A Calderdale Council solicitor has earned a prestigious national role for her outstanding work, putting Calderdale on the map for leading the way in local government law.
Aneeka Muneer, the Council’s Principal Litigation Solicitor, was appointed President of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
LLG is the national voice of lawyers and governance officers working in councils across England and Wales, to provide support and improve the sector to benefit communities.
As LLG President, Aneeka will steer the strategic direction of the organisation for the benefit of the sector and its members. LLG works with a number of organisations to provide guidance, codes and protocols on all aspects of local authority law and practice, together with embedding governance, ethics and standards across the sector.
Aneeka said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be appointed President of Lawyers in Local Government. I intend to continue to drive forward the amazing work achieved so far at a national level. I’m proud to help place Yorkshire on the national horizon for legal services, and to bring further recognition for Calderdale in its Year of Culture 2024.
“Following on from the work we have already started at LLG within equalities, diversity and inclusion, I want to drive home the message around the importance of representation and the concept of, ‘I can see it – I can be it’. Not just in the leaders which represent us but also at entry level, implanting aspirational dreams into future generations. I want to ensure that people from all backgrounds are encouraged into the legal profession, so that we may ‘grow our own’ to become a reflective, sustainable workplace.”
At Calderdale Council, Aneeka is responsible for legal services in childcare, adult social care, education, employment and civil / criminal litigation. She joined the Council in 2022 after 17 years of service at Bradford Council. Aneeka is also Deputy Monitoring Officer, focusing on legal matters around the governance of Calderdale Council, and delivers LLG training on regulatory prosecutions.
Robin Tuddenham, Calderdale Council’s Chief Executive, said:
“Well done, Aneeka! This is an amazing achievement. Aneeka does excellent work upholding ethical standards and good governance at Calderdale Council, and I know she will continue this in her new national role. It showcases the talent of our workforce, and is great news for Calderdale in further strengthening our influence and impact at a national level, reinforcing how we are known as a well-regarded, well-led local authority.
“This is especially significant as we are now in the landmark 50th year since Calderdale and the Council were formed.”
Calderdale reached its 50th anniversary on 1 April 2024. This is the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Find out more about it here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
As 2024 closes, the transition to the new Vision 2034 for Calderdale will begin, encouraging local communities to be bold and ambitious about what we can do next to make Calderdale a better place for all.