Astley Village Parish Council meets the standard and is awarded Quality Status...

The Certificate was presented to the Chairman, John Lawson by the Chief Executive of Chorley Council Donna Hall. Also attending on a lovely Spring afternoon infront of Astley Hall was Cllr Dennis Sewards (left), Cllr Catherine Bates and the Clerk, Debra Platt (right).

Astley Village Parish Council Chairman, John Lawson says “The Parish Council gaining Quality Status was a proud moment for me and the Council. It has worked hard over the last few years to update and improve the Council’s service to the village in line with Quality requirements.“

“The final elements of the required criteria to apply for status were completed in 2007, when the Clerk gained her Quality Clerk certificate known as the CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration); it gained a fully elected Council and later in the year the Council completed its first year of publishing the Council’s newsletter, quarterly.”

Some background is included below about the Quality Parish Council Scheme.

Quality Status

The Quality Parish and Town Council scheme was launched in June 2003, following the publication of the Government's Rural White Paper, 2000. The scheme is designed to provide benchmark minimum standards for parish and town councils, and enable them to better represent the communities they serve. The scheme also aims to enhance relationships between local councils, principal authorities and community and voluntary sector organisations.

In order to achieve Quality Status, parish and town councils must demonstrate that they have reached the standard required by passing several tests including;

• Electoral mandate
• Qualifications of the clerk
• Council meetings
• Communications
• Annual report
• Accounts
• Code of conduct

The tests exceed the statutory duties of parish and town councils and represent the standards that an efficient, well run parish council should achieve. The Quality Scheme is currently under review, and we await the Government's proposals on its future development.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the concept of Quality Parish and Town Councils come from?

The Rural White Paper ‘Our Countryside: The Future, a Fair Deal for Rural England, published in November 2000, recognised the important role of the first tier of local government and proposed a number of initiatives designed to enhance the role of parish and town councils. Subsequently, in June 2003 the Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme was launched.

What are the aims of the scheme?

The three main aims are;

1.To provide a benchmark of standards for parish and town councils;

2. Enable them to work more closely with partners in the delivery of services

3. Enable them to more effectively represent their communities.

How many Quality Parish and Town Councils are there?

From approximately 8,700 Parish Councils around the Country, currently there are 533 Quality councils (Jan 08) but the figures are rising every day.

Criteria

What type of tests does a council have to pass to become a Quality council?

In order to achieve Quality status, parish/town councils have to complete a number of tests. These tests are split largely into seven categories;

1. Electoral Mandate;

2. Qualifications of the Clerk;

3. Council Meetings;

4. Communication;

5. Annual Reports;

6. Accounts

7. Ethical Framework

The tests are designed to ensure that the town/parish council is functioning as an effective, representative and active council.

How long does the Quality status last for? When does a council need to re-accredited?

If a parish council is successful and is awarded Quality status, the accreditation process lasts for four years and up to three months from the date of notification. Applications for re-accreditation may not be made before the four year period expires. Instead there will be a three month ‘grace’ period following the end of the four year period in which a parish wishing to be reaccredited must re-apply.

The Benefits of Quality Status

Quality parish and town councils are not only in a position to show their local communities that they are performing above national minimum standards but they are in a better position to influence the decision making process and/or take on additional services and areas of responsibility, from their principal local authorities.

Who benefits?

The benefits of this scheme affect three groups:

1. the community

2. the parish or town council itself

3. the principal local authority

1) Community benefits:

• local people will know that the council will be well led and is accountable, visible and representative
• more responsive services - the Quality council will be capable of solving local problems with greater authority and have real ownership and control over services and decisions that effects local lives
• real contact and discussions with their Quality council
• a local access point providing information on services

2) Benefits to the parish or town council itself:

• greater credibility in the eyes of the local community, voluntary and private sectors and principal local authorities
• greater civic pride
• more representative of the local community
• better ability to articulate the needs and wishes of the local community
• it will achieve more by working in partnership with other organisations
• able to demonstrate that it is effectively and properly managed which will install greater confidence in the community
• delivery of more local services - if the council wishes to
• greater involvement by the voluntary and community sector and principal local authorities, e.g. developing parish plans, market town health checks etc
• a better informed community
• a well trained clerk, through the Certificate in Local Council Administration
• possible more powers and funding in the future

3) Principal Authority benefits

• reassurance that the Quality council has been independently assessed and is therefore capable of working with the principal authority and can deliver services on their behalf or in partnership
• reliable evidence of the competence of the Quality council, through the four year re-assessment process
• proof that the Quality council is willing and able to be fully involved in local issues (this will be particularly valuable when implementing new initiatives)
• stronger partnership working, with the town or parish council bringing their local perspective and experience to the table. Quality councils should be more innovative and pro-active, and will want to share their ideas and experiences
• increased confidence that the quality council is representative, competent, well managed and therefore capable of taking on and sustaining an enhanced role