NALC launch new Star Councils 2015 awards

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced on 27 February 2015 that it will once again be running an awards programme this year, as part of its work to recognise the achievements of the local (parish and town) council sector.

The NALC Star Councils awards will celebrate the individual achievements of Local councillors, council officers and council workers as well as of local councils and County Associations of Local Councils as a whole. Specific projects and exemplary digital communications will also be recognised with separate award categories.

NALC’s Star Councils awards have some great prizes up for grabs for the lucky winners. All winners will have the honour of collecting their prizes at an awards ceremony later this year.

It is widely recognised that the vast majority of local councils are delivering great services and acting as a voice for their local communities on a day-to-day basis. It is in honour of this, that the NALC Star Councils awards are being held this year.

NALC is looking for good practice from the local council sector regardless of size or location. It is looking for individuals and organisations that are really making a difference in their community.

NALC has a history of running awards, with the last taking place in 2010 at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Now five years on and with a new Chief Executive and strategic plan, the body is in a position to run a similar scheme, this time with more award categories.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now being called for with entries due in by 30 June 2015 and the awards event taking place in October 2015. Details of the awards event in October will be released later this year. 

Cllr Ken Browse, chairman of NALC said: “These Star Councils awards are set to be the biggest event in the local council calendar in 2015. They will recognise the very best in local councils, councillors, officers and workers with these bodies recognised for their achievements in representing and delivering for communities.

Challenging financial times demand innovative approaches to protect community service delivery and representation. These awards reward those councils, councillors, officer and workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty good to deliver excellence.”

The nine award categories are Young Councillor (Aged 18-30), Clerk, Councillor, Chair, Council Worker, Digital Communications, CALC Outstanding Project, Local Council Outstanding Project and Council of the Year.