The Local Council Award Scheme was launched on 6th January 2015.
The Award Scheme has been designed to 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 service to their communities that individual councils and the sector as a whole will reach its full potential.
The Local Council Award Scheme is available at three levels:
- Foundation
- Quality
- Quality Gold
The Foundation level is one stage before the previous Quality status and gaining it indicates that minimum standards have been achieved. Achieving the Quality Award indicates that a council follows good practice and achieving Quality Gold indicates that a council demonstrates best practice.
The scheme has three themes:
1. Good governance
2. Community leadership
3. Council development
The tests for each level of the award look for evidence of achievements in these three areas. Evidence will be examined by an Accreditation Panel.
The benefits of the scheme are at least threefold – for the council itself, its community and partners and to the sector as a whole. The council itself will have an independent assessment and evidence of improved performance with policies in place for development. It will have independent recognition of commitment and hard work and an assurance that it is up-to-date and progressive. The community and partners will have evidence to inspire confidence that the council is delivering to a national standard. The sector as a whole will benefit from the enhanced reputation of local councils demonstrating achievements and commitment to improvement.
Full details of the Award Scheme and an application form are available on www.nalc.gov.uk
Parish & Town Councils with an award under the new scheme
| Quality Scheme | Town/Parish Council | Awarded |
| Quality Gold | Ampthill Town Council | April 2015 |
| Leighton Linslade Town Council | January 2017 | |
| Quality | Wootton Parish Council | November 2016 |
| Foundation | Aspley Guise Parish Council | March 2016 |
| Biggleswade Town Council | December 2016 | |
| Brickhill Parish Council | December 2015 | |
| Cople Parish Council | March 2016 | |
| Langford Parish Council | December 2015 | |
| Northill Parish Council | October 2018 | |
| Sandy Town Council | February 2016 |