The Local Council Award Scheme celebrates the achievements of outstanding local councils and provides a structured framework to support all councils in reaching their full potential.
The scheme allows councils to demonstrates that they meet sector standards, assessed by peer review, and establishes a foundation for ongoing improvement. Designed to offer both guidance and motivation, the Award Scheme supports councils at all stages - from those starting on their improvement journey to those leading the way with innovative practices.
By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and raising standards, the scheme empowers councils and the sector to better serve their communities and achieve excellence.
Councils can apply for an award at one of three levels:
The Bronze Award demonstrates that a council meets the requirements for operating lawfully and according to standard practice.
The Silver Award demonstrates that a council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement.
The Gold Award demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.
Register
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Great stories have a personality. Consider telling a great story that provides personality. Writing a story with personality for potential clients will assist with making a relationship connection. This shows up in small quirks like word choices or phrases. Write from your point of view, not from someone else's experience.
Great stories are for everyone even when only written for just one person. If you try to write with a wide, general audience in mind, your story will sound fake and lack emotion. No one will be interested. Write for one person. If it’s genuine for the one, it’s genuine for the rest.
Pathway to LCAS
employment
Prepare a plan
Make yourself familiar with the different levels, by reading what is required you will have a better idea of which level you want to apply for.
Identify a date when you feel you will be ready to apply checking the dates etc.,panel dates for coming year.
Gap audit of what is missing and create an action plan to fill the gaps.
create a proposal for your council - background, resources etc., time cost, benefits,
set yourself an achieveable target
LINK WITH GPOC once a qualified clerk - benefits of that - examples, case studies etc.
NEW BOX
celebrate your success - issue a press release, take photos, let your community know etc., social media, local radio (Suffolk Sound), local press - ADD TO YOUR WEBSITE, ADD TO YOUR EMAIL FOOTERS, STATIONERY ETC.,
Support from SALC
IDENTIFYNG THE GAPS -
SEE FORM WITH LINKS TO WHERE TO ACCESS INFORMATION/GUIDANCE/TEMPLATES
other support
after speaking to Essex add more here, after speaking with Ash - add more here
SALC - reminders will be embedded in core training events including CiLCA, cllr and clerk basics
CASE STUDIES - Stowmarket, Mildenhall, Gt Waldringfield, Oulton
SUPPORT FROM NALC
website
add events - how to create a successful etc., or we ask them to do one for us in 2025.
let SALC know and we will add to our newsletter, website - consider applying for council of the year et.c, Suffolk Community Awards
SALC TO PROVIDE LOGOS - SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (MEDIA PACK FOR LCAS)
continual improve - BRONZE - plan to work towards silver to gold. If you are gold, continual improve framework DISCUSS WITH DAVID
timeline - from start to finish
application point
planning
alignment - eg CiLCA 1 year for that. elected members so 4 year plan
RENEWAL
We describe development plans for year two onwards as "options" for clerks / officers as this can vary depending on the size of your local council and the services they offer. add to your own timeline calendar, workplan etc., as a prompt. SALC identified accreditations, triggers at 12 months before due to elapse, 6months month - when elapsed - call and say why, what, how
ASH COMMENTS AND SEE STOWMARKET COMMENTS AND ASK MILDENHALL AND GT WALDRINGFIELD -
FURTHER TRAINING
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Finance
VAT for VAT registered councils
VAT partial exemption
VAT for unregistered councils
Internal Controls
Procurement -
Safeguarding
Available through Community Action Suffolk - link to website -
E-learning
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
Health and Safety
Mental Health
Information security
Modern slavery
Leadership
Customer services
Anti-money laundering
Environmental awareness
FURTHER READING - MORE DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS
SUFFOLK NETWORKING
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Be aware of SALC area forums and encourage your councillors to go
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Attend SALC climate forum, visit dedicated page to watch on-demand
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Community Action Suffolk services
Volunteering
Insurance
Village Halls
Community support
NATIONAL NETWORKING
Find out about a wide range of NALC networks using this link, which include:
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climate emergency
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coastal communities
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LGBT+ councillors
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super councillors
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women councillors
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young councillors
COMMUNICATIONS
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Make sure you read our weekly e-bulletins and cascade to councillors. These contain local and national updates which are important for the council to be aware of and often require action.
Qualification routes
The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) offer the option of a qualification route which some clerks/officers might prefer to take as part of their personal development plans or mix with the above pathway to get the best of both. Any formal qualification requires careful planning and good time management alongside commitment from your council both financially and general support to help you succeed.
Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)
SALC is a registered training provider for CiLCA and offers unit-based workshops throughout the year including our preparing for CiLCA session - essential to attend if you are considering undertaking this qualification. Find out more details on the member portal under "events".
Use this link to access more information on the SLCC website
Community Governance
Community Governance explores how individuals and organisations collaborate and make decisions for the betterment of their local community. This advanced qualification is awarded by De Montfort University (DMU) and prestigious institution awarded Gold under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The qualification offers:
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A certificate of Higher Education (Level 4)
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Foundation Degree (Level 5)
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Honours Degree (Level 6)
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MA in Public Leadership (Level 7)