Local Council Award Scheme

Hythe Town Council are submitting an application for best practice by looking to achieve the Quality Gold Award in the Local Council Award Scheme.

The Local Council Award Scheme was established in 2014 by Her Majesty’s Government in partnership with the National Association of Local Councils and the Society of Local Council Clerks.

The scheme was designed to provide a model framework in which local councils are benchmarked for their work using standardised criteria set by the Improvement and Development Board.

The awards recognise those who meet and surpass these expectations after rigorous and thorough peer review.

The Accreditation Panel, an external group of Councillors, Clerks and independent co-ordinators assess each application against the criteria, and if met, will award the following:

Foundation Award

A council that meets the minimum standards set by HM Government to deliver effectively to their communities. A benchmark for continued development and improvement. It is the Government’s aspiration that all Local Councils reach this award as a minimum standard.

Quality Award

A council that achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and improvement. A council performing above and beyond legal obligations, while meeting all requirements of the Foundation Award.

Quality Gold Award

A council at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and performance management, while constantly seeking opportunities to improve at the cutting edge of their sector. The council must also meet the full criteria for both the Foundation and Quality Awards.

Receiving the Quality Gold Award will be an excellent achievement, it’s a recognition of the Council’s commitment and hard work.