are hugely proud and delighted to share that our Town Clerk, Brie Logan has been announced as a finalist in the National Association of Local Council’s (NALC) Star Awards for Clerk of the Year!
You can read the award submission, written by the Mayor, Cllr Virginia Edwyn-Jones, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Andy Hollingshead and former Mayor, Cllr Piers Brown, in full below:
Brie Logan’s time at Shaftesbury Town Council in Dorset has been extraordinary. As a leader who leads by example, her boundless enthusiasm and exceptional communication skills have united her team, councillors, stakeholders, residents, and unitary officers in a mission of excellence. Brie’s ambitions for Shaftesbury far surpass typical small-town council objectives, igniting inspiration throughout the community. Her keen eye for possibilities and funding avenues has led to her realising numerous strategic priorities. Notably, she secured £500k for a state-of-the-art 3G football pitch, financed by a loan repaid through income generated by a new car park, an ingenious solution addressing town centre parking shortages while promoting accessible sports facilities for all.
From day one, Brie prioritised community engagement, forging partnerships with local organisations, volunteers, and stakeholders. This collaborative approach has cemented the council’s reputation as an integral part of the community. Brie faced the challenge of repairing strained relations with the principal authority due to disruptive councillors. Rather than isolating them, she worked to encourage their participation, demonstrating remarkable professionalism and diplomacy. Her commitment to understanding individual councillors and staff members has harnessed their strengths, fostering a united effort for the council and community.
Brie’s unwavering dedication to her role and community-focused approach has set high expectations within Shaftesbury. Her ability to proactively address emerging issues, such as securing a private car park for market traders, demonstrates her commitment to pre-empting potential challenges and criticism. One of Brie’s standout achievements has been the transformation of St James’s Park play provision. She navigated funding uncertainties and managed public feedback with finesse. Her rapport with stakeholders ensured the project remained on budget, overcoming resistance from vocal doubters, resulting in an acclaimed and unanimously approved play area that delighted even the community’s youngest members.
Her private sector background has enriched the council’s decision-making process, emphasising data-driven choices over perception-based ones. Notably, she swiftly pedestrianised the High Street during the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning stakeholders’ interests to create a permanent change supported by over 80% of businesses and the public.
Brie Logan’s transformative leadership at Shaftesbury Town Council has not only elevated the council’s performance. Still, it has also inspired a culture of community collaboration, innovation, and results-driven governance. Her exceptional achievements make her a beacon of excellence in local government leadership.
The winners will be announced at a parliamentary reception in the House of Lords on Wednesday 29th November 2023.
About the NALC Star Awards
NALC’s Star Council Awards are the only awards in England that recognise local (parish and town) councils’ contributions to their communities. The long-running awards celebrate local councils, councillors, young councillors, county associations and clerks’ positive impact on their communities.
You can find out more information about the awards on the NALC website.