THE leader of Redditch borough council has been put forward for a National Diversity Award.
Councillor Bill Hartnett (Lab, Church Hill) was nominated by local businessman Nitin Sodha who said: “He has done so much for the town in bringing the community together, not just people of faith but those of no faith, the LGBT community and more.
“Not only that but, putting politics aside, he has worked with the MP for the greater good and if we can get someone like that to the top, we can get Redditch to the top.”
Coun Hartnett, who works for an engineering company, has been instrumental in fostering good relations across the town, working with the borough’s various ethnic communities and special interest groups to enhance a sense of common goals while celebrating distinctiveness.
This has led him to forging strong links with the Polish and Moslem communities, get involved with the Kerala Cultural Association, play a key role in Redditch’s highly successful faith walks and be there for Special Olympics Redditch.
Meanwhile the council he leads recently received national recognition for its work with the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans community from Stonewall, which carries the slogan ‘Acceptance without Exception’.
“He has shown great leadership and has got involved in all sorts of activities whether it’s to foster social cohesion, promote music with the bandstand events and promote the heritage of the town – all this and the guy is so humble he just gets on with it – and he still works and does all his council work too.” said Mr Sodha.
A rather bashful Coun Hartnett, who lives in neighbouring Bromsgrove, said: “I’m honoured – it’s a really nice gesture to nominate me, but everything I’ve done has been for the town – I see championing diversity and all those things as just part of the job.”
To add your support to Coun Hartnett’s nomination, visit http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/ click on Nominate, and put in the name Bill Hartnett.