A parish council official has been named among the finalists in a national Clerk of the Year competition.

Adam Shanley, the clerk of the City of Durham Parish Council, has been shortlisted for the title as part of the National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) Star Council Awards 2022.

They are only awards in England which recognise the local (parish and town) council sector.

They celebrate the positive impact local councils, councillors, young councillors, clerks and county associations make on their communities.

Durham’s city parish council, first established in 2018, is one of the youngest of its kind in the country.

It is the only council across County Durham to feature in the final of NALC’s national award this year.

Mr Shanley is responsible for the day-to-day management of the council’s work alongside 15 local councillors for the City of Durham parish area.

He made news himself previously when he helped to thwart a street mugging while on a walkabout meeting with local residents.

Read more: City of Durham Parish Council clerk helps thwart street mugging

Mr Shanley is among five clerks from across the country to make the final.

Councillor Alan Doig, who chairs the council, described the shortlisting as, “phenomenal” for the parish.

“We are thrilled that Adam has been named a finalist for this prestigious award.

“He is the only employee of the council which covers a vast area and is known to be the central hub of our county.”

Cllr Doig said Mr Shanley has helped the parish in the staging of several major events in the city, provided expertise and knowledge on planning and legal matters, and supported the establishment of a Safety of Women at Night hub in Durham.

He added that under Mr Shanley’s stewardship the parish council has fully-established itself as, “a major player in the life of the city.”

Welcoming the news, Mr Shanley said: “This has come as a really lovely surprise.

“For me, waking up every morning to work to make Durham City an even better place than it is, is the real privilege and honour.

“There’s something really magic about the city and its residents.

“As my fellow finalists know in this role, you devote your life to your community and I wish them all the very best of luck in the world.”

The award winners will be announced in an online ceremony later in the year.

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