A DYMAMIC man who has made a big difference to the community has won a prestigious national award.

Adam Keppel-Green has been named town clerk of the year in the NALC Star Council Awards.

The 31-year-old scooped the top prize at the annual event which celebrates the contribution 10,000 parish and town councils across the country make to their communities.

"I wasn't expecting to win," said Adam, who joined Knutsford Town Council in September 2012 as deputy town clerk and became town clerk in April 2014.

"I was quite taken aback. Anything I have done to be deserving is because I've got a really supportive town council and office team."

With drive and determination, Adam has helped the council to grow and develop.

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Achieving Local Council Award Scheme Quality Gold status would not have been possible without him.

Leading by example, he has come up with new ideas and innovative projects.

"It is one of the most rewarding jobs there can be," said Adam. "The role of clerk is very diverse, a jack of all trades.

"I oversee everything the council does from managing the cemetery to events and help develop projects.

"When councillors make a decision, I make sure it happens, sometimes that means doing research.

Knutsford Guardian:

Adam Keppel-Green has been named town clerk of the year at the NALC Star Council Awards

 

"A lot of it is communication. I enjoy problem solving. I get a kick seeing things happen in the town.

"I can't see myself doing anything else. It is not a job you could get bored with. It allows a lot of creativity."

As director of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), he has developed key relationships with other clerks and officers, creating a network of resource sharing.

"I do this in my own time but it gives me a deeper understanding of issues affecting councils across the country," he said.

"Knutsford has a strong community spirit that the council helps to support."

Mayor Cllr Stewart Gardiner said: "His energy, his ability to develop the council in a way that perhaps we weren't going naturally has been to the benefit of everyone in the town.

"Without Adam we wouldn't be where we are today. He has a very big reputation in the clerking world.

"This award is incredibly well deserved."

Adam is also clerk to Gawsworth Parish Council, board member of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils and training officer for the Cheshire branch of the SLCC.