THE LOCAL COUNCIL AWARD SCHEME SET UP BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS EXISTS;
TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSES OF THE VERY BEST LOCAL COUNCILS, AND TO PROVIDE
A FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT ALL LOCAL COUNCILS TO MEET THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
The Local Council Award Scheme has been designed to both provide the tools and encouragement to those councils at the beginning of their improvement journeys, as well as promoting and recognising councils that are at the cutting edge of the sector. It is only through the sector working together to share best practice, drive up standards and supporting those who are committed to improving their offer to their communities that individual councils and the sector as a whole will reach its full potential. The scheme was created in 2014 and is managed on behalf of local councils by the Improvement and Development Board (IDB).
Councils can apply for an award at one of three levels:
The Foundation Award demonstrates that a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice.
The Quality Award demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement.
The Quality Gold Award demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.
The scheme sets out criteria to meet at each level covering selected aspects of the council’s work. Councils can seek to progress through the tiers over time thereby raising standards. Councils of any size can aspire to an award appropriate for their budget and level of activity.
To support transparency, every award level has a requirement for certain information to be published online (plus some information that does not need to be published). In all instances the council confirms that the required documents, information and conditions are in place (whether published or not) by resolution in public at a full council meeting. For Quality Gold, councils also provide statements for submission to the panel demonstrating excellence in their activities. The panel may ask for additional information to check the accuracy of claims.
Parish Council Progress to achieving Foundation Award Status:-
An Advisory Committee of the Parish Council was set up in Mar 2020 with the primary aim of advising the Parish Council on what would be required to achieve the Local Council Award Foundation Award, and to assist in delivering the process requirements needed.
Formal application for the Local Council Award was submitted to NALC in May.
Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis - preparing plans, policy documents and procedures to present to the council for adoption.
Minutes are taken and are published on this page.