Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council achieves Quality Gold Level.
The Local Council Award Scheme 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. All local councils want to serve their local communities and make a real difference to the lives of the people that live there. This 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 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 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.
Quality Gold Level Award achieved March 2019 and was re-accredited with the Award in June 2023
During March 2019, less than 18 months from achieving Quality level (see report below), Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council submitted it application to be awarded the Quality Level Award. In its report, the Accreditation Panel stated:
“The Accreditation Panel met on the 25th March at Shirehall to consider the application during which the Panel was able to view the information on the Council’s website and copies of other documentation submitted.
The Accreditation Panel would like to thank Councillor Mike Dinsdale and Carole Warner, your Clerk for attending the meeting and for their excellent presentation and help in answering questions raised.
The Panel commend the council on the high, professional standard that they have attained. The council’s Action Plan identifies their continuing work which will bring substantial improvements within the community.
It is evident from the council’s extensive list of achievements that they are passionate about their community, which includes securing funding for 3 defibrillators and awarding 2 Community Service Awards. The Panel were particularly warmed by ‘Our Gallant 35’, a project dedicated to 35 people from the parish who fell during the war (1914 – 1918). This project highlighted the community’s dedication in working together, to produce and deliver an incredible outcome which brought visitors from far and wide, many of whom had links with the ‘Gallant 35’.
The Panel were inspired to hear that each of the councillors go the extra mile by taking a lead in at least one area.
It was clear to the Panel that the Clerk was highly motivated and worked to a high, professional standard. Her enthusiasm and passion for the community has no doubt been a motivator to encourage the councillors to be likewise.
I am delighted to write to you on behalf of the Panel, to confirm their recommendation, that the Council receive the Quality Gold Award.”
In March 2023, the Parish Council submitted its application to be re-accredited. In its report the Accreditation Panel stated:
“The Accreditation Panel would like to thank Councillors Stringer, Bland and Holland and Carole Warner, your Clerk for the excellent presentation and response to questions raised.
The Panel commend the Council once again on the high, professional standard that they have maintained which they considered was even of a higher standard than that of four years ago.
It is evident from the Council’s extensive list of achievements, particularly on their engagement with the community, as demonstrated in the presentation that they are passionate about the work they do. Of note was their professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment to team working. Their commitment to training, ongoing professional development and programme of self -review of their performance was commendable, and it was also good to hear of the successful induction process for new councillors that the Clerk had put in place.
The Panel was particularly impressed with the way that the Council has built on its achievements from the previous Quality Gold Award.
It was clear to the Panel that the Clerk continued to be highly motivated and worked to a high, professional standard which is no doubt a lead that councillors likewise follow.
The Panel stated that the Council should be proud of its achievements and suggested more on this might be included on the new website once this was set up.
I am delighted to write to you on behalf of the Panel, to confirm, once again, their recommendation, that the Council receive the Quality Gold Award.”
Quality Level Award achieved in January 2018
During November 2017, Welshampton and Lyneal Parish Council submitted it application to be awarded the Quality Level Award. In its report, the Accreditation Panel stated:
“The Accreditation Panel would like to thank Councillor Mike Dinsdale and Carole Warner, your Clerk for attending the meeting and for their informative presentation and help in answering questions raised. The Panel congratulate the Council on the clarity of its website, where information on the required criteria was easily accessible. Of note was the helpful information introducing the various topics. The Council’s newsletters, all posted on line and delivered to every household were of exceptionally high standard, containing evidence of community engagement and promotion of elections. A number of parish meetings had been held to involve residents in matters of significant change affecting the parish. The Panel noted particularly the successful campaign to keep open the village school.
The Panel were impressed with the high professional standards resulting from councillors and clerk working together to achieve outcomes which they describe as a shining light of good practice.”
Before the February 2018 Council meeting, Dianne Dorrell, County Secretary Shropshire Association of Local Council, presented the Award Certificate to the Parish Council.
