THE former leader of Barnsley Council Sir Steve Houghton admits it was ‘overwhelming’ to receive a lifetime achievement award at the LGC Awards this week.

Sir Steve was first elected onto the council in 1988 before being made the leader eight years later in 1996.

He became the chair of SIGOMA in 1999 before being awarded a CBE for services to local government in 2004.

He was later knighted by the Queen in 2013.

Steve has overseen a number of key projects in the town including Health on the High Street and the Pathways to Work scheme, leading Barnsley Council to be the first to be named Council of the Year at both the LGC and MJ Awards.

His Labour group are now the opposition in the town hall after Reform were voted in as the majority party at last month’s local elections.

Steve admitted to the Chronicle that this week’s award was not quite in the context he would have liked but it was an overwhelming moment nonetheless.

He added: “The ultimate respect that you can get is obviously from you residents but to get the support and respect from people all across local government is great.

“I’ve never been one to rest on my laurels it’s always ‘what else can we do?’

“I don’t pat myself on the back and that’s still my mindset now.

“But the award is nice to remind yourself that it’s not all been a waste of time.”

On being an opposition councillor and stepping down from his role as the Labour leader in Barnsley he added: “It’s not what I’m used to but we’ve got to get used to it.

“We’ll rebuild Labour for the general election and then the local elections.

“We’ll come back stronger.”

LGC acting editor Martin George added: “He has been a tireless advocate for fairer funding for local authorities.

“Securing increased investment for communities most in need and strengthening the voice of urban councils.”