PROUD Councils - a group of eight south Wales local authorities committed to improving support offered to LGBT+ staff within councils - has been shortlisted for the public sector equality award in the PinkNews awards.

The group - Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea councils - also seek to ensure local government across Wales is a visible leader in the field of LGBT+ rights, actively championing LGBT+ inclusion in communities.

The PinkNews public sector equality award celebrates parts of the UK’s governmental or other public bodies that are making a change for the better.

Cllr Carol Andrews, Caerphilly council's cabinet member for education and communities, and LGBTQ+ champion, said: “We are thrilled that the Proud Councils partnership has been recognised for its work for LGBTQ+ inclusion."