The Mayor of Southwark

The Southwark Civic Awards are awarded each year. They recognise exceptional contributions to civic, community or family life by individuals, businesses, projects or organisations.  

Nominees may have given many years of service, or made an exceptional contribution to civic and community life in the previous year. 

Apart from the rarely-conferred Honorary Freedom of Southwark, the Southwark Civic Awards are the most prestigious we can make. Only a handful are awarded each year.

Final decisions are made by our Audit, Governance and Standards (Civic Awards) Sub-Committee, except for the Mayor’s Discretionary Award. They are supported in their decision-making by 4 co-opted members of the community, voluntary or business sector.

Awards

The awards given are:

• The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey
• The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell
• The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Southwark
• The Young Citizen of the Year Award, recognising the exceptional community spirit, generosity or civic mindedness of a person under 25 
• The Southwark Together Award, recognising a person who has gone above the call of duty to promote equality, diversity and inclusion
• The Climate Champion Award, recognising a person who has made an impact reducing greenhouse emissions
• The Mayor's Discretionary Award, recognising a person, business, project or organisation that has made the most outstanding contribution to community life

The awards ceremony

The awards are presented on the day of the annual council assembly. This takes place in May at Southwark Cathedral, when the new Mayor of Southwark is elected and formally installed. Each recipient receives a scroll of honour.