Local Council Award Scheme -

Quality

To achieve the quality award a council demonstrates that it meets all requirements of the foundation award and has additional documentation and information in place for good governance, effective community engagement and council improvement. The quality award criteria include the eligibility criteria for the general power of competence.

Download the latest guidance, application form and panel dates here. 

The council confirms by resolution at a full council meeting that it meets all requirements for the Foundation Award and that it also publishes on its website:

Criteria demonstrating good governance in managing the business and finances of a council: 

  • Draft minutes of all council and committee meetings within four weeks of the last meeting

  • A Health and Safety policy

  • Its policy on equality

  • A scheme of delegation (where relevant)

Criteria representing a council’s role in the community and how it engages with the community

  • A community engagement policy involving two-way communication between council and community

  • Councillor profiles

  • A grant awarding policy

  • Evidence showing how electors contribute to the Annual Parish or Town Meeting

  • An action plan and related budget responding to community engagement and setting out a timetable for action and review

  • Evidence of community engagement, council activities and the promotion of democratic processes in an annual report, online material and regular news bulletins

  • Evidence of helping the community plan for its future

  • At least two-thirds of its councillors who stood for election

  • An annual report that is actively shared with the community

  • Evidence of a customer service in how the council handles correspondence with the public

Criteria representing council improvement through the management and development of staff and councillors

  • A qualified clerk

  • A formal appraisal process for all staff

  • A training policy and record for all staff and councillors

Fees

Registration fee: £50. 

Accreditation fee: 

Annual income under £25,000 - £80

Annual income over £25,000 - £100

All fees are payable to NALC.

How to Apply

You can apply for any award level - you don't need to start at Foundation

Step 1: Register with NALC 

You do not need to have all the criteria in place at this stage, you are simply registering your interest in taking part in the scheme

Step 2: have the criteria prepared and in place, confirm this in a public meeting

Step 3: send your completed application form to NALC

The council notifies the accreditation panel co-ordinator when the resolution has been agreed and provides a completed application form, including webpage addresses to where the information can be found online.

For panel dates and more information click here