CiLCA and Quality Status

CiLCA and the link to Quality Parish Status (QPS)

The Rural White Paper introduced the Quality Parish Status, a benchmark of quality for all parish and town councils to aim for. The scheme was launched in 2003 and for a parish council to to achieve QPS it must meet a number of criteria, one of which is to demonstrate the core skills of the clerk.

CiLCA

CiLCA has been designed as the test for a 'qualified clerk' as part of the Quality scheme. Holders of the University of Gloucestershire Cert HE in Local Policy will also meet the 'qualified clerk' test.

It is recognised that clerks who hold a range of other academic management and professional qualifications may be perfectly well qualified, but only the Certificate in Local Council Administration or the local policy certificate HE or Local Policy degree, specifically tests candidates against a list of core skills, which reflects the role of a parish clerk.

Can our deputy clerk take the Certificate and help our parish get QPS?

No. Guidance on QPS clearly states that the Proper Officer for the council must  meet the qualified clerk test. All clerks are actively encouraged to attain the Certificate.