NALC announces Star Council Awards 2025/26 finalists
We are thrilled to announce the prestigious Star Council Awards finalists. After an exhaustive evaluation process, our expert panel of judges has selected these exceptional individuals, parish and town councils and county associations as the best in their respective categories.
The Star Council Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the parish and town council sector, and this year's finalists have genuinely exemplified these qualities. We received a record number of nominations from across the country, showcasing the remarkable achievements and contributions within the sector.
This year's finalists are:
Council of the Year
- Oswestry Town Council, Shropshire
- Saffron Walden Town Council, Essex
- Saxmundham Town Council, Suffolk
- Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, Wiltshire
- Ware Town Council, Hertfordshire
Councillor of the Year
- Cllr Jonathan Dryland, North Cerney Parish Council in Gloucestershire
- Cllr Kevin Fincher, Norton Juxta Kempsey Parish Council in Worcestershire
- Cllr Lesley Hill, Leiston Town Council in Suffolk
- Cllr Alex Volkers, Forest Row Parish Council in East Sussex
- Cllr Peter Wagg, Nazeing Parish Council in Essex
Young Councillor of the Year
- Cllr Caitlin Brennan, Keynsham Town Council in Avon
- Cllr Luke Maunsell, Keighley Town Council in Yorkshire
- Cllr Connor Mulhall, Wetherby Town Council in Yorkshire
- Cllr Alex Rowe, Gittisham Parish Council in Devon
- Cllr Alex Wagner, Shrewsbury Town Council in Shropshire
Climate Response of the Year
- Corsham Town Council, Wiltshire
- Felixstowe Town Council, Suffolk
- Henley-on-Thames Town Council, Oxfordshire
- Petersfield Town Council, Hampshire
- Portishead Town Council, Avon
County Association of the Year
- Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils
- Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils
- Somerset Association of Local Councils
- Suffolk Association of Local Councils
- Surrey Association of Local Councils
Clerk of the Year
- Louise Bareham, Faversham Town Council in Kent
- Sarah Haydon, Biddulph Town Council in Staffordshire
- Ryan Hayman, Swanley Town Council in Kent
- Stacie Lockey, Flitwick Town Council in Bedfordshire
- Jennie Thomas, Stone Parish Council in Kent
These finalists represent the pinnacle of achievement in the sector, and their dedication to excellence is truly commendable. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of them for reaching this significant milestone.
The winners of the Star Council Awards will be announced at our Parliamentary Reception on 24 February 2026 at the House of Lords. The event promises to be a memorable celebration of the outstanding contributions made by these finalists.
Clear Councils Insurance, Blachere Illumination, CCLA, Cloudy IT, Civic.ly, Unity Trust Bank and Utility Aid sponsor this year's Star Council Awards.
