One of Dundee's longest serving councillors was given a lifetime achievement award at a special awards ceremony last night.
Willie Sawers, Dundee City Council's depute leader and finance spokesman, was awarded the honour at the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) Councillor Awards after almost 30 years of being a local representative.
The LGiU used the SNP councillor's work on the MacMillan Improving the Cancer Journey project as an example of his "behind the scenes" work to improve the lives of people in Dundee.
It said of Sawers' nomination: " Dundee has a lot to thank Willie Sawers for but mention his name and people might say: 'Who?'
"He works behind the scenes, out of the limelight, but we're going to put that right this evening.
"His tireless work has helped deliver the progress to date on the £1bn Waterfront, V&A, 14 new schools and so much more."
Sawers was not present to collect his award in Glasgow on Wednesday night.
His no-show prompted ceremony host Paul Murricane to joke: "Now I did say that Willie Sawers worked behind the scenes and under the radar - so much behind the scenes that he's not actually here tonight to accept his award.
"We congratulate him anyway for being an exemplar of what a lifetime's contribution to local government can achieve."
Nevertheless, the veteran councillor has been congratulated by his colleagues.
Dundee council leader John Alexander said on Twitter : "Huge congratulations to my Depute, colleague and friend Councillor Willie Sawers.
"He works tirelessly, often in the background, to keep the city ticking over."
Cllr Sawers was first elected in the Whitfield ward of Dundee District Council in 1992, after narrowly missing out on victory in 1988.
He has been returned to represent the area in every election since, even after electoral lines were redrawn in 1995 and 2007.
Sawers was then made a Bailie - a largely ceremonial honour bestowed upon Dundee's longer-serving councillors - after the 2007 election.
His fellow SNP ward councillor Steven Rome was shortlisted for a New Councillor of the Year award.
But Rome - first elected in 2017 - lost out to an elected member from Dumfries and Galloway.
Jonathan Carr-West, LGiU Scotland boss, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Cllr Awards. These councillors showcase the best of local government across Scotland.
"During a time when our communities have experienced unprecedented challenges and pressures, these councillors are paving the way towards recovery.
"I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Bailie Sawers and all of tonight’s Cllr Awards winners."
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