Local Council Award Scheme

The Local Council Award Scheme has been designed to celebrate the successes of the very best local councils, and to provide a framework to support all local councils to improve and develop to meet their full potential. The scheme offers councils the opportunity to show that they meet the standards set by the sector, assessed by their peers, and to put in place the conditions for continued improvement.

The Scheme provides both 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 will reach its full potential.

Councils can apply for an award at one of three levels: -

•   Foundation – which demonstrates a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice

•   Quality – which demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement

•   Quality Gold – which demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development

For more information on the Award Scheme visit the National Association of Local Councils website

There are currently 7 councils in Cheshire East which hold awards under the Local Council Award Scheme, they are: -

Training Bursary

To help local councils improve their services the Cheshire Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) offers a training bursary. This enables its members to access training opportunities they may not otherwise have access to. For more information or to complete an application visit the SLCC website http://www.slcccheshire.co.uk/training-bursary

Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC)

Officers at Cheshire East Council are encouraged to regularly liaise with and involve officers at the Cheshire Association of Local Councils https://www.chalc.org.uk/ This is a member-based organisation representing the interests of local councils and providing information and advice to those members. The Council and ChALC work together to promote high standards of ethical behaviour across the borough.

Contact: Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer, ChALC, Park View Business Centre, Combermere, Whitchurch, Shropshire (Telephone: 01948 871314).