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NALC makes changes to its Local Council Award Scheme criteria
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has completed its review and updated its Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) criteria.
The review, which began in August last year, looked at the criteria and evidence required for all three levels (Foundation, Quality and Quality Gold). The process included a survey sent to NALC members to explore what parts of the criteria needed updating. A focus group, which included the Society of Local Council Clerks, county associations and local (parish and town) councils further examined how to incorporate the survey feedback into the final criteria.
The final criteria have new additions such as website accessibility to comply with The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Climate change to support NALC's critical campaign and encourage local councils to declare a climate emergency, and a focus on customer service to improve standards and relations with the public.
Applications submitted to the LCAS will need to meet the updated criteria requirements, which will be effective from 8 February 2021.
Launched in 2015, the LCAS is a nationally recognised improvement and development initiative to help local councils fulfil their potential and celebrate their achievements.