Aon/NALC Council of the Year 2006

25 September 2006

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) would like to congratulate Burgess Hill Town Council, Sussex on winning the Aon/NALC Council of the Year 2006. Burgess Hill received their award at the NALC National Conference in Liverpool on 23 September 2006. The joint runners up in the competition were Blakelaw and North Fenham Parish Council and East Grinstead Town Council.

Councillor Tony Balsdon, chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council, said: "We are delighted to receive the recognition of Council of the Year. This marks the achievement of many years of work to implement a long-held vision of the Council, which is based on three principles.

"Firstly, listening to the people of Burgess Hill and trying to deliver what they want. Secondly, developing a range of excellent partnerships, particularly with West Sussex County Council, Mid Sussex District Council and our neighbouring parish councils. Finally, first class delivery by our highly committed staff team.

"Whilst we are delighted to accept this award we will not be resting on our laurels. There are many challenges ahead and we intend to carry on breaking new ground in the delivery of high quality public services at the local level."

Professor John Raine, University of Birmingham, a judge on the panel, said: "The applications from the winning councils clearly demonstrated the work they have done in the past year and the real difference that this has made to the community. Burgess Hill in particular demonstrated the drive and initiative to make a difference on the ground."

Peter Lawrence, associate director, Aon said: "Aon Limited have worked together with the first tier of local government to provide for their insurance in a partnership which goes back more than 40 years. With the success of the Clerk of the Year award, Aon and NALC launched the Council of Year competition in 2002. This year we are pleased to be able to contribute £500 towards a community project in the winning council area. We look forward to seeing the benefits of this money in the local area."

Notes for Editors

The National Association of Local Councils is the national representative body for 10,000 community, parish and town councils throughout England and Wales. In all, there are over 100,000 community, parish and town councillors throughout England and Wales. These councillors, who serve electorates ranging from small rural communities to major cities, are all independently elected. The councils have powers to raise their own funds through council tax. Community, parish and town councils provide employment for over 25,000 staff while their annual expenditure exceeds £400 million.

Together, they can be identified as the nation's single most influential grouping of grassroots opinion-formers. Over 15 million people live in communities served by 10,000 community, parish and town councils nationally - this represents up to 30% of the population. Over 150 new community, parish and town councils have been created since 1997.

For more information contact: Alan Jones on 020 7290 0316 or alan.jones@nalc.gov.uk 

2. Aon has worked with NALC to provide insurance for parish, town and community councils in England and Wales for over forty years. The present scheme, which is underwritten by Cornhill Insurance, comprises a broad package of covers specially designed to meet the particular needs of Local Councils. More than 6,000 local councils currently use the scheme. Aon is a world leader in risk management, insurance broking, reinsurance and human resources consulting services. For further details about the NALC scheme contact Peter Lawrence at Aon, Redhill (0845 753 7070).

3. The NALC/Aon awards have been launched to recognise outstanding achievements in first tier local government. The winners received their awards at the Conference dinner in Liverpool.