A Thurrock councillor has scooped a national award for her dedication to her job and the borough.

Councillor Sue Little, responsible for social care, picked up a national LGIU award for the Health and Care Category at the annual ceremony on Tuesday, November 7, at the Guildhall in London.

Councillor Little has had many great achievements, including the Give a Gift campaign, but she puts Shared Lives up the top.

She said: “Without a doubt, Shared Lives was one of my priority ambitions – even from before I was a Portfolio Holder

“Shared Lives can offer an alternative to traditional cares homes and has flexibility to offer either long term accommodation of short breaks. I expect the scheme to support 75 people over the coming five years."

Shared lives is a service which offers adults with care needs the chance to live or stay with trained carers as part of their family.

The LGIU is the Local Government Information Unit, an independent organisation supporting councils and councillors.

The judging panel for the awards included a mix of other councillors and chief executives of Local Authorities.

Councillor Little, who was first elected as a councillor in May 2012 and became the Portfolio Holder for Children’s and Adults Social Care in May 2016, managed to win in her category.

She added: “This award – although very humbling – simply would not have been possible without the energy, commitment and determination of such brilliant officers who have helped achieve these ambitions – to them, I want to say a huge thank you on behalf of Thurrock’s residents.”